Yoga is being increasingly explored within scientific fields for its physical and psychological benefits, particularly within cancer survivorship. A scoping review examining the effects of yoga on immune systems, evidenced that “yoga interventions significantly improve immune responses in patients with cancer by reducing inflammatory cytokines, enhancing NK cell counts, and modulating gene expression”.
As an intervention within cancer care, yoga has practical benefits of being non-invasive, largely self-directed and low impact- meaning that many cancer patients can opt-into yoga therapy at diverse stages of their cancer journey.
Men make up less than 20% of yoga participants, with yoga studios often perceived as women’s only spaces. Whilst some argue that yoga studios need to actively promote more to men, the evidence supporting yoga as a therapeutic wellness strategy for men cannot be overlooked.
Does yoga improve men’s health following prostate cancer?
A systematic review of yoga as a complementary therapy in prostate cancer survivors published in the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer has revealed a number of key findings which may change how we see yoga within men’s health.
The researchers in this paper examined a total of 5 studies specifically on yoga and men with prostate cancer. A summary of the results and themes are contained below.
Quality of life
- All studies examined quality of life (QoL) outcomes in men with prostate cancer.
- Yoga interventions showed significant improvements in physical, emotional and social wellbeing in most studies (but not all).
Erectile dysfunction
- Men who attended yoga sessions generally reported no statistical improvements in erectile dysfunction.
- One study did show significant improvements in sexual function for prostate cancer survivors who attended outpatient radiotherapy compared to a control group.
- Similarly, men who attended 6 weeks of yoga prior to a radical prostatectomy, reported no significant improvements in sexual function in another study.
Fatigue
- 4 of the 5 studies examined the effect of yoga on fatigue in men with prostate cancer.
- Improvements in fatigue were reported across most studies, with statistically significant findings.
- These findings correlate with other cancer studies which have reported improvements in fatigue levels after commencement of yoga.
Urinary continence
- 4 of 5 studies used a variety of assessment measures to ascertain the effectiveness of yoga on urinary issues following prostate cancer treatment.
- Patients broadly reported an overall improvement in urinary continence over time following yoga therapy.
- It is theorised that yoga exercises which strengthen pelvic floor muscles, contribute significantly to better reported urinary control.
Immune response
- One study examined immune response and function following 6-weeks of yoga therapy. This study showed increased immune function and a reduction in inflammation.
Psychological outcomes
- One study reported an improvement in mood and decreased levels of stress in prostate cancer men who completed 14-weeks of yoga practices.
Study conclusion
Yoga within these studies was broadly shown to reduce fatigue levels, improve urinary function, improve immune response and contribute to better quality of life outcomes in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. The results of this systematic review highlighted that more research into the yoga and men with prostate cancer ought to be considered by practitioners.
Expert Opinion: Luke Herzog, Principal Physiotherapist-Duke Men’s Health, Senior Physiotherapist- St Vincent’s Nelune Men’s Health Centre, B.App.Sc. (Ex. & Sport Sc.), M.Phty.
There is an exciting and growing body of evidence supporting the role of exercise, including yoga, in managing symptoms associated with prostate cancer – particularly cancer-related fatigue, which is consistently reported as one of the most distressing and life-limiting side effects of treatment. Physiologically, exercise can enhance immune surveillance and reduce chronic systemic inflammation, which help create a less tumour-favourable environment. This in turn may contribute to slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Current exercise guidelines for individuals living with and beyond prostate cancer recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with two to three resistance-based sessions targeting large muscle groups. While yoga is not always classified as aerobic or resistance training, many styles do include strength-based postures, sustained muscle engagement, and balance challenges.
For men who are deconditioned, fatigued, or hesitant to engage in traditional gym-based programs, yoga can serve as an accessible and non-intimidating alternative that meets many of these movement goals while also offering psychological benefits such as stress reduction and mood improvement.
Of particular note is yoga’s potential role in improving urinary incontinence, a common consequence of prostate cancer treatment. From a physiotherapy perspective, many yoga postures activate the deep core musculature, including the pelvic floor muscles, which are integral to bladder control.
Through controlled movement, breathing, and mindfulness, yoga enhances neuromuscular coordination, pelvic floor awareness, and muscle endurance, which are all critical to regaining continence. This mechanism mirrors conventional pelvic floor muscle training, a gold-standard approach in physiotherapy for incontinence. So why not give it a go – your body (and even your bladder) might just thank you for it!
To find out more about Luke’s work at Duke Men’s Health, click the link here
