​Yoga is a popular way to relieve stress and build strength and flexibility. Now, research suggests that this ancient practice may help men with prostate cancer cope with the side effects of radiation treatment.

Radiation is an effective therapy, but many men develop sexual and urinary problems during treatment. Fatigue is also quite common.

​In a recent study of 50 prostate cancer patients, men who attended yoga classes during 6 to 9 weeks of external beam radiation therapy were, over time, less fatigued than a comparison group who did no yoga.

​The men in the yoga group also tended to have better erections and urinary function than those who didn't take yoga classes.

​The paper was published as an article in press by the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, and Physics in March.

​Learn more about the study, including the type of yoga and the degrees of improvement, here.