What is Performance Anxiety?

Performance anxiety is a condition in which men feel particularly nervous about having sex. The anxiety surrounding sex can be for a variety of reasons, including body-image, self-esteem, worries about satisfying their partner, or lasting long enough. This anxiety can impact your sex life, contributing to erectile dysfunction or in some cases premature ejaculation. If these conditions occur, the anxiety may become heightened around sex, exacerbating the problem.

What does performance anxiety do to the body?

During moments of stress, the body releases a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol does various things to the body, including tightening the blood vessels. As erections rely on blood flow to the penis, this restricted flow can make it difficult to obtain or maintain an erection.

What can I do about performance anxiety?

There are two primary approaches to overcoming performance anxiety: medication and psychological therapy. Medications such as Viagra and Cialis can help you to obtain and sustain an erection. This can help to reduce any anxiety about obtaining an erection, but can also help you achieve a more satisfying sex life. Psychological therapies, such as counselling or CBT, can be used to help you explore the root causes of your performance anxiety. This is more of a long-term cure than medication, as it should help resolve the problems underlying the condition. You can learn techniques to reduce your stress, better communicate with your partner and to control your anxiety levels. It is possible to use a combination of medication and psychological approaches, to solve the short-term and the long-term problems.

Can women experience performance anxiety?

Performance anxiety also affects women, although as women do not need to obtain an erection, to have sex, it often causes less of a problem to their sex life. Women with performance anxiety may find it very difficult to become aroused, to enjoy sex or to orgasm. In some more severe cases, performance anxiety can cause muscles around the vagina to tighten, which can make penetration difficult or painful. A doctor may recommend psychological therapy, as well as the use of vaginal inserts of increasing sizes to help the person become used to penetration.

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