#HealthBytes: Sexual Performance Anxiety - Causes, symptoms, and treatments
A satisfying sex life results in overall emotional, physical, and mental well-being of a couple. However, if you're anxious about how well you're doing in bed, it might hinder your pleasure and satisfaction levels. Performance anxiety is a psychological problem, many men suffer from. Here's all you need to know about the issue - its causes, symptoms, and potential treatment methods.
What leads to Sexual Performance Anxiety
Here are some common causes that lead to sexual anxiety performance: 1) Emotional issues in your relationship with your sexual partner. 2) Body image issues, like concerns over your weight. 3) Fear of not being able to satisfy your partner. 4) Concerns over genital size or appearance. 5) Concerns over problems like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction (ED) or the inability to reach an orgasm.
Signs and symptoms of Sexual Performance Anxiety
Many undesirable physical and mental conditions could be signs for sexual performance anxiety. Some of the most common among these are lack of pleasure during sex, reduced blood flow to the penis, erectile problems, stress, and depression.
Try medications or consult a therapist
First thing you should do is to see your doctor and discuss honestly about your sex life and performance anxiety. Medications: As long as the underlying causes of performance anxiety are physical, like ED or premature ejaculation, certain medications can help. Therapy: If physical causes are not the reason, talk to a therapist or counselor to discuss with and address your bedtime performance anxiety.
Talk to your partner; Try alternate intimacy
Talk to your partner: Bring up what's going in your mind, with your partner. Sharing the problem will ease your worries and the two of you might be able to draw out effective solutions. Alternate intimacy: Look at ways of intimacy other than sexual intercourse. Try massaging, bathing together, or an impromptu vacation as they will take the pressure of sexual performance off you.
Start exercising; Try voluntary distraction
Exercise: Needless to say, physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Exercising can help deal with sexual anxiety, as it is known to improve body image, boost confidence, and enhance sexual stamina. Voluntary distraction: Distracting yourself during sex with some sensual music, film or simply arousing thoughts can help you manage performance anxiety up to some extent.
