When an individual is constantly anxious, fearful or insecure about his or her sexual performance it is called sexual performance anxiety. Many factors trigger sexual performance anxiety such as worries over sexual ability, low self-esteem, issues within a relationship, stress and disappointing sexual encounters.
It is important to control anxiety to enjoy a healthy sex life with one’s partner. However, if the above-mentioned symptoms persist and start affecting day-to-day activities or the relationship, it is essential to consult a medical professional such as a doctor, psychologist, sex therapist or another qualified professional to establish the root cause of the problem and seek treatment.
Sexual performance anxiety has a range of symptoms that significantly impact an individual’s sex life. The common symptoms are:
- Loss of interest in sex
- Inability to become or remain aroused
- Inability to have or maintain an erection
- Premature ejaculation
- Worrying and being distracted during sexual activity
Women can also experience:
- Inability to become aroused
- Lack of vaginal lubrication
- Painful intercourse
Causes of Performance Anxiety in a Sexual Relationship
Healthy sexual activity is an essential part of a relationship. However, when an individual is overwhelmed by relationship problems, work stress and other issues, individuals can become tense and unable to enjoy sex which causes sexual performance anxiety.
The common causes of sexual performance anxiety are:
- Fear of not living up to a partner’s expectations
- Performance anxiety
- Bodily image insecurity
- Arguments and conflicts
- Penis size
- Premature ejaculation
- Negative past sexual experiences
- Work and life stresses
Sexual performance anxiety can also arise as the result of body image insecurities, fear of failure or lack of self-confidence.
Individuals with performance anxiety can also experience difficulty reaching orgasm due to tension and stress. When individuals are stressed or tense the body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline which in turn affect sexual response.
Here Are Various Therapies for Sexual Performance Anxiety
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is a psycho social intervention and type of psychotherapy that helps individuals to overcome disturbing emotions, unwanted thoughts and maladaptive behaviours that are likely to affect an individual’s relationship, daily activities, social interactions or sexual functioning. Sexual performance anxiety can arise from relationship issues, self-esteem problems, poor body image, sex and intimacy issues, psychological factors or other causes. However, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is only effective when the individual engages in the therapy.
This type of therapy helps individuals to identify the thoughts and emotions that lead to unwanted actions or events and take corrective measures to change them. The therapy is used to treat a wide range of psychological problems including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and phobias. In this case, CBT can help the individual to overcome sexual performance anxiety by eliminating negative thoughts and emotions that trigger the uncontrollable urge to perform sexually. This therapy is also beneficial because it is short-term and action-oriented.
CBT can also help the individual develop coping strategies to deal with sexual performance anxiety. The individual learns how to engage in effective communication and manage stress levels to achieve psychological stability and enjoy a healthy sex life.
Marriage or Couple’s Counselling
Couple’s therapy is also effective in treating sexual performance anxiety. This type of therapy is aimed at helping individuals to overcome relationship issues, achieve emotional stability and improve sexual intimacy.
How Couple’s Therapy Helps in Overcoming Sexual Performance Anxiety
- Improves understanding and friendship
- Helps couples to solve conflicts
- Addresses sexual intimacy issues
- Helps partners to understand each other’s fears and concerns
- Encourage open and effective communication
- Helps couples to develop strategies to solve problems
- Improves emotional intimacy
- Helps couples to overcome relationship obstacles
- Builds trust and connection
- Reconnect couples who have lost emotional contact
Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps individuals to overcome sexual problems. Sex therapy explores sexual concerns that relate to sexual intimacy, sexual performance and other related issues. Individuals who experience sexual performance anxiety, low sexual desire, difficulties with sexual arousal and orgasm, relationship problems, sexual concerns, anxiety, low self- esteem and erectile dysfunction can consult a qualified sex therapist to overcome sexual performance anxiety.
What Does Sex Therapy Involve?
The sex therapist helps the individual to identify the root cause of sexual performance anxiety and develop effective ways to deal with the problem.
Depending on the individual’s sexual concern, sex therapy can help address the following:
- Loss of sexual desire
- Premature ejaculation
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sexual anxiety
- Sexual arousal difficulties
- Lack of sexual self-confidence
- Communication issues
- Sexual and intimacy concerns
Sex therapy is an essential intervention for people who experience sexual performance anxiety due to body image concerns, psychological problems or relationship problems.
Mindfulness and Relational Therapy
Sexual performance anxiety can also be addressed through mindfulness, self-compassion and relaxation. Individuals can work on their fears, anxiety and unwanted thoughts that affect sexual performance by engaging in relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises. Mindfulness helps to eliminate stress and encourages individuals to focus on the present moment and enjoy sex without putting too much pressure on themselves. It is also essential for partners to create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere to enable good sexual intercourse.
Medications
In some cases, medications may be prescribed depending on the root cause of sexual performance anxiety. However, individuals should not take drugs to address sexual performance anxiety on their own. For instance, erectile dysfunction drugs are effective in helping men to maintain an erection but they do not address sexual performance anxiety. A doctor should examine the individual and prescribe the most effective medication to address sexual performance anxiety and identify other underlying health concerns that may be contributing to the problem. It is essential to consult a qualified professional to obtain the most effective treatment for sexual performance anxiety.
