Performance anxiety in sex is a common complaint, but few people are willing to talk about or address it. Those grappling with sexual performance anxiety aren’t helped by a culture of sexual repression.
Researching common causes of anxiety about and during sex is a key step towards how to overcome sexual anxiety. Take a look at the issues most often to blame for nervousness about sex and performance anxiety.
Table of Contents
1. Holding Narrow Ideas of Sex
Plenty of sexually active people are happy with penile/vaginal (P/V) sex in the missionary position. Many aim to procreate instead of having sex for pleasure and/or a love connection. That’s their choice and is fine within their personal sex lives.
What’s not so fine is the pervasive idea that those habits are the “right” way to have sex. Not everyone can or wants to have P/V sex. These standards exclude and shame partners with similar sex organs, countless elderly and disabled people, and others.
Shamefulness and confusion about how to have sex when P/V missionary isn’t an option are often at the root of sexual performance anxiety.
Broadening your idea of sex to include toys, oral sex, mutual masturbation, and other techniques shakes the feeling that you’re doing something wrong. It leads to more enjoyable sex, squashing performance anxiety.
2. Avoiding Mental Health Professionals for Performance Anxiety in Sex
Mental health often affects physical health, and sexual performance anxiety is no different. It may not be a woman’s body, for example, preventing her from orgasming Trauma, incompatible partners, techniques that don’t work for her, or the anxiety itself could all lead to her physical issues.
Talking to a mental health professional can help you understand how your mind affects sexual performance. Once you recognize issues’ causes, you can take steps to address them.
When it comes to seeing mental health professionals about sexual performance, you have a wide range of options to consider. You could see a general counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist on your own. Some other options are individual sex therapy and seeing someone with your sexual partner or partners.
3. Ignoring Physical Sexual Health
Sexual performance struggles aren’t always due to mental health. Often, there’s not a physical barrier to the things most people value during sex.
Don’t resign yourself to whatever gives you grief. Doing your best to ignore it won’t do anything to help the sexual anxiety it causes. Talk to your doctor about what’s going on, because it could be related to another health condition.
Dehydration and various chronic conditions often lead to erectile dysfunction. Fixing the issue could be as simple as drinking more water and electrolytes. Medical professionals can also recommend supplements and prescribe drugs to help the anxiety.
What You Need for a More Enjoyable Life
Knowing these causes of performance anxiety in sex, you can pinpoint what’s afflicting you. With this information, you’ll be able to improve your love life and self-esteem.
If you want more smart tips for a comfortable and enjoyable life, you’re in the right place. Click on another article here on our site for more information that can change your life.
