Sexual performance anxiety is a fear or worry related to sexual activity. It can affect anyone, regardless of their sex, and can cause sexual dysfunction. Some common symptoms of sexual performance anxiety include feeling nervous or anxious about having sex, which can lead to premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, or lack of lubrication for women. Causes of sexual performance anxiety can include fear of not performing well in bed, poor body image, concern over weight, and relationship issues. Sexual performance anxiety can lead to a cycle of troubles, where anxiety about sex can cause sexual dysfunction, which in turn leads to even more sexual performance anxiety.
If you are experiencing sexual performance anxiety, it is important to see a doctor or therapist to discuss your sex life and receive appropriate treatment. Some tips that can help people cope with performance anxiety and enable them to have positive sexual experiences include focusing on the senses during sexual activity, rather than overthinking or analyzing the event, and avoiding the cycle of mentally reliving perceived sexual failures and worrying about what their sexual partner is thinking.
