What Is Sexual Performance Anxiety?
Sexual Performance Anxiety (SPA) is sexual inhibition that comes from nervousness about sex or sexual performance. It’s a real medical diagnosis. The good news is that it's treatable. Learn more in this article.
Have you ever been nervous about your performance in a sexual scenario?
That feeling can have resounding effects, not only on your mental state but your physical capabilities too. If you have the feeling often, you might quickly become stressed, and the stress won’t do your mind and body any favors in the long term.
This phenomenon is called sexual performance anxiety, and it is not uncommon. People have been finding coping strategies to deal with it for as long as sexual nervousness has existed, but not all of these strategies are healthy. However, this article can help guide you to the best ways to manage sexual performance anxiety.
Let’s dive right in.
What is Sexual Performance Anxiety?
In plain terms, sexual performance anxiety, or SPA, is the pervasive worry about your ability to deliver sexually, thus inhibiting you from engaging the way you truly want. It usually happens when you’re not confident about your “sexual prowess” or perhaps scared of what might happen during the experience.
SPA can come in different forms. For example, it can manifest as the fear of not being able to satisfy your partner, and it might also manifest as distracting levels of worry about maintaining a solid erection during sex. Generally, it is caused by stress, especially about work, finances, or insecurities about yourself.
SPA is an actual diagnosis recognized by medical professionals. It’s not just a “you” problem.
Anyone can experience performance anxiety, but it’s usually more prevalent in men than women and is often tied to sexual difficulties like erectile dysfunction in men or vaginismus in women.
Fortunately, it can be treated with the right tools and tips.
How does Sexual Performance Anxiety Affect E.D.?
SPA is a diagnosis of its own and a recognized cause of E.D., which in turn can increase existing SPA, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle.
On its own, E.D. is a complex condition and can occur from various factors, but it’s not always the case that SPA is one of them. Instead, E.D. occurs when you are physically unable to have or keep an erection. At the same time, SPA is an overwhelming fear that you’ll be unable to perform, either before or during sexual activity.
Adverse Treatment Options
People who experience sexual performance anxiety can quickly go down a spiral as they try to find solutions to their condition. Frustration can also lead them to self-medicate and embark on coping strategies that can negatively impact and further worsen the situation. Some of these destructive coping strategies include:
- Alcohol: While alcohol can make it easier to release inhibition, it won’t improve your condition. When taken excessively, alcohol can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.
- Narcotics: Using illegal recreational drugs can decrease sexual desire and worsen your performance anxiety. Nicotine, although legal, can undoubtedly impact E.D.
- SSRIs/Anti-anxiety medications: Antidepressants like SSRIs alter the levels of the “feel-good” hormones in your brain like dopamine and serotonin. They alter these hormones to help you stay calm and feel less anxious, which can be effective ways to manage severe anxiety. Sadly, these medications alter the hormones responsible for libido and willingness to get sexual, consequently leading to E.D.
Effective Treatment Options
Performance anxiety is a mental health issue commonly associated with other mental health conditions like depression. However, there are free and healthy ways to address it that do not involve narcotics or pharmaceutical intervention. These include:
- Health Routines: We know you've heard this one before. However cliché this bit of advice might seem, it does have legs. When you exercise, your body naturally releases endorphins that can help calm the mind in times of nervousness. Building healthy habits into a routine can bring peace of mind and set you up for room to be present in the bedroom and other parts of your life.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is an effective treatment that helps reduce sexual performance anxiety. Think about it like getting a mysterious car problem inspected. You might be able to pin-point the root of your nerves and find solutions with a professional. A little self-introspection can go a long way.
Maybe you've tried these options above but require something more. Medications that address E.D. can also help alleviate SPA. The gold standard, in this case, is Rugiet Ready.
We recommend Rugiet Ready because it is famously 5X faster than pills or chewable tablets to show noticeable results. In 15 minutes or less, you start seeing it work after it dissolves under your tongue. Then, you’re ready for showtime. With the fast onset of Rugiet Ready, you do not have to worry about being unable to perform in the heat of the moment.
In addition to two PDE5 inhibitors, Rugiet Ready also contains apomorphine (APO). A dopamine promoter, APO, is an amazing ingredient that can prime the brain for sexual arousal, so getting “there” is easier.
Rugiet Health’s network of board-certified doctors has advice outside of pharmaceutical intervention with a holistic approach to treatment. Sometimes, they’ll recommend the healthy tips in this article before they prescribe; if it’s in the member's best interest.
The best part is that you may not need Rugiet Ready forever to overcome SPA. Sometimes, all it takes is a few good experiences to build your confidence. With a strong foundation of confidence, you can do anything.
