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Have you ever struggled in a sexual scenario due to feelings of nervousness, anxiety, worry, or embarrassment? That feeling can have resounding effects, not only on your mental state but your physical capabilities too.
You may have experienced something called sexual performance anxiety (SPA), and you’re not alone. SPA is one of the most prevalent sexual complaints, and it’s estimated that up to 25% of men and 16% of women experience SPA. (Pyke, 2020) (Callard-Moore, 2024)
Sexual performance anxiety can severely impact your sexual pleasure, interest, and performance, and it can happen to anyone at any time. Let’s talk some more about what causes SPA in men and what you can do to overcome it.
What causes sexual performance anxiety?
In plain terms, sexual performance anxiety, or SPA, is the excessive concern about your ability to perform or satisfy a partner sexually, leading to mental and physical effects that can prevent you from engaging in sex the way you truly want. SPA isn’t a diagnosis itself, but it can be related to anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder. (Callard-Moore, 2024)
Common negative thoughts, fears, or worries that someone with SPA may experience include:
“What if I can’t keep an erection?”
“What if I finish too early?”
“What if I don’t satisfy my partner completely?”
Sexual performance anxiety can be tied to previous or current physical concerns, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as mental or emotional concerns. Common causes may include stress, a new sexual encounter, past disappointing sexual experiences, body image concerns, being unsatisfied or worried about your relationship, and past trauma. (Callard-Moore, 2024)
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, problems with vaginal lubrication, or difficulty achieving orgasm. (Bockaj, 2024)
How does sexual performance anxiety affect ED?
Erectile dysfunction, one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions, is a separate diagnosis of its own and refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection. (Lowy, 2022) ED and male performance anxiety are closely linked, and one can often trigger the other, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle. (Pyke, 2020)
While they are closely linked, it’s important to understand the difference between ED and SPA. ED occurs when you are physically unable to have or keep an erection. This may be caused by advanced age, trauma or damage to the pelvic area, substance abuse, obesity, low testosterone levels, and more. (Lowy, 2022)
SPA is an overwhelming fear that you’ll be unable to perform, either before or during sexual activity, which can lead to physical effects including (Bockaj, 2024):
Erectile dysfunction
Premature or delayed ejaculation
Lack of desire or sex drive (low libido)
So, if you struggle with ED, SPA, or both, know that you are not alone, and these conditions can often impact or worsen the other. If you are dealing with any type of sexual dysfunction or anxiety, you should speak with a healthcare provider about the best route forward.
What can worsen sexual performance anxiety?
Some factors may actually increase the anxiety and worry tied to SPA, or may worsen the physical effects of SPA, such as ED. These include:
1.Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is a common way for people to “take the edge off”. You may think it will help you feel more relaxed and less stressed, but it may actually worsen your anxiety or physical effects. For example, when taken excessively, alcohol can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. (Lowy, 2022)
2.Narcotics
Similarly to alcohol, some people will opt for using illegal recreational drugs to feel more relaxed or suppress their anxiety and worries. Not only is this bad for your health, but certain drugs can decrease sexual desire and worsen your performance anxiety. Even some legal substances such as nicotine have been shown to worsen ED and sexual performance. (Harte, 2010) (Lowy, 2022)
3.SSRIs/Anti-anxiety medications
Some prescription medications used to treat anxiety and depression, such as SSRIs, work by altering the levels of the “feel-good” hormones in your brain like dopamine and serotonin. They alter these hormones to improve your mood and help you feel less anxious, which can be effective ways to manage severe anxiety. Unfortunately, these medications have also been known to negatively impact libido and sexual performance in some people. (Rosen, 1999) Of course, these medications can be life-saving and you should never adjust your dosage or medication routine without speaking to a healthcare provider. If you are taking SSRIs or another type of medication for mental health, speak with your doctor about your concerns regarding SPA and sexual health.
Other factors that may worsen or play a role in sexual performance anxiety include relationship or social pressure, body image issues or insecurities, existing sexual dysfunction diagnoses or problems, and more.
Sexual performance anxiety treatment
Performance anxiety is a mental health-related problem, commonly associated with other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Fortunately, there are a few healthy ways to address and overcome sexual anxiety, so you can get back to a fulfilling sex life.
Communication
I know- sometimes easier said than done, and what can communication really do? The truth is, talking about your feelings, worries, and concerns can be a very healthy way to release some of the anxiety you are carrying regarding your sexual performance. (Callard-Moore, 2024)
Let your partner know how you’re feeling, and find ways to make yourself more comfortable and build sexual confidence in the bedroom. It may also help your partner feel better if they know they aren’t the reason for your low libido or difficulty having sex.
Healthy routines
We know you've heard this one before. However cliché this advice might seem, there is a reason for it. When you exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep, your body has an easier time helping you break down key nutrients, regulate your hormones, and function well overall. (Pattnaik, 2022) Building healthy habits into a routine can bring peace of mind and set you up for more success in the bedroom, and other parts of your life.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is an effective treatment that can be very beneficial for addressing underlying anxiety disorders and other mental health concerns. Whether you struggle with body image, past traumas, relationship anxiety, or other concerns, you may benefit from speaking with a professional.
ED medications
Speaking with a healthcare provider about erectile dysfunction medication may also be right for you. ED meds, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, work by increasing blood flow to the penis when a man is aroused, allowing for a more satisfactory erection. (Dhaliwal A, 2023)
If you struggle more with the mental effects of SPA than the physical, the dopamine agonist apomorphine (APO) has been shown to improve the mental or psychological impact for some people struggling with ED. (Ribaric S, 2012)
You can get ED medications online after speaking with a qualified healthcare professional. Want to get started? Take the Rugiet questionnaire and get one step closer to a more satisfying sex life!
Other treatments or interventions you may want to consider include sex therapy, prescription medications for anxiety or depression, and more. Speak to a provider to find the right treatment for you.
Why Rugiet?
We recommend Rugiet Ready because it is 5X faster than pills or chewable tablets to show noticeable results.
In 15 minutes or less, you will see the real effects of Rugiet after it dissolves under your tongue. 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, helping you regain your roar. (Ribaric S, 2012)
Ready to take the next step in managing your erectile dysfunction with a personalized approach? Discover Rugiet where we specialize in optimizing your health with custom-tailored treatment plans. Our unique combination of sildenafil, tadalafil, and apomorphine is designed to cater to your specific needs, ensuring you achieve the best possible results. Customize Your Treatment with Rugiet today and start your journey to enhanced sexual health and overall vitality.
DISCLAIMER: This article is the expressed opinion of Rugiet Health, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. We have an unwavering commitment to maximizing safety and improving the quality of life for thousands of people all over America in more ways than one. We do not condone mixing any prescribed pharmaceuticals together without first consulting a qualified medical professional.
Citations:
Pyke R. E. (2020). Sexual Performance Anxiety. Sexual medicine reviews, 8(2), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001
Callard-Moore, Theresa. 2024, September 30. Cleveland Clinic. How To Overcome Sexual Performance Anxiety. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sexual-performance-anxiety
Bockaj, A., Muise, M. D., Belu, C. F., Rosen, N. O., & O’Sullivan, L. F. (2024). Under Pressure: Men’s and Women’s Sexual Performance Anxiety in the Sexual Interactions of Adult Couples. The Journal of Sex Research, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2024.2357587
Lowy, M., & Ramanathan, V. (2022). Erectile dysfunction: causes, assessment and management options. Australian prescriber, 45(5), 159–161. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2022.051
Christopher B. Harte, Cindy M. Meston, Acute Effects of Nicotine on Physiological and Subjective Sexual Arousal in Nonsmoking Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 110–121, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00637.x
Rosen, R. C., Lane, R. M., & Menza, M. (1999). Effects of SSRIs on sexual function: a critical review. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 19(1), 67–85. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004714-199902000-00013
Pattnaik, H., Mir, M., Boike, S., Kashyap, R., Khan, S. A., & Surani, S. (2022). Nutritional Elements in Sleep. Cureus, 14(12), e32803. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32803
Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. PDE5 Inhibitors. [Updated 2023 Apr 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/
Ribarič, S. (2012). The Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Use of Apomorphine. Molecules, 17(5), 5289-5309. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17055289
