Performance Anxiety | Erectile Dysfunction

Performance anxiety is a common issue faced by a vast majority of males (especially during their early intercourse experiences). It is mainly related to a mental phobia or fear of under-performing their part in the execution of a sexual act (1). Psychogenic factors contribute to approximately 15 to 35% of all reported cases of erectile dysfunction (ED Help Center Learn More) in males.

Pathogenesis of Performance Anxiety Related ED

When a man’s body is sexually stimulated the body recognizes this high energy state as a response to danger (also referred to as flight or fight response). The body prepare itself to combat the danger by releasing copious amounts of adrenaline that

– Release glucose from the glycogen stores

– Increase the blood supply to vital organs (like heart, brain and skeletal muscles); while reducing the blood supply to gut and pelvis (genital organs).

Since sexual act requires the active participation of parasympathetic system (that is automatically suppressed when adrenaline is released), males develop erectile dysfunction (ED Treatment Learn More).

It is only with experience and continuous stimulation to similar circumstances that our brain recognize this scenario as a pleasurable one (and not an emergency). Individuals who experience performance anxiety during a sexual encounter should note that coping with their stress (ED & Stress Learn More) and anxiety (ED & Anxiety Learn More) can help in improving their performance

If Experiencing Performance Anxiety Mediated ED

Men facing performance anxiety should know that there are many solutions available for their problems that can help dealing with their fears and result in better and efficient performance during their next sexual encounters.

– Breathe deeply: whenever negative thoughts or fears start to accumulate in the mind, one should sit back, relax and breathe. A simple focusing exercise involves listening to your breathing sounds and blocking any thoughts popping in the brain. Gradual the person will experience relaxation of muscles and will have a fresher and more focused mind

– Adopt healthy activities to control anxiety: Some physical and recreational activities such as swimming, cooking and walking etc. can go a long way to reduce all types of physical and psychological stressors to improve anxiety.

– Talk to your partner: It is not hard to spot the anxiety in you by your partner, especially if it is felt on a regular basic. Therefore to avoid any miscommunications one must talk to their partners about this issues. This will help in two ways, one it eases the psychological (ED & Trauma Learn More) burden that you feels during a sexual encounter and secondly, your partner will try and help you in this issue at a personal level.

– Focus: During an intercourse, instead of thinking about your short comings or fears, try and focus on your performance and pleasure. People, who often face performance anxiety, make the mistake of not enjoying the experience, which leads to further issues and aggravated anxiety.

– Drug abuse: Individuals, who are drug addicts or have to take strong medications that act on the central nervous system, should consult doctors about rehabilitation and dose adjustments. Drugs (ED & Drugs Learn More) such as cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines and alcohol can reduce performance and induce psychological complexes. Detoxifying your body also help in getting rid of negative thoughts that are common in drug abusers.

In general, one can bring simple changes in their lives to help cope up with stress and anxiety effectively on daily basic, but the key is self-belief and remaining positive.

References

Rosen, R. C. (2001). Psychogenic erectile dysfunction: classification and management. Urologic Clinics of North America, 28(2), 269-278.
McCabe, M. P. (2005). The role of performance anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in men and women. International journal of stress management, 12(4), 379.