Performance Anxiety, Want Longer Lasting Sex?!
Male Performance Anxiety
Have you seen the late night infomercials and advertising programs for male enhancement pills and stuff that is supposed to make you last longer?! Hove you ever thought about what impact these ads may have on your sexuality?Performance anxiety is a common phenomenon negatively affecting a man's sexuality. Performance anxiety is one of the main sexual and emotional problems a man may encounter during a lifetime. Performance anxiety may develop suddenly after a negative experience, or just with a new partner when we are on the discovery path.One of the most common factors leading to performance anxiety is social pressure and the wrong picture of "normal" provided by the advertisement. Even men who are not suffering from any kind of erectile dysfunction may be negatively affected by the ads which aim to negatively address a male's self confidence to sell their products.
Performance Anxiety and Erectile Dysfunction
Performance anxiety and erectile dysfunction - trouble achieving or maintaining an erection - as well as premature ejaculation construct a circle of emotional and physical roller coaster and exponentially nourish the fire leading one to another.
In previous posts I have discussed the immediate effect of stress on sexual desire, libido, and erectile performance. Stress induces an increase in levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the body- two main hormones that decrease the blood circulation and flow in the penis making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Even occasional loss of erection or trouble achieving an erection can negatively affect the stress levels, decrease self confidence and result in performance anxiety.One important question I have been asked by younger patients suffering from performance anxiety is whether the use of medications like Viagra or Cialis would improve their condition. While Viagra and Co. might be able to physically induce and maintain an erection, but a healthy male should not be using medications in order to achieve an erection. Frequent use of Viagra and Co. will eventually affect the body's natural ability to regulate and maintain an erection and might even result in real erectile dysfunction when the body gets used to the use of medication and "forgets" it's natural regulatory circles. Furthermore, the use of medications like Viagra for performance anxiety will put you at risk of symptom worsening in so far that your performance will completely be depending on the presence of the medication - even if you don't actually use it and keep it in your pocket as an insurance option - and not having the pill ready will increase the insecurity, anxiety, stress, and worsen performance anxiety. As you might have already noticed, sexual performance anxiety is a psychological condition and has no organic source. If you are suffering from performance anxiety, please consider the following steps to improve your condition:
- Talk to your partner about your condition and allow her/him to help.
- Find the source of your anxiety.
- Talk to your doctor or therapist.
An open and supportive relationship, professional help, and behavioral modification have been proven to be the most effective means of dealing with performance anxiety.If you would like to, please feel free to make an appointment with our office and come to see us for an evaluation. Talking to your doctor, a thorough review of your sexual history, and a confidential evaluation may be the first step towards improvement.