Losing libido or bedroom troubles, when it comes to sexual performance, most individuals tend to jump into conclusions that there is an imminent solution to the problem; a solution that can be solved with a one night sleep, or with a less Hectic work week. Although there is no doubt that a short term stress may cause the things to go out of balance, chronic anxiety is an entirely different creature.
What most people do not understand is that anxiety is not only a psychological thing. It may be physical, emotional and relational, and yes it can have a very real effect on your sex life. This is the article based on depression and how it can impact your sex life, its symptoms, and when you need to seek professional help.
Knowledge behind Anxiety-Sex Connection
Anxiety causes you to activate the fight or flight mode in the body. It is a survival technique and immediate safety is much more important than other things, including the sexual activity. When you are in the state of high anxiety, your body is not interested in being protected, it is interested in procreating.
Consequently, you can encounter:
- Hard time in getting or sustaining an erection
- Reduced libido
- An early ejaculation or slow ejaculation
- Difficulty in orgasm
The symptoms may manifest themselves in both men and women, the physical manifestation, however, may vary. In males, one of the results of performance anxiety is erectile dysfunction. In women, the high levels of stress may be the cause of arousal and lubrication problems.
Performance Anxiety and General Anxiety
Not any anxiety is alike. There is a specific relation between performance anxiety and a sexual situation. It is as a result of the fear of failure to perform, judgment, or failure of a partner. This in turn forms a feedback:
- You are nervous regarding your performance.
- This associated anxiety impacts on performance.
- You are more miserable and the cycle goes on.
Conversely, sexual performance may also be inhibited by generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or chronic work, financial or interpersonal stress; although less directly. Your body will not be highly receptive to sexual stimulation when your head is burdened with stress.
The Physical Consequences of Anxiety with Sexual Function
- Blood Flow Restriction
An erection is dependent on an adequate blood flow. Intercourse is made difficult during anxiety because the blood vessels constrict and decrease blood flow towards the genitals.
- Hormonal Imbalance
Continuous anxiety increases cortisol(hormone of stress) and can decrease testosterone reducing desire and arousal.
- Muscle Tension
Physical tension due to stress means that one finds it difficult to relax and have intimacy.
- Exhaustion and Sleep Disturbance
The overall decreased energy and libido is associated with poor sleep common with anxiety as a side effect.
Emotional and Relational Effect
Anxiety does not only influence the body, but it also influences your personality and relationships. The typical emotional effects are:
- The lack of connectedness to your partner
- Intimacy avoidance
- Dread of initiation of sex
- Poor self-esteem or self-doubt
Such emotions may complicate the process of discussing the situation with the partner. On its part, this may bring about misunderstandings, emotional detachment and conflict between the two; all of which intensify the sexual performance.
Anxiety-Induced ED: The Vicious Circle
To most men, anxiety and erectile dysfunction (ED) is especially frustrating. The more worrying you tend to be regarding your inability to maintain an erection, the highly this occurrence is likely to happen. And when it does, there is the fear of the same thing to occur again.
With time, even physically healthy men develop persistent ED only out of anxiety. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to treat mental health simultaneously with physical one.
Breaking the Cycle, Real-Life Example:
Take an example of a 29 years old marketing executive in Secunderabad, Hyderabad. Following a run of stressful deadlines and an argument with his partner he finds himself incapable of keeping an erection with his partner. It occurs last week as well, although, the atmosphere is more casual.
Unable to cope with this situation, he goes searching a sexologist doctor in Hyderabad and makes an appointment. The expert checks him and does not notice anything physically wrong. Rather, the content of therapy meetings revolves around relaxation training, factors of anxiety and self-esteem. After a couple of weeks he starts to improve.
It is perhaps not a tale out of the ordinary, and part of the point of the story is to learn how to notice when stress is more than just stress.
Therapies of Anxiety-Problems Sexual.
In case anxiety interferes with your sexual life, there is good news because you can get help. Some good strategies are as follows:
- Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitively assists in locating and modifying negative thoughts
- Sex Therapy: Deals specifically with intimacy, performance and communicative problems
- Couples Counseling: May help to increase understanding of each other and renew intimacy
- Lifestyle Changes
- Regular exercise
- Meditations and mindfulness activities
- Fine tuning caffeine, alcohol
- Prioritizing sleep
- Medical Support
A doctor can in certain instances prescribe some drugs to counter the anxiety or use a temporary drug to give sexual stimulation. It is important to consult an expert before beginning any drug.
The Method of Speaking to Your Partner
Open communication has proved to be one of the most potent means of managing anxiety related sexual problems. Although it may be awkward, honesty decreases pressure and creates a bond between people emotionally.
Try:
- Putting the problem into the context of a common situation rather than a personal failure
- An emphasis on emotional connection, and not only performance
- Evaluating non-sexual types of intimacy in recovery
When to consult specialist
When anxiety-related problems last longer than a couple of weeks or already impacting relationship and self-confidence, you should address them. A good sexology doctor in Hyderabad will be able to understand whether it is the problem of anxiety, physiology or a mixture of these factors which involve your symptoms.
Secunderabad and Kondapur are some of the areas which have experienced professionals who provide a discreet consultation given with no judgment. Such professionals know much about such a complicated relationship between mental health and sexual wellness.
Even at the stage of a mild behavioral problem, the intervention may stop the problem from becoming chronic and allow more profound healing.
Preventive Tips: How to Deal With Anxiety Before it Interferes With Sex
- Know Your Triggers: know what triggers your anxiety and learn how to cope.
- Keep Busy: If you keep yourself busy, then anxiety will follow.
- Establish Limits: Do not set yourself up too much. Set time out to rest and relax.
- Be kind to yourself: Try to be gentle with yourself when things are not working out.
- Practice Self-Care: Share the stress with friends, family or a therapist.
The earlier you take time off to deal with your anxiety, the higher is the likelihood of ensuring that you have a fulfilling sex life.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety is not a slight issue of the mind. It may combine and disturb the performance of the sexual process, relationships and lead to destruction of self-esteem. Good news? It’s treatable.
In case you have realized that your sexual life remains on the move in an unusual direction, and you believe anxiety is behind such continual alterations, you should not disregard it. It might begin with a discussion with a sexologist physician in Hyderabad that would help clear the link between your mind and body.
Sexual health is an inseparable part of your well-being in general and there is no shame in finding help once things seem to be off balance. When given the needed support, recovery is not only an option, but a likelihood.