What is sexual anxiety?
Anxiety is a useful defense mechanism that the mind uses to alert the body of a danger, through a symptomatology that seeks to indicate to the patient that this situation or stimulus poses a risk and should stay away from it. The problem for emotional health occurs when anxiety affects the patient in situations that do not really pose a danger or great risk, or that appear with such frequency and intensity that they do not allow the patient to develop a normal life in a happy way.
Thus, sexual anxiety is that which occurs around sexual relations, either before or during them, and does not allow the patient to enjoy his sexuality.
Prognosis of the disease
Sexual anxiety affects the patient’s sexual life, as well as his or her confidence and self-esteem. Far from being a pleasurable activity, the patient feels sexual intercourse as a preoccupation and, therefore, ends up avoiding it or losing interest. Consequently, both men and women experience loss of sexual desire, anorgasmia or problems with lubrication or maintaining an erection, which leads to problems during sexual intercourse and therefore further fuels this anxiety.
This type of anxiety has the added problem of affecting the couple’s relationship, which can suffer if there is no good communication and support.
Sexual anxiety influences not only the patient’s sexuality, but also his or her relationship with his or her partner.
Symptoms of sexual anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety occur in this type of performance anxiety most often when the patient is getting to know a new sexual partner. Thus, the patient will feel to a greater or lesser extent some of these symptoms:
- Tachycardia
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Unsteadiness
- Tremors
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Body tingling
- Feeling of loss of control or unreality
- Cervical tension
These symptoms usually occur mainly before, during and after sexual intercourse. The patient may also experience symptoms at the mere thought or consideration of sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis of sexual anxiety
Many patients who come to the psychology office to treat their lack of confidence or self-esteem, dislike of their body or complexes, describe symptoms of sexual anxiety. Also many couples come to the consultation to treat their sexual problems and describe a picture of sexual anxiety in one of the members.
What are the causes of sexual anxiety?
Sexual anxiety can remain in the patient’s life in a more or less lasting way, as well as attack intermittently each time a new sexual partner is met. Thus, the main causes of sexual anxiety are:
- Lack of security and confidence: physical complexes play a very important role. People who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their genitals or with their body in general are more prone to sexual anxiety. It is also caused by fears of not meeting the expectations of the partner in the sexual field or not being able to enjoy them, such as not being able to reach orgasm.
- Sexual dysfunctions: having suffered some sexual dysfunction in previous relationships, such as erectile dysfunction, lack of lubrication and pain in sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation, vaginismus or anorgasmia, can also cause this anxiety in new encounters.
- Stress: being experiencing a time of worries and stress in some area of life can also develop sexual anxiety.
- Relationship problems: lack of communication or trust with the sexual partner are the most frequent problems that cause sexual anxiety.
- Emotional problems: patients who are in a bad emotional moment, who do not know how to manage their emotions well, who have had a toxic relationship or who have not received a good sexual education, may present sexual anxiety before a new partner.
Can it be prevented?
Promoting self-confidence, self-esteem and personal growth is a fundamental step to prevent sexual anxiety, as well as avoiding stress and maintaining a relaxation routine so as not to allow anxiety to affect daily life. A good sexual education is also very important to develop a pleasurable sexual life without complexes, as well as a good communication and trusting relationship with the partner.
Treatments for sexual anxiety
Sexual anxiety may disappear on its own when the patient gets to know the sexual partner better and gains confidence, or when he/she overcomes the period of stress or worries he/she is experiencing. If it does not subside, the patient may need psychological support to treat the cause of sexual anxiety and work on self-esteem, seeking to avoid this problem in the current relationship and possible future relationships.
Which specialist treats it?
The specialist psychologist is in charge of treating these problems of emotional health and personal development. Some psychologists also specialize in sexology or couples therapy, to further treat emotional disorders that affect sexuality.