Sexual anxiety also known as sexual performance anxiety is a panic that one experiences on matters related to sex. It is caused by a series of negative experiences from the past, stress and many other factors. Sexual anxiety ends up creating a fear-based response to intimacy.
This anxiety affects both men and women regardless of their level of sexual experience and/or their age. The many triggers of sexual anxiety can have an impact on an individual before, during, and after a sexual activity.
Below is a list of five out of the many causes of sexual anxiety, supplied by VeryWellMind.
Having body image and self-esteem issues – people who are overly concerned about their height, weight, or appearance of particular body parts might experience sexual performance anxiety when they engage in sexual activities.
Previous negative sexual experiences/trauma – having had negative sexual experiences in the past, either with your current partner or a former partner can lead to sexual performance anxiety.
A lack of sexual experience – people who have less sexual experience might feel some performance anxiety when they first begin to have sex.
Feeling stressed – stress affects all aspects of our lives, including our sex lives. Sometimes SPA (sexual performance anxiety) could be brought on because you are stressed at work or by some other situation.
Overconsuming pornographic content – this can sometimes give you a false perception of what sex should look and feel like. Research has linked porn to the development of sexual dysfunction.
Also see: How to communicate your sexual needs to your partner
