If you suffer from anxiety, you know that its impact on your life is far-reaching. Although it's not always discussed, sex is one area that is commonly affected by all types of anxiety. The type of anxiety most associated with sex is performance anxiety, which occurs when someone anticipates a problem performing during sex and then, consequently, does have trouble with sexual function. Sexual performance anxiety is usually thought of as a male problem, and can be a cause of issues like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Performance anxiety can also affect women, making it difficult to relax and enjoy sex, and making it hard to reach orgasm. Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for sexual performance anxiety, as it will help you address underlying issues and learn to become more comfortable with the sexual experience.
However, other types of anxiety can also interfere with your sex life. No matter what the cause, anxiety can interfere with sex simply because it's distracting. Worrying about anything, sexually related or not, can inhibit sexual response and performance. It is hard to engage either physically or mentally in sex when there are too many other things on your mind. It is common for anxious people to have occasional trouble with their sex life, either in terms of performance or desire. Addressing the issues leading to your anxiety will usually help your sex life rebound.
