Sexual Performance Anxiety.

Sex Med Rev

Pykonsult, LLC, New Fairfield, CT. Electronic address:

Published: April 2020

AI Article Synopsis

  • - Sexual performance anxiety (SPA) is a common issue affecting both men (9-25%) and women (6-16%), leading to problems like premature ejaculation and reduced sexual desire, yet it lacks a formal diagnosis and adequate research on treatments.
  • - Effective treatments for SPA may include cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness meditation, and specific pharmaceutical options like phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, although there is a need for more controlled studies to establish efficacy.
  • - Various medications and natural remedies show potential for alleviating SPA symptoms, such as anxiolytics with prosexual effects and nitric oxide boosters, but more research is necessary to confirm their effectiveness.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Sexual performance anxiety (SPA) is one of the most prevalent sexual complaints; yet, no diagnosis is recognized for either gender. Thus, research into treatment has been minimal.

Aim: Review the prevalence of SPA and its relation to sexual dysfunctions and anxiety disorders. Compare SPA to (non-sexual) performance anxiety and social anxiety (PA/SA). Apply pharmacologic principles to the known properties of drugs and phytotherapies to hypothesize treatments for SPA.

Methods: Review SPA and PA/SA through PubMed searches for relevant literature from 2000 to 2018.

Main Outcome Measure: Prevalence was estimated using population-representative surveys. For treatment results, controlled clinical trial results were prioritized over open-label trial results.

Results: SPA affects 9-25% of men and contributes to premature ejaculation and psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). SPA affects 6-16% of women and severely inhibits sexual desire. Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness meditation training have been proven effective for PA/SA and are recommended for SPA, but controlled studies are lacking. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are effective for psychogenic ED and premature ejaculation, both of which include SPA as a major element. Drugs proven for PA/SA have adverse sexual and sedative effects, but serotonergic anxiolytics with prosexual effects (buspirone ± testosterone, trazodone ± bupropion) may have potential, and sage, passionflower, l-theanine, and bitter orange are anxiolytic. Nitric oxide boosters (l-citrulline, l-arginine, Panax ginseng) have the potential for increasing genital tumescence and lubrication, and plant-based alpha-adrenergic antagonists may aid sexual arousal (yohimbine/yohimbe, Citrus aurantium/p-synephrine).

Conclusion: SPA causes or maintains most common sexual dysfunction. No treatments are well proven, although cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness meditation training, and serotonergic anxiolytics (buspirone, trazodone, gepirone) have potential, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are effective for psychogenic ED and premature ejaculation. Several phytotherapies also appear to have potential. Pyke RE. Sexual Performance Anxiety. J Sex Med 2020;8:183-190.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

performance anxiety
16
sexual performance
12
premature ejaculation
12
sexual
9
spa
9
cognitive behavior
8
behavior therapy
8
therapy mindfulness
8
mindfulness meditation
8
meditation training
8

Similar Publications

Objectives: Palliative care (PC) is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at improving the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of patients and families affected by life-threatening diseases. This study aimed to investigate the need for PC among critically ill patients and their quality of life (QOL) in low-income groups in Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at four healthcare facilities from March to April 2023, involving 553 registered patients with advanced chronic conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Enhancing prediction of major depressive disorder onset in adolescents: A machine learning approach.

J Psychiatr Res

January 2025

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition that often begins in adolescence, with significant long-term implications. Indicated prevention programs targeting adolescents with mild symptoms have shown efficacy, yet the methods for identifying at-risk individuals need improvement. This study aims to evaluate the utility of Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) in predicting the onset of MDD among non-depressed adolescents, compared to traditional screening methods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Migraine is a common primary headache disorder that significantly affects academic life and is often associated with stress, depression, anxiety, and irregular sleep patterns among university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of migraine among King Khalid University (KKU) students, identify its determinants, and evaluate the impact of migraine and other headaches on academic life and performance.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 732 students from Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Computer science.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing students' math anxiety and their self-efficacy in pediatric medication administration.

Background: Medication errors in pediatric patients are often linked to the precision required in dose calculations, posing significant risks to patient safety. Math anxiety, characterized by fear and worry, can impair students' performance in mathematical tasks, potentially reducing self-efficacy in medication administration.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale: Patients who experience seizures, including PNES, are usually advised to discontinue driving, or have their driving privileges revoked until a determined period of seizure-freedom is achieved. In this retrospective study, patients with PNES who requested driving privileges or reported having resumed driving were compared to those who did not on measures of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive flexibility/motor speed.

Methods: DiagnosisofPNESwasconfirmedwithvideo-EEG.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!