Experiencing fear and anxiety about sexual performance in front of a partner is a common reason for the lack of pleasure from intimate contact. Constant worries about appearance or ability in bed can lead to stressful and unnerving sex, even reluctance to have sexual experiences. Sex is more than a physical response, as arousal is closely related to experiencing emotions. But when our minds are too stressed to focus on sex, our bodies can’t get excited, experts explain. Some of the reasons for anxiety in sex are: fear that we will not perform well in bed and meet the partner’s expectations; concern about body weight and the way our body looks; relationship problems and difficulties; penis size in men; premature ejaculation etc. Our state of mind can have a big impact on our ability to get excited. Even if we are in the company of a person who is sexually attracted to us, we may feel insecure about our ability to satisfy the partner’s needs. In men, one of the effects of stress hormones is constriction of blood vessels, and this can make it harder to get an erection. In women, fear of sexual performance can affect arousal and physical desire for intimate contact. Lack of concentration also affects. When we’re too focused on whether we’re going to perform well, it actually interferes with our concentration during sex itself. Even when a man is able to arouse himself, he may be too distracted to reach orgasm. NEWS_MORE_BOX How can we deal with the problem? Seek medical help, someone you feel comfortable discussing your sex life with. The doctor can examine you and order tests to make sure that a health condition or taking certain medications is not the cause of the sexual problems. Medicines and other therapies can be helpful in managing erectile dysfunction or other sexual difficulties that are due to physical causes. If the problem is not medical in nature, make an appointment with a therapist or counselor who has experience in treating sexual problems. Therapy can help you feel better about your own sexuality and resolve the issues that cause anxiety. Men who are concerned about the risk of premature ejaculation can implement some techniques to help them have more control over their ejaculation. Talking to your partner about the topic can also be helpful in alleviating your worries. Trying to find a solution to the problem together allows you to grow closer as a couple, including improving sexual relationships, experts say.