Almost all men get struck with a case of performance anxiety at least once over the course of their sexual lives. Because performance anxiety is a psychological ailment, tackling it can be tricky. Unlike physical conditions, there is no direct cure for it. And unfortunately, over-thinking the issue usually just makes matters worse. So let’s address two of the leading causes of performance anxiety: penis size and impotence.

And undue amount of importance has been placed on the issue of penis size. The average range of penis length (when erect) is about five to seven inches. Before you break out the measuring tape, consider this: The average depth of a vaginal canal is about four inches, at which point you reach the cervix. This is not some infinite space yearning to be filled; it has an endpoint that, when reached, can be painful.

Also, keep in mind that the penis is not the be-all and end-all of a sexual experience. No matter how your penis "measures up" in the locker room, remember that oral and manual stimulation, as well as the introduction of props or toys, all contribute to a memorable sexual experience. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Since the introduction of Viagra to the pharmaceutical market in the 1990s, more attention has been paid to male erectile dysfunction, or "impotence." Remember that it is perfectly normal for all men to experience the loss of erection or inability to obtain an erection once in a while. This does not necessarily indicate a medical problem, nor does it make you a candidate for Viagra. Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, the threat of not being able to become erect can become a self-fulfilling prophecy if men become too focused on it.

Don’t forget that the occasional absence of an erection does not have to mean a failed sexual encounter. You can still focus on pleasing your partner in other ways, and the satisfaction supplying that pleasure can sometimes be just what it takes to get you going again.