April is National Stress Awareness Month, with intimacy experts highlighting the detrimental effects of stress on sexual health. Stress can cause cortisol spikes and other hormonal disruptions, which can suppress the Sexual Excitement System and trigger the Sexual Inhibition System. Men often suffer from stress-induced erectile dysfunction, which is often linked to stress. Sex and relationship coach Gemma Nice explains that stress can direct blood to the heart, lungs, and brain rather than the genitals, and in men, this often impacts their ability to “get it up” and ability to have sex. The most important step is to eliminate the pressure to perform and find low-pressure ways to connect through intimacy.