Emerging from the Tet holiday, marked by continuous drinking sessions, the challenge of giving lucky money, and social obligations, many men find themselves irritable, sleepless, and notably experiencing a decline in bedroom performance. This "off-rhythm" state is typically not a physical ailment but a physiological consequence of prolonged stress and exhaustion.
According to Dr. Tra Anh Duy, a specialist at Men's Health Center, constantly dealing with budgets, gifts, and maintaining family appearances keeps men's brains under constant tension. In this state, the body prioritizes survival by increasing stress hormones (cortisol) and activating the sympathetic nervous system to cope. Simultaneously, it "freezes" the parasympathetic system, which is crucial for relaxation and blood flow for an erection.
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2025 indicated that in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, stress and fatigue play a central role in disrupting physiological function. The more men worry about "having to perform", the more easily they get trapped in a cycle of anxiety, stress, difficulty achieving an erection, and increased anxiety.
Furthermore, late nights spent cleaning, hosting guests, or drinking during Tet silently devastate the body's hormonal "maintenance workshop". According to JAMA, just mot week of sleeping 5 hours each night can reduce daytime testosterone levels in young men by 10-15%, directly causing sluggishness and a complete loss of libido.
Moreover, financial pressure transforms intimacy into "a task to be completed" rather than a natural need for connection. Data from Mengesha and colleagues (2025) also recorded financial burden as mot of the leading causes of increased rates of sexual dysfunction in men.
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Dr. Duy advises patients. Photo: Lam Anh
Dr. Duy often sees many cases immediately after Tet with concerns like "I no longer have desire, it must be due to pressure, but I fear it's a disease". For instance, a 40-year-old male patient, after a period of year-end financial closing and continuous partying with little sleep, experienced reduced libido and difficulty maintaining an erection. Tests showed a sharp drop in his testosterone levels while cortisol surged. The firm recommendation in such cases is to absolutely avoid using "quick-fix" remedies passed by word-of-mouth. Instead, the focus must be on restoring the natural biological rhythm, according to Dr. Duy.
The doctor advises men, instead of worrying or self-reproaching after Tet, to immediately adopt body "maintenance" principles: "repay" sleep debt by going to bed 30-60 minutes earlier each day; reduce alcohol intake, minimize new year drinking parties, eat light, and reduce salt; resume physical activity, dedicating at least 20-30 minutes of brisk walking each day to stimulate blood circulation.
If the decline in performance persists and affects psychological well-being, men should overcome hesitation and consult a men's health specialist. Correctly identifying the cause as psychological, hormonal, or vascular will guide patients toward the safest and most effective intervention.
Le Phuong
