So a while back I posted in r/AskSeddit about what I had been doing to start dating and build my self confidence a bit and since then I've actually become a much more accomplished and self-assured person. Just not in dating.

I realised one day that part of the issue might be medical, last time I slept with someone was painful, and that was something that probably needed a doctors attention. I did some googling and found that the issue needed a surgical fix (circumcision) and my doctor confirmed that I was experiencing the issue and I'd need the surgery. My surgeon said some really comforting things, the issue would be an easy fix, it was a several weeks recovery and then I'd be free to enjoy myself. I'd be able to feel more confident with women, etc etc.

It's been almost two months now, and while I feel way more confident in myself and my body, I realised I'm now terrified of the prospect of dating. It's comforting to hear that the only barriers preventing you from being a confident sexual person are psychological, but two medical professionals confirmed that I had a physical one. It's fixed now, but in the back of my mind is the thought "maybe it's not, you're still busted goods" Or "Sure, they fixed that issue, but what else is a problem?"

Then there's also the anxiousness about my privates too, they can't effectively bandage the area, so for nearly a week I was leaking blood. Dealing with that is a little traumatising, right now my stomach twists a little every time I see Tinder on my phone.

Perhaps I need therapy, but all around I actually feel really good, really happy and confident. It's just this fear of dating I need to squash.