Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder – Can you imagine being sexually or genetically aroused all the time but without a desire? An individual suffering from PGAD goes through such unwanted and painful sensations. PGAD, though a rare disorder (affects about 1% of females [1]), cases have found that women are the sufferers of PGAD, in most cases. However, it can occur to anyone. Such individuals seek sex as a relief from pain rather than doing it as a result of sexual arousal. PGAD is a less recognized disorder and people are also reluctant to seek help in such sensitive cases.
In this article, we will look into some of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments of PGAD.
Table of Contents
What is PGAD?
Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder, PGAD, also known as restless genital syndrome, is a disorder that encompasses constant and spontaneous sensations of the genitals.
PGAD can occur to anyone regardless of gender but predominantly, affects women, and can last for hours Or even days. An individual suffering from PGAD, gets these sensations without any outer stimuli or sexual thought, leading to constant pain, discomfort, and maybe embarrassment. PGAD significantly impacts the daily life, mental health, and relationships of the sufferers.
Earlier, and in some places, these symptoms are associated with hypersexuality Or always being in the mood to have sex. But that’s actually not true, these sensations can start with any minor vibrations (or no vibrations at all) and don’t go away, even after multiple orgasms.
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Symptoms of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
PGAD can lead to an increase in blood flow, especially around the genitals. The symptoms may last for hours, days, Or even weeks.
Some of the symptoms of PGAD are as follows:
- Unpleasant and uncontrollable sensations of arousal
- Pain or discomfort
- Sensations in clitoris.
- Unwanted orgasm
- Increased vaginal secretions
You will find that these symptoms keep on going and coming at intervals, indicating temporary relief but prolonged pain.
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Causes of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
There is very little research done on finding the cause of PGAD. But it is often linked to:
- Psychological constraints such as Stress.
- Hormonal therapy
- Side effects of antidepressants
- Infections in genitals
- Pelvic issues
PGAD is also linked to dysfunction of the nervous system. In a 2012 study, MRI results show that 66.7% of women who demonstrate PGAD symptoms also have a Tarlov cyst.[2] Cysts are fluid-filled sacs on nerves near the base of the spine which are responsible for sending signals or stimulation to genitals. Doctors are still finding the causes of PGAD and developing certain specific medications for it.
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Diagnosis & Treatment
The diagnosis for PGAD can depend on your medical history, body’s hormonal levels, sexual history, relationship with your partner, and lifestyle. Your doctor may also recommend you for MRI, CT scans, Tests to check the function of your nervous system, etc.
Since there’s very little known about the causes of PGAD, there are some mild treatments your doctor can suggest to you, which include:
- Pelvic massages
- Removal of cysts
- Cognitive therapy
- Anxiety treatment
- Pain relief medication
The treatment can vary on whether the symptoms can be pinpointed exactly or can be treated in general.
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A note from kamarth – PGAD
Persistent genital arousal disorder is a less-known disorder but has deeply impacted the patients. Primarily affecting women it can happen to anyone. PGAD encompasses a lot of emotions and sensations in genitals that are not tied to sexual desires. It can also have implications on one’s mental health, disturbance in daily life, impact relationships, and give rise to a lot of myths and misconceptions. The causes of PGAD are largely unknown leading to limited diagnosis and a lack of proper knowledge of its treatment. Thus, there is a need for further research so as to spread awareness among humankind.
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Some Additional Doubts
Question: What is PGAD?
Answer: Persistent genital arousal disorder is a rare disorder, where an individual suffers from prolonged and unpredictable genital arousal without a desire to have sex or any sexual thoughts.
Question: How is PGAD different from typical sexual arousal?
Answer: Sexual arousal results from a sexual desire or sexual thought and gets fulfilled after having sex. Whereas the sensations in the genitals in PGAD may or may not result from sexual thoughts or stimuli. It is uncontrollable and doesn’t go away even after multiple orgasms.
Question: What are the symptoms of PGAD?
Answer: Some of the symptoms of PGAD include: pain and discomfort in the genitals, unpredictable sensations in the clitoris, uncontrollable arousals, an increase in vaginal secretions or discharge, and unwanted orgasms.
Question: What causes PGAD?
Answer: Though there haven’t been many findings around the causes of PGAD, Doctors often link it to stress, hormonal therapy, side effects of antidepressants, etc.
Question: How does PGAD affect mental health?
Answer: Since PGAD is a less known and rare disorder, very few people are aware of its mental and psychological impacts. Additionally, people still associate PGAD with sex addiction or hypersexuality. Individuals with PGAD might suffer from various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and low confidence which can have serious implications. Some people have even tried to attempt suicide.
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Reference Links:
- Clevelandclinic: Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
- Goldstein I, Komisaruk BR, Pukall CF, et al. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) review of epidemiology and pathophysiology, and a consensus nomenclature and process of care for the management of persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD). J Sex Med. 2021;18(4):665-697. Accessed 8/15/2022.
- Jackowich RA, Mooney KM, Hecht E, et al. Online pelvic floor group education program for women with persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia: descriptive feasibility study. JMIR Form Res. 2021;5(1):e22450. Published 2021 Jan 11. Accessed 8/15/2022.
- Klifto KM, Dellon AL. Persistent genital arousal disorder: review of pertinent peripheral nerves. Sex Med Rev. 2020;8(2):265-273. Accessed 8/15/2022.
- Kruger THC. Can pharmacotherapy help persistent genital arousal disorder? Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2018;19(15):1705-1709. Accessed 8/15/2022.
- Aswath M., et al. (2016). Persistent genital arousal disorder.
- Carpenter, M. (1996). Human Neuroanatomy. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). (2019).
- Jackowich, B. A., et al. (2016). Persistent genital arousal disorder: A review of its conceptualizations. Potential origins, impact, and treatment