In this video, Dr. Doe explains Persistent Genital arousal syndrome. As a professional sex therapist and physician, Dr. Doe helps her clients through various sexual issues. She describes a recent call from a distraught client. She had what felt like an orgasm while she was exercising and it had never come to resolution. The resolution of an orgasm is where sensitivity subsides and the body enters a state of relaxation.
After trips to several other doctors, she was continually diagnosed with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder with no solution. But how bad can constant arousal actually feel? Dr. Doe provides an example: a quick ice bath may feel invigorating – but constantly being submerged in ice water will hurt! Constant arousal is a bit like a constant ice bath. You just want it to stop. People with this disorder describe the feeling as tortuous. Some have said they would rather rid themselves of their sexual organs than continue dealing with this disorder.
Have you ever felt the urge to sneeze and nothing happens? When you don’t get the release the sneeze provides it is kind of annoying. People with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder constantly feel right on the verge of orgasming but nothing happens. That is more than just annoying, that’s agonizing.
Symptoms
- Feelings of persistent and wanted physical arousal
- Throbbing, engorgement, pressure, and discomfort in the genital and surrounding area.
- This all happens without sexual desire.
- There are varying degrees of irritation.
- Restless leg syndrome and the frequent urge to urinate.
- Stress and depression.
Causes
- Vascular: could be due to blood flow or lack-there-of to the genitals
- Neurologic: something to do with the brain.
- Pharmacologic: Could be a side-effect of a medication
- Hormonal: Might be a reaction to hormonal changes.
- Idiopathic: Something completely unrelated to any of the above that is uncertain
- With so many possible causes, you can imagine how hard it is to narrow them down to right one.
Treatments
- It seems obvious – just have an orgasm, right? WRONG. Sexual contact does not lessen the symptoms. It actually makes them worse.
- To start treating this disorder, first, call a gynecologist to make sure what you are feeling is a serious disorder.
- After that some treatments include:
- Counselling
- Local anesthetic
- Electroconvulsive therapy
- Hypnosis
- Change in medication
- Surgery
- Distraction
Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder has led to many suicides and needs to be taken seriously. If you think this is what you are dealing with, please find a medical professional that who understands the disorder.
