Persistent Arousal Disorder (PGAD/PGAS)

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder, also known as PGAD or Restless Genital Syndrome or Persistent Genital Arousal Syndrome, is a condition characterized by unrelenting, spontaneous and uncontainable genital arousal in females. The condition may or may not include arousal with orgasm and/or genital engorgement. The patient's arousal is not linked to sexual desire.

 

A sufferer of PGAD may experience episodes of intense arousal (without sexual desire) several times a day for weeks and even months. Climaxing (reaching orgasm) may alleviate symptoms for a while. However, in many cases the symptoms come back within a few hours. Symptoms come back suddenly and without warning - the patient cannot usually identify the triggers and avoid them.

If symptoms are ignored and not acted upon, the patient may experience waves of spontaneous orgasms. It is said to be a debilitating condition which can leave people unable to focus on everyday tasks.

Chronic (long-term) sufferers of persistent genital arousal disorder may eventually lose their sense of pleasure with all things sexual, because release from symptoms, which is achieved by having an orgasm, becomes associated with relief from pain rather than something to enjoy.