I developed it one year ago at age 66. It sometimes subsides for a few days then starts again. I have constant orgasms, often waking me at night. The longest episode lasted almost 4 hrs. In all my research and in talking with doctors, I’ve gotten no real help because my situation is “not a sexual dysfunction.” Can you shed some light? Thanx.

Responses

  • Michael Castleman says:

    My heart goes out to you. Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS), also known as Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD), is the butt of jokes, but it’s no joke to the women who suffer this puzzling, maddening condition.

    PSAS was first identified in 2001 by the late Sandra Leiblum, Ph.D., a noted sex researcher, who documented a few cases. Since then a few dozen more have been reported.

    PSAS involves spontaneous, ongoing, uncontrollable genital arousal—unrelated to any feelings of sexual interest or desire. These feelings can be very intense, may persist for days or weeks, and may cause sudden, spontaneous orgasms. PSAS also causes embarrassment, shame, and feelings of desperation, even thoughts of suicide.

    PSAS appears to be similar to priapism in men, which involves persistent, unwanted erections unrelated to sexual desire or arousal that may last for hours, and often require surgical deflation. Some sources call PSAS “clitoral priapism.”

    PSAS is not related to hyper-sexuality, also known as nymphomania, because women who are hypersexual experience sexual desire and want sex. In PSAS, there is no desire, just persistent, uncontrollable arousal, like an itch that drives you crazy but can’t be scratched.

    The cause is unknown. Some women have developed it after trauma, for example, auto accident. In others, it seems to have something to do with sensory nerve irregularities. In most of the small number of cases, it simply appears spontaneously.

    Currently, there is no standard treatment for PSAS. Most women with the condition masturbate several times a day, which may or may not provide temporary relief. Sexual medicine specialists have also tried anesthetics, genital icing, pelvic surgery, electroconvulsive (shock) therapy, and a variety of drugs, including antidepressants, and termination of antidepressants in PSAS sufferers who have been taking them. Results have been inconsistent.

    Here’s what I suggest you do:

    Read up on it. Google the condition and you’ll find a fair amount of information.

    Join the online support group: http://www.psas-support.com. Here you’ll find more information and women who know exactly what you’re going through.

    As you have discovered, most physicians are not trained in sexual medicine, and can’t be expected to know anything about a condition as new, rare, and puzzling as PSAS. I urge you to consult a sex therapist, ideally one who can refer you to and work with a physician trained in sexual medicine. To find a sex therapist near you, visit the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, or the American Board of Sexology.

Leave a Response

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.