Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a newly recognized condition of uncertain etiology with limited data on successful treatment. It best can be described as persistent physiological arousal in the absence of conscious feelings of sexual desire. PGAD consists of extended periods of sexual excitement that neither diminish on their own nor resolve with ordinary orgasmic experiences. The arousal is distressing, unwanted, and often painful. The majority of PGAD cases have been identified in women. Although the disorder can occur in men, there is no data on prevalence in men and little is known about whether or not there a common etiology is shared with female cases of PGAD. The chapter ends by discussing several possible etiologies and four main treatment options.
Persistent genital arousal disorder: A neurodevelopmental hypothesis