A new study at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) says that Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a neurological disease and not a psychiatric condition.
The researchers say that PGAD can be caused because of the altered firing of nerves that carry sensation from the genitals, or by damage to the lower parts of the spinal cord. According to them, neurological treatments can help cure the condition.
PGAD is a condition of impulsive and uncontrollable arousal of genitalia even without any sexual intent or desire. Females exclusively suffer from this disease and often ignore it as a fun state. Women, especially, teenagers feel confused and ashamed of their condition and feel unconfident while explaining the symptoms to the doctor.
The research procedure
The research was published in the journal PAIN reports and ten women having PGAD symptoms were examined. The women varied largely in their age gaps between the age of 11 to 70 years.
Four out of the 10 women examined for the research had spinal nerve-root cysts while two of them had sensory nerve damage. One was born with a defect in her lowest spinal cord, hence, possessing the symptoms since birth. Another woman had a lumbosacral herniated disc in her lower back. One patient developed a short-lived PGAD after abruptly they stop taking a prescribed antidepressant.
Removal of cysts, treating nerve damage and other neurological treatments were effective in 80% of the patients. Psychiatric and gynecological treatments could not improve the condition of such suffering women.
The study would help the general public be aware of such a disorder than can potentially hamper their mental health and personal life.