Can anxiety cause problems down there ?

[user1475795500]

Hi I know this will probably come across really odd to a few people but I don't know if stress has brought this on or Iv got some kind of condition . So my anxiety started off as health anxiety all brought in from being in a really bad relationship , since then I have left that was 7 years ago but still the anxiety remains and worse than ever . Now my anxiety is over everything single thing and I'm finding it really hard to want to be here anymore . I'm scared stiff Iv got pgad that's persistent genital arousal disorder . I had pins and needles down there 1st of all and then that turned in to real sharp shocks which would make me jump . Like when your sleeping and fall
In your dream but it would come from down there . Now this has gone on for two years and I can't take no more of it . When I'm occupied nothing happens but I think I'm so scared of having it that I'm constantly thinking and what ever problem goes on down there I'm like right I'm stuck with this forever and it makes my situation worse . Does anyone have any of these symptoms ? I'm really desperate . Thankyou all ❤️

[SaltandPepperRibs]

Hi user, I'm sorry you're having these distressing symptoms, it must be really worrying for you. Have you spoken to your GP about it? if not, that would be the first thing to do, just to rule out any physical cause to what you're experiencing.

Also, have you had any therapy since leaving the bad relationship? Counselling to talk through what you've been through, or CBT to deal with the anxiety could really help.

When we're anxious our 'fight or flight' system kicks in. This kicks off with a massive surge of adrenaline which leaves us kind of like a coiled spring; highly emotionally and physically aroused and ready to pounce. It can lead to tingling or numbness in extremities, usually fingers, toes and face. The fact that it doesn't happen when you're distracted does seem to point to something related to thinking processes, but get this checked out.

The other thing that happens in health anxiety, is that we become super aware of every physical sensation in our body and we start noticing things we wouldn't have ordinarily. And if you're really looking for sensations in your body, you can find them. For example, if I say can you find an itch on your body somewhere, I bet you could find one, just because I've told you to think about it!

So, yes, it could be related to your anxiety, but you need to talk about it with your GP.

[user1475795500]

Thankyou so much for your reply . It's on my mind 24/7 and ever since reading story's about people who have pgad it's scares the crap out of me ! It's made me scared of anything to do with sex it's sounds so stupid but I can't watch anything with sex or nudity on tv anymore because it makes me feel like I'm going to have a panic attack and it's kind of ruining my life a bit to because sex / nudity is everywhere these days . I watch the same bloody thing over and over again because I know there's nothing on there to trigger my panic off . Iv been to the docters Tuesday and she give me citolopram I think Iv spelt it wrong but I couldn't tell her what Iv wrote on here because I find it really embaressing . Iv not told any one not even my boyfriend . I really don't know what's caused all this . Xxxxxx

[SaltandPepperRibs]

Then, from what you describe, I'd really recommend asking your GP for CBT. You don't have to say why, just that you're having panic attacks. There will likely be a long wait, so if you can afford it, you could look for private CBT. Or Anxiety UK can provide highly subsidised therapy if you're on a low income. They can even do it via phone or Skype to help accessibility.

Don't worry, all the symptoms you describe are quite common and can be treated. You're not alone and you're not going mad

[user1475795500]

Il Defo go back up and ask for help I really need this sorted . Reading the last bit made me fill up and in a good way because it's so nice to hear somone actually say that this is all normal symptoms thankyou from the bottom of my heart . Xxxxxxx

[SaltandPepperRibs]

good luck love

[user1475795500]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ il let you know how it goes xxxxxxx

[axm123]

I think it might be PGAD - persistent genital arousal disorder. I have been suffering for around 18 months. Was extremely stressed before and after hip surgery - that's when it started. There is a group of researchers that seem to think it's connected with lower back/pudendal nerve although work is still in its infancy. It's miserable but do confide in a friend or two. I have just been given a nerve blocker (usually used in much larger doses as an anti-depressant) so will try that, and I am having acupuncture to see if that helps. Also searching for a support group in the UK, I'll let you know if I find one. The common thinking is that more women have it than is known, but they don't talk about it for obvious reasons. Very happy to chat about my symptoms to you if it helps.x

[lou8519]

@axm123 Thankyou very much for replying . I have been convinced I have pgad for so long and it scares the crap out of me . What ever goes on down there seems to happen when I'm really stressed . I get that turning feeling like butterflies in my stomach and then it goes down there and it feels like an electric shock ! Iv now developed a huge phobia of any nudity or sex on tv / internet because it makes me really anxious and then the elec shocks happen . Iv had a really bad back this last year . I think I have sciatica and I have an obtain cyst so I wonder if it's all connected . I am on one page on Facebook but I never write or comment on there because I have a feeling that there are fake accounts . News reporters on there pretending to be one of us and getting info. Iv had about 6 inbox me ! That would be great if you could go through your symptoms . It's so scary having this isn't it . Mines worse at night and my sleep is being affected pretty badly . I don't even know if I cause my self to have it half the time because im always thinking of it even when there's nothing wrong xxxx

[axm123]

@lou8519 is there a way to private message on here so we can exchange contact details (don't use it much but was having a bad day with PGAD yesterday and was looking for a support group when I came across your post)

[lou8519]

@axm123 hi 😊 I had a really bad day with it yesterday too ! I'm in the middle of moving so I'm extra stressed which brings in on worse . I think there might be / well I hope ha ha I will have a look now . Are you on Facebook ? Type in pgad and support groups are on there I'm on it too but to be honest there's not much help there beside again I think people are too scared to comment on it because people will know who they are . I don't know how to get in contact with admin on here either to find out . Unless I report this comment and hope they will see that we only want to know not to private message 😂 il have a go now x

[lou8519]

@axm123 I have just asked admin . If there isn't a way we could always do a fake Facebook profile and talk on there ? X

[axm123]

@lou8519 ok fine

[joosiewoosie]

I've had a dodgy back recently too and my osteo and GP told me that any issues around the area you might place on a bike saddle can be related to disc pressure and nerves. Do go back to GP and ask about it if you get any back or hip pain.

[axm123]

I have just found a facebook support group, I talked to the girls who runs it by video chat and I was amazed - she has lower back problems and a tilted pelvis - as do I - I have a scoliosis (curved spine and have had two hip replacements, which is when it started). This really is starting to sound like more than coincidence.

[Bingmoomin99]

Hello I think I have PGAD and I’m in panic mode please reply if you’re still dealing with this, thanks xxx

[itsjustmeyknow]

Hey how are you doing now with this. have you recovered. Im scared that I got this too. i dont know if you have it or not. since i dont usually experience dropping sensations down there, but i do get arousal. and sometimes i get dropping sensations in my stomach. The main symptom of pgad is a form of arousal that doesn't go away. if you dont have this then it could be anxiety.

[Fluffybits]

I started having PGAD 3 days ago I had bladder spasms I was taking a medication called oxybutynin after I increase the dose came on I’m petrified every time I wee every time my bladder spasms know now I have it

[Grace02]

I know this is an old post, did it subside for any of you? Currently experiencing the same thing 😢 brought on my bladder spasms when I had drank too much and standing out in the cold! On day 5 and still experiencing it, I’m so stressed