Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)?! Help!

[Helpmeandmyvagina]

I am a regular poster and I've name changed for this as I'm very embarrassed by it. Promise I'm not a troll. Have only told DH and I'm trying to muster the courage to talk to a GP.

I am female (obviously, as I'm posting in women's health, but for the avoidance of any doubt!) and in my mid-30s.

For several days now, I've had what I can only describe as an unprovoked and constant aroused feeling - sensitive and swollen vulva, contracting muscles (like a constant low level orgasm that doesn't subside), and pressure on my bladder (I feel as if I need a wee all the time, but struggle to wee).

I've tried having sex and that didn't help, masturbation didn't either. It might sound like a "nice" problem to have but I'm finding it very uncomfortable - bordering on painful - and frustrating. I wouldn't mind an increase in my sex drive (DH certainly wouldn't!) but it's actually putting me off having sex. And it feels very inappropriate to be so (physically, not mentally) aroused when going about my day-to-day including looking after my young kids

I've Googled it (as you do) and found Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder, PGAD. It seems to fit I guess. Does anyone else have it? Any advice?

If it's only been a few days, and it came on quite suddenly, I'd be wanting to rule out an infection, vaginal or UTI (abnormal swelling can make everything feel more sensitive)

Also, might be an obvious one, but have you changed birth control, or stopped breastfeeding recently, and/or could you be pregnant?

Thank you, yes good point about ruling out an infection.

None of those things - I've had a hormonal coil for over 18 months, definitely not pregnant (god forbid) and still breastfeeding, haven't changed the frequency lately either (went down to just one feed at bedtime but that was a while ago).

The only thing that's changed is that I'm on sertraline and I increased my dose (from 50mg to 100mg) about 6 weeks ago I guess. I'd be surprised if it was that, though?!

Have you had any changes of meds or any other physiological changes?

Anti depressants can cause a loss of libido so I suppose it makes sense it could do the opposite. After ruling out a UTI, it would be worth talking to the GP.

Yes I think I'll have to. Such a weird thing to have to discuss with a GP!

Very hot bath might help if you haven't tried that, depending what's causing it. Or painkillers.

Just speak to your gp/practice nurse. Don't try fixing it yourself.

Sounds like a UTI to me.

I'd try a bath, and pain killers if not contraindicated, while waiting to speak to GP. Muscle spasms or local inflammation can cause this. But then I would speak to GP anyway because of the anti-depressant

Why weird? What do you think they're there to talk about.

If you have problems contacting your gp you could try a local sexual health clinic if there is one avaliable.

I started with this (aged about 36) after having a baby/miscarriage and MVAC, unsure which one it started after but I experience it during/run up to ovulation (fertile time). Tbh I just put it down to my age and hormones before starting menopause, as though my body is screaming at me on behalf of my biological clock.

FWIW I don't think it's a UTI, I've had several and it doesn't feel anything like it. I do need to rule it out though.

I should also have said that I had vulvodynia for many years in the past, saw a gynaecologist specialising in it, and had sessions with a women's health physio... so I have a history of vulval sensitivity and pelvic floor dysfunction. Oh and I had PGP in both pregnancies which has never completely gone away since having DC2 nearly 2 years ago. So I am stressing somewhat that my whole pelvic/genital area is broken!

It would be nice if it was something simple and fixable like a UTI, though.

Before COVID hit I actually had this for a few weeks. It was weird and very distracting. Especially being horny at blooming work! Having more orgasms didn’t improve things. I had to wear really loose clothes cos even my clothes pressing on me was arousing. You have my sympathies as it was horrid but only lasted for a limited time.

@Spudina Thank you. Sorry you had it too but it's promising to hear that it stopped after a while in your case. Fingers crossed! And yes, it is indeed weird and very distracting.

I should also have said that I had vulvodynia for many years in the past, saw a gynaecologist specialising in it, and had sessions with a women's health physio... so I have a history of vulval sensitivity and pelvic floor dysfunction.

This ^

I was going to suggest over-tight pelvic floor muscles anyway and then saw your post.

Just like women can have slack pelvic floors, some women have ones that are too tight.

Maybe see a physio if it caries on? There are exercises you can do to help release the muscles.

Thank you. Pre kids I definitely had an issue with releasing my pelvic floor and the women's health physio helped with that. Since having kids (two vaginal births) my pelvic floor is weaker so I didn't think it would be that. But perhaps it's still a factor. IIRC I think the physio said it's possible to have both a weak and a tense pelvic floor (you have to fully release the muscles to be able to strengthen them properly... or something like that! It was a long time ago!)

@Helpmeandmyvagina My understanding is like yours, that the PF has different sets of muscles- slow twitch and longer - which control different functions (former controls peeing and shuts it off!) which is why PF exercises consist of slow and fast contractions. You can have an imbalance between the two and that can give pain and PF Dysfunction.

Yes, that makes sense.

Try having a constantly stimulated clitoris due to LS

Is it a competition now?
I'm sorry you have LS but what was the point of your post?!

Anecdotally I've heard that taking antihistamine can help. Might be worth trying?

If you have a coil have you checked the strings?

If it's slipped down or moved position it maybe in a position it's pressing on an area and causing this.

I got a surge of sexual drive starting on tamoxifen which affects oestrogen levels - though not really your issues, but I would think hormones due to reducing sertraline maybe or cutting back breastfeeding or being post birth.???

Good point. Will check later when I get a quiet moment to have a rummage.

Macaroni46
Interesting - I wonder why that is. If coil is all present and correct and urine test is clear, i might try them, can't do much harm.

Hyacinth2
Hope you are doing well on the tamoxifen. In my case I don't think it is hormonal tbh as it's nearly 2 years since I gave birth and as I said, I haven't reduced breastfeeds recently (been consistently feeding at bedtime only for a while). Will ask GP about the sertraline though.