April 24, 2008Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome And Its Pal PaxilA few months ago, I wrote about something called persistent genital arousal disorder, and here it is once again in this foxnews.com piece. This time out it's called persistent sexual arousal syndrome, and, once again, Paxil makes an appearance as a treatment that has worked for some people who've developed PGAD or PSAS, or whatever the hell the lords of the DSM are going to wind up calling this business. A researcher describes the syndrome thus: "intense feelings of genital congestion and sensations that are typically unaccompanied by any conscious awareness of sexual desire." This doesn't sound like much fun (genital congestion? yikes) and, indeed, the women interviewed in the article certainly seem to have had their entire lives overtaken by the need to get off. What's driving all of this--hormones, childbirth, etc.--isn't particularly clear, but it is evident that there are cases that won't respond to psychotherapy. One woman notes the advantages of Paxil: "'It had a good benefit,' she said. 'It put a damper on the sensations; they weren’t as strong. I could masturbate once and as time went on, it was every other day; then every few days. Now, I can go until the seventh or 10th day — and by then I can’t even concentrate.'" As I mentioned a few months back, looks like someone has finally found a good use for the sexual side effects of SSRIs. Posted by Philip Dawdy at April 24, 2008 12:03 AM
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Dearest Philip: I know this must be some kind of set up or something? {and NO I don't believe I'm having paranoid delusions}! But there is not a chance in hell I'm going to touch this one {laughing}. Just to many very bad and unsavory roads I could go down. Yours truly I prefer the old-fashioned term: Nymphomaniac. Unfortunately the market isn't as big as some people hope. :) Posted by: Rosie at April 24, 2008 12:25 AMOn a slightly off-topic thought...the E-D meds warn that "an erection lasting more than 4 hours" warrants a visit to the doctor. But, here's my question: What should you do at, say, the 3-hours-and-45-minutes point? Start packing your bags? Go at it with a hammer? We need to know out here! Posted by: MrG at April 24, 2008 08:56 AMDearest MrG: Time for a little common sense to be injected here in this comment section! May I suggest large ice packs and thinking of your or someone’s grand mother naked. If that doesn't do the trick {laughing}, then of course more painful and crud methods can be applied {smirk}. But let hope this erectile dysfunction doesn't take you to those kinds of desperate measures. I’m truly sorry to hear Mr. Barney Monster isn't behaving correctly for you {laughing}. I would also advice you stay away from women with PGAD or PSAS syndrome until you have this problem totally under control. Maybe if you add a little Paxil to your Stand at Attention medications this problem can be erectified {smirk} without too many adverse side effects. I would trust the pharmaceutical industry to be running stage 1 clinical trials in the near future {laughing}. Until then, you will just have to take a number and stand in line be hide all those rats and mice with extended erectile dysfunction (laughing my butt off). This is getting a little scary now as I may be headed in a hyper space direction; maybe Philip can help find me a brand new untested medication to try? (Don’t even think about it Philip {Laughing}). Your deeply concerned and strident fellow commenter: Stan Can we swap links for the blogroll? I have you posted http://www.jscreeb.com Posted by: J. Screeb at April 24, 2008 05:35 PMMr.G-- Does anyone have any clue about what really might be causing this PGAD -- egads? I do believe it's physical and real, not just psychological, but some behavior -- or something else -- must trigger it. Posted by: Sara at April 24, 2008 08:40 PMDear Philip: I will try to make a serious attempt and comment on this topic now I believe my space ship has now landed safely. As with any medical condition, it would make perfect sense to look for a physical cause first and foremost, before jumping on some psychological band wagon. If someone walks into a Doctor’s office with bipolar symptoms; I would hope the first thing the doctor would do is check for any thyroid problems. In this case some gynecologist out there must have some small clue about what’s going here. I’m prone to believe each case is individually based, and should be treated as such. Whether this is biological in nature by physiological changes in the genital area due to child birth, hormonal abnormalities, or some another root cause; I would hope some researchers or specialist would be able at some point target the abnormality and treat it with something other than an antidepressant medication. Of course there is always the off chance that this is viral in natire and could genetically morph into an airborne strain of this condition. I guess we can only hope {laughing}. Geez, I knew I couldn’t get through this whole comment without some snide inappropriate sexual reference. I really tried the best I could {bows head in shame}. I can actually see how this could be quite disconcerting, painful on an emotional level, and frustrating for a woman that suffers from this condition. I can only remember back to my adolescence and how many countless times I had to do readjustments to keep that stimulated state hidden as must as possible from those sitting around me in class. As with many uncommon or rare conditions I’m sure it will take some time and investigation to get the bottom of this mystery. Yet if it is physically based, the likelihood of a satisfactory outcome in much more likely, since we have a much better understanding of the genital organ function and make up, compared to the infancy of knowledge we have related through neuroscience to that organ of true mystery called our brain. Yours truly PS I believe I got through that pretty well considering. and with out to many duck and cover drills to boot{smirk} Here's a reason Paxil did it's job; and might be another good reason to avoid SSRI's altogether: Persistent Sexual Dysfunction after discontinuing SSRI's Persistent sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. 1: J Sex Med. 2008 Jan;5(1):227-33. "INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunctions such as low libido, anorgasmia, genital anesthesia, and erectile dysfunction are very common in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It has been assumed that these side effects always resolve after discontinuing treatment, but recently, four cases were presented in which sexual function did not return to baseline." Persistent sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. CONCLUSION: SSRIs can cause long-term effects on all aspects of the sexual response cycle that may persist after they are discontinued. Posted by: Stephany at April 29, 2008 10:04 PMTo all the men (and women) who've read the previous comments; this is a real medical disorder. I wish there was a treatment! Persistent Sexual (Genital) Arousal Syndrome (Disorder) PSAS or PGAD is an unknown condition and primarily affects women around menopausal age. The syndrome is characterised by a persistent and highly unwanted state of genital arousal, with or without orgasms and with or without pain. This arousal does not stem from the build-up of romantic feelings, sexual thoughts and/or desires, but is a physical state and has nothing to do with hypersexuality. Women suffering from this syndrome, are constantly and involuntarily living in, or on the verge of an orgasm and experience their condition as destructive, negative and overpowering. This considerably affects their daily functioning. The condition's nature suggests, that there must be more women suffering from PSAS (PGAD), but may be too embarrassed to talk about it, causing them to suffer in silence... Ever since the discovery of PSAS (PGAD) in 2001, all kinds of outrageous stories about this condition have been buzzing around. Because the condition has a sexual connotation, causing it to appeal to the imagination of (mainly) men, the sensation orientated media has regrettably presented this syndrome out in a disgusting manner. Tall stories about women having 500 or even 800 orgasms per day, has spectacularly boosted tabloid or magazine sales . The truth about PSAS (PGAD) is a lot less sensational, much more complicated and it is not at all enjoyable or fun to those who suffer from it. QUITE TO THE CONTRARY! Not only have these publications done injustice to the women who were interviewed; also the Persistent Sexual (Genital) Arousal Syndrome (Disorder) and the tremendous emotional pain that comes along with it was served a great deal of injustice. PSAS (PGAD) is a condition that ruins everything and it is most definitely not characterised by having an inhumane number of (spontaneous) orgasms. Nonsense......utter nonsense! The personal stories from women with PSAS, will paint an entirely different picture. PSAS (PGAD) is "living hell"! Who wants to live there!? Scientific research Thankfully there is an increasing understanding concerning this condition and thankfully science is also (albeit on a modest scale) looking for answers for this devastating illness. Apart from an American Internet study, as far as it is known, The Netherlands is the only country where serious scientific research is conducted. Dr. Marcel D. Waldinger is neuropsychiatrist and head of the Department of Consultative Psychiatry and the outpatient Department of Neurosexology at Leyenburg Hospital in The Hague in The Netherlands.He is Associate Professor in Sexual Psychopharmacology at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands. Dr. Waldinger has acquired international fame conducting research on treatment of sexual dysfunctions and is regarded as the top expert in the field of premature ejaculation. For a number of years now Dr. Waldinger has also been involved with neurobiological research regarding PSAS (PGAD). He treats and counsels women suffering from this condition. Dr. Waldinger: "Not much can be said about the cause of the syndrome with any certainty. A psychological cause seems highly unlikely in my opinion. My research therefore is specifically aimed at finding a physical cause." One of the best topics of 2008 Posted by: Stephany at December 30, 2008 10:10 PMI do get relief after each orgasm, however, as soon as I finish I feel the need for another and another and another. I do have a difficult time working. Many trips to the bathroom esp if my adrenalin is in overload. I wonder if this is my problem??? Posted by: Mel at May 22, 2009 10:54 AMI have a friend with this problem. I can attest to the fact it is most unpleasant, nothing like real desire and quite different from hypersexuality. My friend is a sexual abuse survivor with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). I've always figured this problem was related to her abuse issues, but it could well be medication related. There isn't a pill on earth she hasn't taken. Posted by: Sherry at May 22, 2009 01:37 PMPost a comment
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