A STUDENT has told about the reality of living with an unbearable condition that leaves her permanently aroused.
Scarlet Kaitlin Wallen was just six years old when she began to feel strong and constant “pins and needles” in her genitals.
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She would later be diagnosed with persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) – a condition that causes uncontrollable arousal.
The researchers estimated that this could affect one percent of the populationalthough not all symptoms are very serious.
The young woman, now 21, has only had a few pain-free days, which has prevented her from working or studying full time.
But with treatments and surgeries being developed all the time, Scarlet remains hopeful that one day she will be able to have “a life without PGAD.”
She even had some genital nerves removed in an attempt to numb the pain.
Scarlet, a part-time courier and art student from Rhode Island, USA, said: “For as long as I can remember, I have been in pain.
“My vulva was constantly burning – it was like I was naturally aroused, but I didn’t want it.
“There is pain in the nerves, it is not wanted – and there is no pleasure.
“I hope that I can have a pain-free sexual relationship in my lifetime.”
‘Burning bugs under my skin’
Scarlet’s first memories of PGAD began when she was six – and it would stop her from playing with her friends.
She described the pain as “burning insects under my skin” – and as if her genitals were on fire.
“In my brain it was like, I don’t want to feel this,” she added. “I wanted to play outside.”
When puberty hit at age 13, she started going random days without pain.
I still want to have sex – but currently my choice is between living with PGAD or being completely numb
Scarlet Kaitlin Wallen
But the burning, unwanted arousal would return with a vengeance after a few days – and Scarlet would deliberately use steam to rub her genitals to divert attention from the unwanted arousal.
The chemicals in the massage gave her severe thrush — but she found the “rawness and burning” more tolerable than the pain of PGAD.
She said: “PGAD alone was unbearable – and such a strange feeling.
“I started trying to help him with the steam massage and found that at least if I wasn’t treating myself, the pain I would feel would distract me.
“I wish my genitals burned from this instead of PGAD.”
Anxiety
Scarlet’s PGAD, along with other conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), caused her to become a recluse as a teenager.
She struggled to make friends due to her anxiety – and couldn’t be around people for long periods of time in case she had a PGAD flare-up.
What is persistent genital arousal disorder? And what are the symptoms?
PERSISTENT genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is spontaneous, persistent, and unwanted genital arousal without any sexual desire or satisfaction.
Multiple orgasms over hours, days or weeks can be distressing for the sufferer, offering no relief.
Scientists do not know what causes the disease, but they suspect that neurological, vascular, pharmacological or psychological causes may play a role.
Symptoms can persist for long periods of time and include:
- Pressure
- Pain
- Throbbing clitoris
- Tingling
- Vaginal congestion
- Vaginal contractions
- Spontaneous orgasms
Signs and symptoms can affect the vagina, labia, perineum and anus.
The condition can impact the patient’s professional and home life, leaving many embarrassed and avoiding sexual relations.
Shortly before finishing high school in 2020, Scarlet went to the doctor for the first time so she could attend college without worrying about her condition.
“At 18, I was sure my body was attacking me,” she added. “So I wrote a letter to my parents.
“I didn’t want to tell them face to face, but it was getting so bad that I couldn’t hide it from them anymore.
“I wrote that I had constant nerve pain that wasn’t even pain, it was worse.
“I told them it was something I had no control over.”
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corrective surgery
With the help of her 54-year-old father, an investment banker, Scarlet was referred to the San Diego Sexual Medicine Clinic in California.
Her doctor was certain that Scarlet was suffering from PGAD along with other sexual dysfunctions, such as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction – numbness in the genitals caused by antidepressants.
He also discovered she suffered from another condition – congenital neuroproliferative vestibulodynia – which means the pelvic nerves are hypersensitive to touch, and Scarlet has suffered from it since birth.
This is thought to have caused PGAD.
In an attempt to discover the cause and the correct treatment, the doctor examined Scarlet for the first time.
But he discovered she had many other complications – including a doubled vagina.
She said: “My doctor, Dr Irwin, told me he wanted to have a vestibulectomy, which is surgery to remove painful tissue from the vagina.
“But during the examination, they discovered that I had a duplicate.
“So first, I would need to remove the blocked tissue from the vagina – the thing that was causing it to split into two parts.
“Then I could have my vestibulectomy.”
Hope for a normal life
In February 2023, Scarlet had the septate wall of her vagina removed – and it took her just a week to recover.
Her vestibulectomy took place on September 8, 2023 – but she only had parts of the painful tissue removed, giving her a greater chance of having a “normal” sex drive in the future.
She added: “I was told that there was a significant possibility that I would not be able to feel any kind of natural sexual arousal again if I had it all removed – due to my post-SSRI sexual dysfunction.”
“I still want to have sex – but currently my choice is between living with PGAD or being completely numb.
“I just have hope that one day I will be able to live a normal life.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
