Doctors in China are investigating a rare and distressing case of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) in a 20-year-old woman. The condition causes constant physical arousal and multiple orgasms each day without sexual desire or stimulation.
Her symptoms began at 14 and have severely disrupted her life, making it impossible to attend school, work, or maintain relationships. She described the episodes as “recurrent and spontaneous orgasmic experiences” that she cannot control. Neurological tests ruled out epilepsy, and scans found no physical abnormalities.
PGAD affects around 1% of women in the US, but experts believe it is underdiagnosed. Symptoms can include throbbing, burning, itching, or pressure, and unlike normal sexual arousal, it brings no pleasure and no predictable relief. Possible causes may include nerve damage, spinal issues, medication side effects, or chemical imbalances in the brain.
Researchers from Peking University Sixth Hospital say there is currently no cure. As one medical explanation notes, “You don’t know when your body will return to its baseline,” making daily life for patients both unpredictable and exhausting.
