Persistent genital arousal disorder 409699 222986741 2008-07-02T01:31:05Z Bobo192 97951 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/219.97.87.106|219.97.87.106]] ([[User talk:219.97.87.106|talk]]) to last version by SmackBot '''Persistent genital arousal disorder''' (also known as '''persistent sexual arousal syndrome''' or '''PSAS''') results in a spontaneous and persistent [[sexual arousal|genital arousal]], with or without [[orgasm]] or genital engorgement, unrelated to any feelings of [[sexual desire]]. It was first documented by Dr. [[Sandra Leiblum]] in 2001, only recently characterized as a distinct [[syndrome]] in medical literature.<ref name="Leiblum">{{cite journal|url=http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/link.asp?id=g9gq0hjjx8fhp0n6|title=Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome: A Newly Discovered Pattern of Female Sexuality|author=Leiblum, S.R. & Nathan, S.G.|journal=[[Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy]]|date=July 1, 2001|volume=27|issue=4|pages=365–380|doi=10.1080/009262301317081115}}</ref> Some physicians use the term Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome to refer to the condition in women; others consider the syndrome of [[priapism]] in men to be the same disorder.<ref name="Leiblum"/><ref name="Boston"/> In particular, it is ''not'' related to [[hypersexuality]], sometimes known as nymphomania or satyriasis. In addition to being very rare, the condition is also frequently unreported by sufferers who may consider it shameful or embarrassing. Physical arousal caused by this syndrome can be very intense and persist for extended periods, days or weeks at a time. [[Orgasm]] can sometimes provide temporary relief, but within hours the symptoms return. The symptoms can be debilitating, preventing concentration on mundane tasks. Some situations, such as riding in an [[automobile]] or [[train]], vibrations from [[mobile phone]]s, and even going to the [[toilet]] can aggravate the syndrome unbearably. {{Fact|date=July 2008}} == Possible causes and treatment== There is not enough known about persistent genital arousal disorder to definitively pinpoint a cause. Medical professionals think it is caused by an irregularity in [[sensory nerves]], and note that the disease has a tendency to strike post-[[menopause|menopausal]] women in their 40s and 50s, or those who've undergone [[Hormone replacement therapy|hormonal treatment]]. But, there have also been cases reported among women in their 30s.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} Some drugs such as [[trazodone]] may cause it as a side effect<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0689/is_n1_v44/ai_19122981/pg_4|title=Medications that may contribute to sexual disorders: a guide to assessment and treatment in family practice|author=Finger, William W., Lund, Margaret and Slagel, Mark A.|journal=[[Journal of Family Practice]]|date=Jan, 1997 |volume=44|issue=1|pages=33–43}}</ref>, in which case discontinuing the medication may give relief. Additionally, the condition can sometimes start only after the discontinuation of [[SSRI]]s.<ref>Goldmeier D, Leiblum SR. ''Persistent genital arousal in women - a new syndrome entity'' Int J STD & AIDS 2006; 17:215-6. PMID 16595040.</ref> In some recorded cases, the syndrome was caused by a pelvic arterial-venous malformation with arterial branches to the [[penis]] or [[clitoris]]; surgical treatment was effective in this case<ref name="Boston">{{cite news | first=Irwin | last=Goldstein | coauthors= | title=Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome | date=3/1/2004 | publisher=Boston University Medical Center Institute for Sexual Medicine | url =http://www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Content.aspx?DepartmentID=371&PageID=8710 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-05-04 | language = }}</ref>. In other situations where the cause is unknown or less easily treatable, the symptoms can sometimes be reduced by the use of [[antidepressant]]s, [[antiandrogen]]ic agents and [[anaesthetic|anaesthetising]] gels. [[Psychotherapy]] with cognitive reframing of the arousal as a healthy response may also be used. ==See also== *[[Priapism]] *[[Clitorism]] ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.psas.nl Information about PSAS in Dutch and English] *[http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WaterCooler/Story?id=3676562&page=1 Medical Mystery: Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome] From ABC News 20/20 [[Category:Gynecology]] [[Category:Sexual health]] [[Category:Sexual arousal]] [[Category:Syndromes]] [[cs:Syndrom PSAS]] [[da:Persistent Sexual Arousal Disorder]] [[de:Persistent sexual arousal syndrome]] [[fr:Syndrome d'excitation génitale persistante]] [[nl:Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome]] [[ja:持続性性喚起症候群]] [[pt:Síndrome de Excitação Sexual Persistente]] [[zh:持續性性興奮症候群]]