Male persistent genital arousal disorder may jokingly sound like something all young men have, but it is a serious medical condition. Until recent years, it was thought that only women were suffering from PGAD, but that is most likely because women tend to address their medical concerns in a more timely and open manner. We know statistically men are especially slow to talk about sexual dysfunction, even with their physicians. When men are willing to report their PGAD symptoms, they are not only being diagnosed and treated, they are also being properly re-diagnosed. It is not uncommon for patients with PGAD symptoms to have been misdiagnosed with conditions like priapism, hard-flaccid syndrome, or worse, not be taken seriously and told: “you’re just horny.” 

PGAD presents with genital arousal without any present sexual stimuli or thought. Genital arousal from PGAD in men is not limited to just getting an erection. Patients find their erections cannot be completely relieved by ejaculation or sexual intercourse. Some of the other uncontrolled and unrelenting symptoms in both genital and anal areas include throbbing, engorgement, tingling or pressure. Some patients also experience severe chronic pain. 

There is no way to predict when someone with PGAD will become aroused. When people first start dealing with symptoms that they yet understand, they often cope by bringing themselves to orgasm. Of course, this is not always an available treatment depending on the time and location when arousal symptoms start. Furthermore, patients report while orgasm can bring some relief, it often does does not last, nor alleviate all the arousal. 

Finding the definitive cause of male PGAD has been a challenge for the medical community, due to both lack of research funding and it’s only been recently identified in the male population. It also appears that for both male and female patients there is not one unique single cause. The known causes range from psychological and neurological disorders to promising new insight connecting PGAD with restless leg syndrome. 

Treatment should be sought by patients with PGAD San Diego CA when they feel persistent genital arousal disorder is interfering with their quality of life. Some examples of how patients can experience decreased quality of life from PGAD can be distractions during business meetings or work, interfering with family time or childcare responsibilities, lack of understanding from romantic partners, or arousal during critical life events when it’s impossible to step away to deal with symptoms. 

Treatments for PGAD are as varied as the possible causes. There is a wide range of options that include pharmaceutical interventions with oral, topical and injectable medication, various electronic devices and specialized pelvic floor therapy. These treatments can be used independently or in conjunction with meditation, hypnosis, and counseling. 

While it may take time for patients with PGAD to find the right treatment that works best for them, they should be encouraged to continue to clearly communicate with their medical team. Like any other medical condition, finding a supportive physician is vital to the successful outcome of living with PGAD and reclaiming their quality of life.