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. Women suffering from this syndrome, are constantly and involuntarily living in, or to the edge 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…

Outrageous stories and misconceptions

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 300 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 testemonies from women with PSAS (PGAD), 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. 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.

All information can be found on psas.nl

My name is Johanna Vante (Netherlands) and I suffer from PSAS/PGAD