Doctors in China have detailed a rare and deeply distressing case of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) — a little-known condition that can cause spontaneous, uncontrollable orgasm-like sensations without any sexual desire.

The patient, a 20-year-old woman whose identity has not been revealed, has lived with the symptoms for the past five years, enduring multiple orgasms each day that would strike without warning and last anywhere from seconds to hours, per Psypost.

The condition is far from enjoyable. Credit: Arman Zhenikeyev - professional photographer from Kazakhstan / Getty

Far from pleasurable, the condition left her unable to attend school or work, strained her relationships, and fueled severe psychological distress.

Her ordeal began at the age of 14, when she first experienced unusual genital sensitivity alongside troubling beliefs — including the idea that others could read her thoughts — leading to psychiatric hospitalization for depressive and psychotic symptoms.

Around that time, she started feeling what she described as an “electric” sensation rising through her abdomen, followed by pelvic contractions similar to orgasms.

Over the years, she cycled through anti-epileptic and psychiatric medications without relief.

At one point, she became convinced her orgasms were being externally controlled, compounding her distress.

Neurologists ultimately ruled out epilepsy using EEG monitoring, and physical exams showed no structural abnormalities in her brain or reproductive system.

Her diagnosis: persistent genital arousal disorder — a condition formally described only in 2001 and still poorly understood.

As Jing Yan and Dafang Ouyang of Peking University Sixth Hospital explained in their case report: “The sexual arousal symptoms are characterized by recurrent and spontaneous orgasmic experiences.”

Unlike typical sexual arousal, PGAD occurs without desire and without the mental satisfaction of knowing release is imminent.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms can include pressure, throbbing, burning, itching, or even pins-and-needles sensations, and they can be deeply disruptive.

Possible triggers range from nerve damage and spinal abnormalities to medication side effects.

Some studies suggest antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug changes may play a role, while others point to dopamine imbalance in the brain’s reward and arousal systems.

In this case, doctors believe dopamine may have been the key. When the woman began treatment with the antipsychotic risperidone — later switched to olanzapine — her symptoms quickly eased.

Within weeks, the orgasms became less frequent and less severe, and her delusions subsided. She was able to return to work and social life.

However, when she stopped taking the medication on her own, her symptoms returned — only to improve again once the drugs were resumed.

This response, the authors suggest, supports the theory that dopamine-blocking medications could help manage PGAD in certain patients.

The woman had the condition for five years. Credit: Emelie Ollila / Getty

Still, they caution against overgeneralizing. PGAD affects an estimated 0.6% to 3% of the population — more often women — and each case can stem from different causes. What works for one patient may not work for another.

The case, published July 10, 2025, in AME Case Reports, offers rare insight into a condition that remains both underdiagnosed and stigmatized. 

Featured image credit: Emelie Ollila / Getty

Sex is a normal part of life and any relationship. Whether you're married, in a long-term relationship, or just looking for a bit of fun - sex is often an enjoyable activity for any two (or more) people.

However, for 26-year-old Jillian Currie, her sex life has become "virtually non-existent" over the last six years, as a result of a string of gynecological conditions that she has suffered with since she lost her virginity at 16.

Jillian, of Buckinghamshire, England, now fears that she will never have a successful romance, due to the fact sex can cause her vagina to tear "as if she has given birth" - the pain of which leaves her struggling to walk.

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Since starting mysteriously, Jillian's condition has left medical experts baffled, and now she is sharing her story to help banish taboos surrounding vaginal conditions and let other women with issues know they are not alone.

Speaking to Press Association, Jillian says: "There’s a stereotype that women have a lower sex drive than men, but that isn’t always the case. I’ve wanted to do it, but not been able to – then I end up feeling frustrated that I can’t satisfy the other person.

"I can’t help feeling like there is a difference in the way men and women’s bodies are treated in medicine. Woman are expected to just suffer in silence, and a lot of the time, we aren’t even properly taught about our own bodies.

"It’s so hard not to lose faith, but I really want to encourage others out there to be persistent and keep pushing for an answer. You know your own body, so trust in yourself."

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Sharing her views on her personal blog, Queens of Eve, Jillian revealed how her vaginal issues started when she lost her virginity back in 2010 - around the same time she was fitted with a contraceptive implant.

She recalls the implant causing irregular bleeding, which did not settle as her body struggled to adapt to the surge of hormones.

Jillian was then placed on a version of the Pill - but this only exacerbated her symptoms, This, combined with the various hormones lead to the e-commerce worker suffering from anxiety.

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After doctors took her off contraception in 2011, things seemed relatively normal. That was, until 2014, when a 20-year-old Jillian – who was then in a relationship – started to mysteriously tear the skin of her perineum (the area between the legs) every time she had sex, leaving her in agony.

She said: "I’d be left with a deep cut, right where women usually tear when they give birth. It was every time I’d have sex and often it would be so painful that I’d have to stop.

"I was in a relationship at the time, but it obviously had an impact as, not only was I not able to be intimate as much as I’d like, but I also lost all my confidence."

In addition to the tearing, Jillian also experienced an extremely heavy discharge, forcing her to wear/change several maxi pads a day. She continued:

"I felt disgusting. I didn’t want anyone to touch me, so I basically stopped having sex. I know different bodies produce different amounts, but this wasn’t my normal.

"I know my own body and knew something had changed, but every time I went to the doctor, I was told it was probably simple like thrush or bacterial vaginosis – another common gynecological condition – and was given medication."

However, these prescribed tablets had very little effect, and Jillian started to fear she was suffering from life-threatening conditions like cervical cancer. At 24 years old, Jillian was able to convince doctors to perform a smear test - despite her being under the age limit in the UK. Thankfully, cancer was ruled out.

Although, the smear test did reveal that Jillian had ectropions - where cells from inside the cervical canal are present outside instead - which is known to cause bleeding, discharge, and pain during or after sex.

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In June of 2018, she had the ectropions removed, a procedure that finally gave Jillian hope. But sadly, just five months later, her symptoms returned even worse than before.

"This time, I at least knew what to look for, so I went straight back to the gynecologist, who found two more ectropions", she said, adding: "In November 2018 I had a LEEP procedure, where an electrical wire loop scrapes and burns off the cells, while I was sedated, and, thankfully, that side of things seems to have been under control since."

Per her doctor's advice, Jillian came off the contraceptive Pill, but doctors were still nonethewiser as to why her skin kept tearing. The intimate area has now become so sensitive that she battles pain most days, sometimes struggling to use tampons and being unable to wear certain styles of underwear for fear of irritation.

Jillian said: "It’s been six years of absolute hell. I must have seen around 20 different gynecologists, as well as lots of other doctors like dermatologists, sexual health and allergy specialists.

"At one point, I was even told it might be psychological – but, while I understand that there may be an element of anxiety, I don’t think it’s the whole story. It wouldn’t explain why my skin physically tears."

"I’ve had allergy tests in case it was a reaction to something like an ingredient in my sanitary products, countless scans, and even a vulval biopsy – but nothing provided any answers.

"It got to the point where all I wanted was a diagnosis. Even if it was something bad, at least then I would know what I was dealing with and what my treatment options were."

In early 2019, Jilliam was once again offered a glimmer of hope, all thanks to a steroid cream. "I’d found one steroid cream that sort of worked, if I used it days and days in advance of having sex", she said, adding: "But then I figured I couldn’t live that way. For one thing, it would take any spontaneity out of having sex, but I also didn’t want to be using steroid creams long term on such a sensitive area.

"Plus, although it improved things, I was still tearing so it hadn’t completely resolved it."

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Not willing to give up, Jillian went to see a sexual health expert who referred her to a specialist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. During her appointment in December 2019, Jillian was finally given a diagnosis of vulvodynia - a chronic pain condition that affects the vagina.

It was certainly a relief to finally be able to put a name to her troubles, but the reason why Jillian’s skin is so fragile and prone to tearing still remains a mystery.

One suggestion is vaginal atrophy - a condition in which the vaginal walls thin or inflame, sometimes as a result of a lack of estrogen. In an attempt to combat this, Jillian is now taking a course of hormonal treatment, but is still waiting to see results.

"The vulvodynia diagnosis is a definite, but the atrophy is still a maybe," she said, "I just have to keep going with the treatment and see what happens."

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Currently single, Jillian is fearful that she will never be able to have sex again if her condition does not improve.

"I have been in a couple of relationships while going through this, as well as periods of being single, but I would say my sex life for the past six years has been more or less non-existent.

"Knowing what I’m missing out on has had an impact on my confidence and mental health.

"Now, I almost panic if I’m talking to guy and it starts to get flirty, because I know at some point I will have to tell him that I cannot have sex as easily as other people can. Wondering when and how to bring it up is a challenge.

"Luckily, nobody has been nasty, and I suppose if they were, that’s not somebody I would want around."

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Despite her unrelenting health issues, Jillian is still trying to stay positive - throwing herself into Queens of Eve, where attempts to help the many women that message her every single day:

"Through Queens of Eve, I try my best to be there for other women. It can be so difficult to find an answer for some gynecological problems.

"I’m happy to share my story because I want to help other women – my Instagram page is like a help hub – where women who have gynecological issues can speak to fellow suffers and learned that whatever they’re going through isn’t a taboo.

"A lot of the help out there seems to be geared towards older women, focusing on things like menopause and childbirth, or we’re simply given some drugs, or a form of contraception that can cause all sorts of other issues and told to get on with it.

"The underlying issue is that women aren’t properly taught about their own bodies. I’ve been on a wild goose chase for a decade now, and had no idea half of these conditions existed."

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By being so open and honest about her own struggles, Jillian is hoping to reassure others that they should not be embarrassed about their bodies and seek medical help for conditions that were once considered "taboo":

"I understand that women can have insecurities, or feel a little uncomfortable going to the doctors about certain things, but there is no such thing as a normal body, and I really want to help break that taboo.

"Now, I want to put myself out there to show how many women are suffering like me.

"If I’d had read a story like mine a few years ago, I’d have felt far less alone."

An Australian escort has spoken candidly about a common, but often misunderstood issue she frequently encounters with clients, and has vehemently urged men to seek medical advice rather than attempt to ignore the issue.

The hot topic of conversation addressed by Lilith Lodge, a professional escort, delves into a flaccid issue that affects millions of men, often leaving them feeling emasculated and embarrassed, and their significant other feeling insulted.

Lodge, who is based in Brisbane, Australia, says erectile dysfunction is far more widespread than many realise, yet still carries a stigma that prevents men from getting help.

“I think this is a really important topic of conversation to have because I feel like there’s a lot of men struggling with this that don’t actually realize that is what is going on.

"It’s just not something that is commonly spoken about.”

Erectile Dysfunction, commonly referred to as ED, affects approximately 30-50 million men in the United States alone, according to a 2025 study.

What impacts a man's ability to attain an erection?

Whether it be a bout of nerves that inhibits a man’s ability to attain or maintain the erection, simply a case of overthinking, or complete inexperience in a sexual setting, Lodge clarified that occasional difficulties are normal, but persistent problems may signal something more serious.

“What is erectile dysfunction? It is not being able to get or maintain a hard on… It’s really not uncommon for this to happen here or there as an occasional thing,” she said.

“If it’s an occasional thing, it’s probably not erectile dysfunction… But if this is a repeat issue, that is when you need to go and seek help for it.”

She stressed that recurring symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, warning: “It can actually be a sign of a much more serious health condition.

"That’s why I really want to push that you need to go and see a medical professional.”

According to the sex worker, there is a widespread misconception about how arousal works, and she works to dispel those myths in her honest discussion.

“It is so much more than just seeing a hot chick… There is so much more to that,” she said.

“It is like a connection between multiple different parts of your body — your mind and emotions… your hormones… your nerves, your blood vessels, everything.”

She added that anxiety can make the issue worse: “You can start getting into your head… ‘Oh my god, it’s not working’… and it just makes it worse and worse.”

Lodge highlighted that erectile dysfunction can be linked to a variety of physical and psychological factors that require greater attention than just a little blue tablet.

“It could be a sign of heart disease, clogged vessels, high cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, obesity,” she explained, adding that lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol use, and certain medications may also contribute.

Mental health can also play a role. “Things like anxiety, depression, being incredibly nervous… or having incredibly low self-esteem… can often lead to this happening too.”

With all of the above cited as potential causes by Mayo Clinic, Lodge also noted that multiple systems in the body must work together, including the circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems, for normal function.

Lodge urges men to seek professional consultation and not to blame their partner

“Studies show that erectile dysfunction actually impacts 50 percent of men aged between 40 and 70,” she said. “So, this is way more common than we think it is.”

Through her work, she sees it regularly: “It is not uncommon at all. I probably encounter this at least once a fortnight, if not more frequently.”

Lodge also addressed how some clients react when experiencing difficulties, urging them not to blame others.

“It is not our fault,” she said plainly.

“If you’re not able to maintain that erection… there is nothing wrong with that, but it is not our fault.”

“See your GP firstly. Go and see your GP… you need to go and see a real GP to get an actual diagnosis,” she said.

She noted that treatment options can include medication, lifestyle changes such as exercise, and therapy.

“Even consider seeing a therapist… just having somebody to discuss these things with would be really beneficial.”

Ultimately, Lodge hopes speaking openly will encourage more men to take action: “It is really hard to see people struggling with this and not going and seeking help for it,” she said.

“This is something that I do encounter on a regular basis… and it’s not something that ever bothers me. My only issue is when clients are projecting their anger… onto myself.”

Featured Image: Credit: ericsphotography/Getty Images

A mysterious syndrome has been discovered, in which men suffer symptoms after orgasm. The illness, which is called post-orgasm illness syndrome (POIS) is extremely rare, and was first documented in 2002, when it was described as a kind of 'semen allergy'. An article in the journal Sex Medicine Reviews has reported that there have been only 50 cases of the condition, which are split up into two types: primary and secondary. Primary is when someone experiences it from their first orgasm, while those who have secondary POIS develop it later in life. There are some that believe this is a condition that affects women too, but there have only been verified cases with men. Some scientists believe there is some kind of link between those with POIS and these who have issues with premature ejaculation, but this is unconfirmed. Marcel Waldinger, a professor of sexual psychopharmacology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, published two studies in the Journal of Sexual Medicine about this topic. He suggests that those with POIS have an allergy to their own semen, and that a treatment known as hyposensitization therapy can help reduce the impact of the illness. Some of the symptoms, which are unrelated to the genitals and reproductive system, are similar to an allergic reaction. On top of this, there have been effects such as confusion, inability to speak, read or write, fatigue, itchy eyes, a fever, muscle pain, and influenza symptoms for up to a week. “These results are a very important breakthrough in the research of this syndrome,” Waldinger said to Reuters. He said the findings contradict the idea that these symptoms have a psychological basis and show that an auto-allergic reaction to semen is the most likely cause. For these studies, Waldinger and colleagues analyzed 45 Dutch men who were diagnosed with the illness. 33 of them underwent a skin-prick allergy test using a diluted form of their own semen. 88 per cent of this group had a positive skin reaction, that indicates an auto-immune response or allergic reaction. Waldinger continued: “They didn’t feel ill when they masturbated without ejaculating, but as soon as the semen came from the testes...after that they became ill, sometimes within just a few minutes” "It’s a very slow process. It is used for all sorts of allergies and can sometimes take up to 5 years" There is another theory that suggests that chemicals released during orgasm may be responsible, if they are being released in unusually high volumes. Endorphins, which are in the hormone group of opioids, inhibit pain and produce feelings of euphoria. When these are released during orgasm in POIS sufferers, it may be that they flood the system, leaving them with opioid withdrawal, like coming down from a drug high. While there aren't a huge amount of cases of POIS, let's hope they find the cause and treat it as soon as possible, as this would be hell to go through for any man.

A woman has opened up in a recent interview about her so-called "addiction to orgasms" and how it has affected her life.

Speaking to The Sun, 23-year-old Amy Matthews struggles in life to contain orgasms; having them in public, in front of her parents, and describes herself as "addicted" to the sensation, having several a day.

Amy, a dance teacher who hails from Oxford in England, regularly climaxes nine times during sex, but claims that her orgasm record is 18 in one sexual session.

Her first sexual encounter at the age of 15 was apparently nothing special, but when she started exploring her own sexuality more and with a partner at the age of 18, her sex drive escalated massively.

Amy says that, as she became more in touch with her body, she began orgasming more and more to curtail the chronic pain she experienced as a result of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, her polycystic ovary syndrome, and through the body-shaming, she received from a teacher.

Amy also used orgasming as a way to manage stress and anxiety in her life, to bring herself down from regular panic attacks.

But now Amy says that she finds it difficult to contain her libido - orgasming the instant she sees someone she's attracted to, or coming close to fainting during sex due to the intensity of her climaxes.

After being referred to a college counselor for sex addiction therapy to cope with her dependency on orgasms. Now she can control her sexual urges at work but claims that multiple orgasms are still the first thing she gets out of the way upon returning him.

Speaking to The Sun, Amy stated: "There was a lot of drama going on in my life and I started to suffer anxiety.

"Each time I had a panic attack, I found having an orgasm could help calm me down. The feeling of release was addictive and that’s when I started orgasming more regularly.

"One time, I had stormed out of a classroom, I sat down in the corridor and had one. While I don’t think I made any noise or blushed, God knows what other students must have thought seeing me sitting there. But it definitely made me less stressed."

Credit: Pexels

She continued: "If I had a panic attack, the orgasm relief was better if I’d had physical sex — but I could feel emotionally worse afterward. At one stage I was having lots of sexual partners.

"I wouldn’t say the number of guys I have slept with was into three figures but it isn’t far off.

"With my third boyfriend, when I was 21, I had the best sex. The most memorable time was when I had a full-body climax. I couldn’t breathe. It lasted for ages. It was like being on a rollercoaster when the ride keeps going up. You want it to be over because you can’t take it anymore."

Amy added: "I’ve got a high sex drive and I prefer to see guys casually. I only sleep with them on two or three occasions."

She admits that she doesn't want a long-term relationship, and that she just "needs" to orgasm regularly. In fact, she says that some men are scared off by how regularly she can climax.

Pondering why she is so susceptible to orgasms, Amy believes it is from the "extra testosterone" in her body from her polycystic ovary syndrome.