Emily says something simple like public transport can trigger a painful and embarrassing incident
A woman who has a rare condition, which means her body is constantly sexually aroused, says she feels pain rather than pleasure every day. Emily McMahon has Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD), a condition that makes her feel as if she is always on the brink of having an intense orgasm.
The debilitating condition struck the 36-year-old “out of nowhere”, nine years ago. While many people assume Emily enjoys the effects, she explains that it is actually a “sharp, throbbing sensation” that is so severe she can barely cope. “I get a sharp pain in my groin and it’s constantly burning,” said Emily.
“It’s 24/7 arousal – but it’s uncomfortable. People think that I’m just constantly turned on, but that’s not the case. My body is generating this sensation. My vagina gets very wet and people wrongly assume I’m having an orgasm, but I’m not.
“If the arousal is really strong, I look like I’ve wet myself. It’s an intense pain that makes me want to grab my groin and rip it off. Imagine the throbbing sensation of climax, times 20. People think I want more, but having no control over my own body completely sucks. It’s so frustrating and makes me so anxious.
“The condition came on out of nowhere. It started off with a constant uncomfortable sensation when I was doing everyday stuff.”
Emily can have uncontrollable, painful orgasms five times a day. She claims doctors first assumed she had a cyst on the side of her clitoris but, eventually, discovered that she had a damaged nerve, which was causing the pain. There’s no cure for the condition, but Emily takes medication to dull down the sensation.
But the disorder still has serious repercussions on her life. Emily is currently in a two-year long-distance relationship with Andrew, 38, but the pair have never met in person. She can have sex, but the sensation is painful. She said: “Just being on public transport can bring on an attack because of the vibrating.
“It happened in a shopping centre once, too. People were looking and judging as I tried to deal with the physical effects. They thought I was out of my mind – a lot of people don’t understand. When I don’t take my medication, I have to rock back and forth, and clench my jaw, because I constantly feel a vibration
“I become shaky and kick my legs out. Grabbing my crotch doesn’t help but it’s a reflex thing. I want to pull away the painful area. It was awkward to explaining it to my family as well. They told me to masturbate and that I should be happy to feel like this 24/7 and there’s nothing wrong with me, because they didn’t understand.
“As for sex, I’ve only ever slept with people who I knew and trusted. I can have sex, but it’s really physically painful. My current partner is very understanding. I would love to be able to meet him in person. He is absolutely amazing and understands me without judgement.
“I’m nervous about having sex with him, but he’s very supportive about it all. I’ve also chosen not to have kids in case it’s hereditary. It’s upsetting, this condition affects my life in every way.”
Emily is sharing her story to help raise awareness of the disorder as she says most people make jokes about it. While there is a surgical option, it is currently only available in the US. She said: “When people laugh or say that it’s not real, they have no idea how it affects me. I’m not trying to get myself off – this is a medical condition. I want nothing more than a cure and for the bullying and judgement to stop.
“There’s surgery where they can kill the damaged nerve but it’s only available in America and I’ll never be able to afford to go. I’ll be on the medication for the rest of my life unless it suddenly cures itself. Doctors need to do more research to understand the condition and help people. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this. No one deserves to suffer like this.”
