US: How A Rare Medical Condition Left This Woman Permanently Aroused

Scarlet Kaitlin Wallen, a 21-year-old woman residing in the United States, has courageously shared her harrowing journey of living with a rare medical condition known as Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD). At just six years old, Wallen began experiencing relentless sensations in her genitals, akin to "pins-and-needles," which would soon evolve into a constant state of excruciating arousal.

Silent Suffering

Scarlet's struggle with PGAD was worsened by her reluctance to confide in her parents about her ordeal. Fearing their reaction, she resorted to conveying her anguish through a poignant letter, baring her soul and articulating the indescribable torment she endured. "I didn't want to tell them face-to-face, but it was getting so bad I couldn't hide it from them anymore," Scarlet confessed. In her heartfelt letter, she eloquently articulated the persistent nature of her nerve pain, emphasizing its debilitating intensity and the lack of control she felt over her own body.

The Reality of PGAD

PGAD is a rare condition that affects approximately one percent of the population, although the severity of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. For  Wallen, the past fifteen years have been fraught with excruciating pain and continuous discomfort. Since the onset of her symptoms, she has endured persistent "pins-and-needles" sensations in her genitals, likening the experience to being constantly on edge without respite.

Wallen's journey with PGAD has been marked by continuous pain, rendering her unable to engage in typical activities  such as work or full-time study. Describing her condition as akin to having "burning bugs under my skin," Scarlet recalls the torment she faces daily.

"I'd been experiencing pain for as long as I remember. My vulva was constantly burning - it was like I was naturally aroused, but I didn't want it. There's nerve pain, it's not wanted - and there's no pleasure. I'm hopeful I'll be able to have a painless sexual relationship in my lifetime," she said in an interview with the New York Post.

Despite her young age, she has undergone significant medical interventions, including the removal of genital nerves, in an attempt to alleviate her suffering.

Regardless of her occasional respite during her teenage years, the agonizing symptoms of PGAD would inevitably resurface, leaving Scarlet feeling as though her genitals were engulfed in flames. To alleviate her pain, she resorted to unconventional measures like using a vapor rub, which caused severe thrush.

As Wallen's anguish persisted, she sought solace in the expertise of medical professionals. Through a referral to the San Diego Sexual Medicine Clinic in California, Wallen found herself under the care of clinicians dedicated to finding the complexities of her condition. It was here that Wallen received a definitive diagnosis of PGAD, alongside other sexual dysfunctions, including post-SSRI sexual dysfunction—a cruel side effect of antidepressant medication.

A crucial moment came when she consulted a clinician, who diagnosed her with congenital neuroproliferative vestibulodynia, a condition characterized by hypersensitive pelvic nerves, proving to be a trigger of PGAD. Despite the challenges posed by her complex medical profile, Wallen remained firm in her quest for relief.

Seeking Solace and Solutions

As Wallen's medical journey progressed, her clinicians encountered unexpected hurdles that added layers of complexity to her road to recovery. During a thorough examination, a startling discovery came to light—an additional vaginal structure, unrelated to her PGAD. Dr. Irwin, her attending clinician, devised a detailed treatment strategy, that involved a vestibulectomy—a surgical intervention intended to ease her symptoms by excising painful tissue from the vaginal area.

However, the presence of the duplicate vagina necessitated a preliminary surgical procedure to address this anatomical anomaly before proceeding with the planned treatment.

In February 2023, Wallen underwent a significant surgical procedure aimed at removing the septate vaginal wall. Despite the complex nature of her condition, Wallen remained firm in her determination to reclaim control over her life, undeterred by the challenges she faced. On September 8, 2023, she underwent a vestibulectomy, offering a ray of hope in her journey towards relief, though tempered by the acknowledgment that complete respite might still be a distant goal.

In Scarlet's own words, "I'm just hopeful that one day I'll be able to live a normal life."