Treatment in persistent genital arousal disorder: a scoping review

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a rare condition characterized by unwanted and distressing symptoms of arousal and dysesthesia. The aim of this scoping review was to map the current state of PGAD management, identify gaps in the literature, and understand patient perspectives.

We completed a scoping review following guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses Scoping Reviews extension. A systematic literature search for articles pertaining to PGAD/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (GPD) was conducted in August 2023 via Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search returns were deduplicated and the remaining titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion. General publication characteristics and treatment data were extracted from the included publications via a pilot-tested Google form. All screening and extraction were completed in a masked, duplicate fashion.

Findings from our scoping review revealed a scarcity of systematic research, limited evidence-based data, and the importance of addressing both physical and psychiatric concerns. Our sample included 46 publications from an initial pool of 636 returns. Case studies were the most common study design. Thirty-three studies examined medication, either alone or as part of a treatment regimen. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most used medication, followed by pramipexole and carbamazepine. Seven studies used a surgical or procedural intervention. Treatment with pelvic floor Botox was the most common procedure. Patient perspectives in the included case studies highlighted themes of shame, suicidal ideation, social isolation, decreased sleep, and overall decline in quality of life.

The findings from our study emphasize patients' distressing and psychiatric symptoms, indicating a need to improve treatment regimens, using both evidence-based research outcomes and patient-reported outcomes. Management for PGAD/GPD lacks a standardized framework, indicating a need for further research and the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve patient care.