Student, 21, reveals burden of living with condition that leaves her constantly aroused: 'It has ruined my life'
A young woman with a condition that leaves her genitals 'aroused' 24/7 has detailed her daily struggle with it.
Scarlet Kaitlin Wallen, a 21-year-old Rhode Island native, has persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), which causes a non-stop painful burning feeling in her private area. Unlike most sufferers who typically feel a sense of sexual arousal, Ms. Wallen's condition is more pain than pleasure.
She has experienced a 'pins and needles' feeling in her vulva since childhood, describing it as constantly burning, leading to a sensation of being naturally aroused when she didn’t want to be.
Ms. Wallen has dealt with this since she was about six years old, which affected her ability to socialize and engage in outdoor activities due to the discomfort. She has had only a few pain-free days in 15 years and is unable to work or study full-time.
Despite the challenges, Scarlet remains hopeful as treatments and surgeries are continuously developed to manage PGAD. The disorder affects around 1 percent of the population, mainly women, and can be triggered by certain medications or nerve signals to the brain.
Ms. Wallen, a part-time courier and art student, likened the pain to 'burning bugs under my skin' and feeling like her genitals were on fire. She underwent surgeries to address her condition, including the removal of painful tissue and a vestibulectomy to improve her quality of life.
While she faces challenges regarding her sexual health, Scarlet is optimistic about the future and hopes to lead a normal life one day.
