If you're a woman who suffers from persistent genital arousal disorder or PGAD, you struggle with the feeling of arousal in your genital region that can occur for extended periods of time and without you necessarily "feeling" in the mood for sex. This can lead to a lot of frustration, and you may even stay away from relationships because you're nervous that your condition could complicate them. If you've recently gotten into a sexual relationship and you want to discuss your PGAD with your partner, here are some tips for doing so.

Your Plans May Have To Change

Women who suffer from persistent genital arousal disorder can notice an increase in their symptoms with little or no warning, and this can impact their daily schedule. For example, if you and your partner are getting ready to visit friends or family when your symptoms hit, you'll probably want to cancel the plans. This may seem frustrating to your partner, so you need to make him or her aware that the powerful nature of your symptoms can impede your ability to have a normal life when they're present. In other words, you're not going to want to sit at dinner when you feel highly aroused.

It's Not Necessary An Invitation For Frequent Sex

Some people may initially like the idea of their partner having PGAD, as they may mistakenly assume that it means they'll be having sexual intercourse a lot. While it's true that intercourse may help your symptoms, this isn't always the case. Additionally, your genital region can feel so highly aroused that it's actually painful — and this can put you in the difficult position of perhaps wanting to achieve an orgasm, but not wanting to have sex. Your partner needs to respect your boundaries and know that an increase in your symptoms isn't an invitation into the bedroom.

Explain That This Doesn't Mean You'll Cheat

Your partner may not have a solid understanding of persistent genital arousal disorder and may think that if you're in the mood for sex day and night, you might cheat. It's worthwhile to explain that you're not necessarily mentally in the mood for sex — rather, your genitals feel stimulated, and you often don't want to experience such feelings. Try to calm your partner's concerns by stressing that when your conditions get strong, it doesn't mean that you're going to be unfaithful because you're simply so aroused that you need sexual contact with someone, even if your partner isn't around.