So sorry, Victoria, I didn't get notified about your comment. What else can I tell you? I'm afraid that I can't recommend doctors. You have to keep trying until you find someone who will work with you.

Thanks for responding to the blog post, Kim. And I appreciate the info about Sue Carter. I met with her when I was writing The Chemistry of Connection. I didn't know she had moved to the Kinsey Institute or that she was looking at PGAD. I will get in touch with her.

You need to get oxytocin up onto the mucous membranes. I think most pheromone sprays tell you to spray on skin or clothing so someone else will inhale it, right? That won't work, unfortunately.

I can totally believe that your gynecologist doesn't know anything about it. This is a pretty rare syndrome and its causes are still not understood. I just published a new post updating information and research about persistent genital arousal disorder. You could try contacting one of the researchers I've mentioned and see if they can give guidance or referrals. So sorry I can't be more helpful. The post is here: http://www.hugthemonkey.com/2016/03/pgad-update-on-treatment.html

Interesting comment! Covertly dosing us with oxytocin might make us more compliant .. or it might make us more cooperative, collaborative and just nicer. I think global civilization is suffering from a withered oxytocin response and an overactive fight-or-flight response.

Hi, Laurie. It's interesting you commented today, because I'm just writing another post about PGAD. Still no definitive cause or treatment, but a couple more things to try.

Interesting idea. Does the suggestion include any theories about what's happening in the brain?

There is room for this input, Mike. http://www.hugthemonkey.com/2015/06/how-birth-trauma-affects-mother-and-baby-throughout-life.html

We should not discount your story, Mike. It's very clear to me that the physical trauma to you and your mother during her C-section started a chain of further traumas and disruptions that you're still feeling. You're right to feel angry and betrayed; no one should have to go through that. I am going to respond in more detail in a new blog post.

I think there's a lot of merit in what you say, Hafizah. Re a wife's letting her husband suckle her breasts, there is much comfort in that for both of them. Sometimes it can be difficult for a man to allow himself to be nurtured this way, but sucking the nipples releases oxytocin in a woman and probably does in a man, as well. So it can calm him down and increase their bond. I didn't know that Muhammad said that, I think that's very cool. I also find that many religious or ancient practices turn out to have a lot of validity when considered in the light of science and/or neuroscience. thanks for the comment!

Hello, Jane, sorry my blog has been pretty dark. I had some email conversations with the acupuncturist who treated a patient for persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD). She was unwilling to go on the record because of her concerns for her client's privacy. She did tell me that the treatment was at least partially successful and that her client was able to resume relations with her husband. One critical point, she told me, is on the perineum, definitely a tricky point for both acupuncturist and client. But if you and your therapist are willing to go there, it's definitely worth a try. Please do let me know if you try this and it works. best, Susan

Thanks for sharing your experience, Pancakes. As I said before, the practice in theory made sense to me when I wrote the original post. And clearly, it's been traumatic for lots of people. So, what is a possible way to bridge that attachment gap? If you have a child who, due to trauma, doesn't want to bond or be close in any way, how can you more gently encourage her to come gradually closer?