Dhat syndrome: a useful diagnostic entity in Indian culture

Article Abstract:

Dhat syndrome is a condition seen in Indian cultures in which the patient believes he is physically ill as a result of the loss of semen. It is characterized by several vague symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, guilt, and sometimes impotence or premature ejaculation. The patient often attributes his symptoms to masturbation or overindulgence in sexual intercourse, acts which society sees as wasteful and taxing on the body. Patients often think they are losing semen through the urine and complain of a whitish discharge, although there is often no clinical evidence upon examination. The typical sufferer of Dhat syndrome is a married or recently married male of average to low socioeconomic class. He comes from a rural area and the family is usually sexually conservative. The present study identified 144 cases of Dhat syndrome in India. All patients were between the ages of 20 and 38 years; 66 were married, nine were illiterate, and 93 complained of Dhat as their major symptom. Of formal psychiatric diagnoses assigned to 99 of the 144 patients, depression was the most common (39.5 percent). Anxiety was detected in 20.8 percent, 6.3 percent had depression with psychotic features, and 2.1 percent had phobias. Masturbation was reported to be the cause of the Dhat syndrome according to 45.1 percent of the patients. The patients were divided into four treatment groups receiving: an antianxiety drug; an antidepressant drug; a placebo; or counselling. Patients were followed for four weeks, after which improvement in symptoms was assessed. Patients receiving antianxiety or antidepressant drugs reported the most improvement and those in the counselling group reported the least improvement. In the counselling group, 40.6 percent of the patients dropped out before the end of the four weeks. Dhat syndrome is prevalent in Indian culture and should be explored among Indian emigrants as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual disorders, Demographic aspects, India, Psychosexual disorders

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Breast health and associated premenstrual symptoms in women with severe cyclic mastopathy

Article Abstract:

Women who experience breast abnormalities at certain times of their menstrual cycle may also experience more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Researchers compared 34 women with severe abnormal breast symptoms to 29 women with normal breast symptoms during one menstrual cycle. Women with abnormal breast symptoms were more likely to seek medical attention for breast lumpiness and breast problems. They received mammograms, breast biopsies, and breast needle aspirations more often than did women with normal breast symptoms. Women with breast abnormalities had more severe PMS including water retention, emotional and behavior changes, and lack of concentration.

Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Menstrual cycle, Premenstrual syndrome, Breast

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