Female Dhat Syndrome : A Condition Beyond Just Vaginal Discharge

Abstract

‘Dhat Syndrome’ is one of the most important and well known culture bound syndromes among men,
but the same semen loss anxiety can be attributed to vaginal discharge among women. This problem
mainly presents with the symptoms of excessive vaginal discharge (often colourless and mucoid) with
the complaints of chronic fatigue and loss of will to do work affecting the person psychologicaly,
economically , physically leading to increased unnecessary burden on the health related expenses.
These symptoms often are misdiagnosed as Sexually Transmitted Disease or Reproductive Tract
Infection and lead to inappropriate treatment by the provider. Thus the symptoms of vaginal
discharge, chronic fatigue, loss of will to work and vague pain symptoms should be carefully evaluated
clinically and psychologically for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.