| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 30
| Issue : 2 | Page : 278-284 |
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Female Dhat syndrome in primary care setting
Aseem Mehra1, Soundappan Kathirvel2, Shalini Gainder3, Ajit Avasthi1, Sandeep Grover1
1 Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sandeep Grover
Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_76_20
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Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the females presenting with the complaint of nonpathological vaginal discharge to a general gynecology outpatient service in a rural community clinic from the perspective of female Dhat syndrome. Methodology: Sixty-nine females considered to have nonpathological vaginal discharge after detailed gynecological evaluation, including required investigations, attending a rural community clinic were assessed for their belief about the vaginal discharge. The study subjects were also evaluated on the proposed criteria of female Dhat syndrome by using a semi-structured interview. Results: The mean age of onset of vaginal discharge was 36.1 (standard deviation - 8.5) years. Most of the females considered the loss of vaginal fluid as loss of a vital fluid from the body. Consumption of warm foods and drinks (75.8%) was the most common reason reported for vaginal discharge followed by eating unbalanced food/inappropriate food (73.5%). A majorty of the subjects considered vaginal discharge responsible for bodily weakness (87.0%), backache (71.0%) and stomache (66.7%). About two-third of the participants considered the taking energizing medications like vitamins/tonics/tablets and treatment from a gynecologist the treatment for vaginal discharge. Conclusions: Significant proportion of females with non-pathological vaginal discharge have a belief that they are losing a vital fluid of the body. The subject attributes their symptoms to factors such as consumption of warm foods and drinks, and eating unbalanced food/inappropriate food. Accordingly, assessment and management of women with Dhat syndrome require addressing these important issues.
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