Is semen loss syndrome a psychological or physical illness? A case for conflict of interest

Abstract

Young men presenting with sexual problems arising out of non-contact like semen loss syndrome are common in the Indian subcontinent. They usually present with depressive, anxiety symptoms, and non-specific somatic complaints. This has no medical explanation and is currently conceptualized as a culture bound neurotic disorder in the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10), clinical descriptions, and diagnostic guidelines. In this report, we present the case of a young male who developed delusions following concerns about semen loss. Conflicting explanations about his illness between traditional and allopathic practitioners led to problems in management. The importance of creating awareness among traditional practitioners regarding contemporary allopathic models of illness is stressed. Management strategies employed should reflect this shared understanding.

Keywords

• Dhat syndrome
• explanatory models
• semen loss