Dhat Syndrome

What Is Dhat Syndrome And Its Treatment?

Dhat syndrome is a situation found in the cultures of the Indian subcontinent in which male patients report vague psychosomatic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, guilt, and sexual dysfunction, attributed by the patient to loss of semen in nocturnal emission, through urine or masturbation. Male patients think that they experience from premature ejaculation or impotence, and believe that they are passing semen in their urine. Involuntary loss of semen for the duration of or after urination is called as Dhat syndrome. It is highly debilitating situation which if ignored for even a shorter period of time can cast severe impact over health and potency of a male. Person affected with this problem sees presence of thick white fluid after urination. The volume of the discharge varies depending upon intensity of the problem.

Sperm production goes on in male body after age of puberty on normal basis. These are stored in testicles and are discharged on climax. Problem of semen with urine arises when these sperms are passed out without climax during or after urination. Dhat is a sign of sexual exhaustion as it signifies severe debilities in reproductive system. If problem is allowed to persist severe signs of weaknesses arise like erectile dysfunction, low libido and watery semen.

Patients having Dhat syndrome can be further divided into three categories.

Dhat alone – Patients attributed their symptoms to semen loss; presenting symptoms – hypochondriacally, depressive or anxiety symptoms

Dhat with comorbid depression and anxiety – Dhat was seen as an accompanying symptom

Dhat with sexual dysfunction– Erectile dysfunction (22-62%) and premature ejaculation (22-44%) were the most commonly associated psychosexual dysfunctions; while depressive neurosis (40-42%), anxiety neurosis (21-38%), somatoform/hypochondrias is (32-40%) were the most reported psychiatric disorders in the patients having diagnosis of Dhat syndrome.

Symptoms

• Lack of physical strength
• Poor Concentration
• Forgetfulness
• Guilt
• Fatigue
• Listlessness
• Appetite Loss