Dhat Syndrome and its Social Impact

Abstract

Cultural beliefs prevalent in the society have a very severe impact on the mind and behavior of the person. Sexuality is a very important but under discussed domain in public as well as in our education system.1,2 So there are many misbeliefs and misconceptions about sexuality prevalent in our society. Many cultures believe semen to be a very precious body fluid and its unnecessary loss to cause severe harm on the health of the person. Cultural myths in relation to semen loss can induce physical and psychological symptoms in a man which together as a syndrome termed as Dhat syndrome.3 “Dhat” is derived from the word “dhatu”. The word “Dhatu” is a Sanskrit word which means “Metal” or “Elixir”.3-5 There is description of seven “Dhatus” [Chyle (Rasa), Blood (Rakta), Flesh (Maans), Fat (Meda), Bone (Asthi), Marrow (Majja), Semen (Shukra)], out of which most important considered is “Shukra Dhatu (semen)”.