Koro in female: A case report and a mini review

Chowdhury, Arabinda N.; Chawla, Monica K.

doi:10.1016/j.ejpsy.2019.06.004

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Risk factors for Koro syndrome where there are cultural myths about Koro include anxiety, cultural attitudes and beliefs, feelings of inadequate masculinity, and rumors about Koro in the environment. 4,7 In southern China where Koro is prevalent as a cultural myth, there is an overrepresentation of Koro syndrome reported in men under 24 years old. 4 Western case studies report patients with Koro-like symptoms secondary to neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression.…”

Section: Psychiatric Risk Factors and Comorbiditiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Females are also at risk for Koro syndrome although it is much less prevalent than in males and may be accompanied by psychosexual guilt. 7 PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS AND COMORBIDITIES Physical risk factors and comorbidities for Koro syndrome usually involve dysfunction of the genitals or the urogenital system. Infertility, a tumor of the corpus callosum, and urethrocutaneous fistula all lead to secondary Koro syndrome in males.…”

Section: Psychiatric Risk Factors and Comorbiditiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 There have been no fewer than 12 epidemics of Koro reported in English literature between 1969 and 2017, totaling 1885 cases. 7,8 Interestingly, men are disproportionately affected by Koro syndrome, with on average only 9.2% of epidemic cases affecting females. 8 Epidemic, culture-related Koro is reported to be common in parts of East and Southeast Asia, specifically in India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, 9 as well as in West Africa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Now, Koro has been most common in India, with the past four epidemics occurring since 2010 affecting about 250 people. 7,10 However, the apparent prevalence of Koro epidemics in India within the past decade could be due to better clinical classification of the syndrome and reporting in literature within the country.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sporadic, non-cultural Koro is seen to be rarer than epidemic Koro, with only about 116 case reports published between 1967 and 2021. 2,7 The number of sporadic Koro cases may be underreported due to their association with primary psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety), drug use, or other medical conditions-as well as difficulty with precisely characterizing symptoms for a diagnosis. 3…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Strong

Cao

Zhou

et al. 2023

Health Psychology Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Koro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one’s sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death. Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an epidemic form in East and Southeast Asia, although it can present anywhere worldwide in its sporadic form. The condition typically affects young males who believe in sex-related myths, and many individuals can co-present with anxiety, depression, or even psychosis. Although most presentations of Koro are self-limiting, the condition is harmful for one’s self-esteem and quality of life, and some individuals may go through extreme, physically injurious measures to prevent genital retraction. Treatments include the use of psychotherapy that has a sex education component, especially if the patient believes in culturally rooted myths. In sporadic Koro, it is believed that if the primary psychiatric disorder is treated with anxiolytics, antidepressants, sedatives, or psychotics, the secondary Koro-like symptoms will also fade. Additional investigation on the prevalence, pathogenesis, factors that correlate with treatment efficacy are needed to fully understand Koro syndrome.

show abstract

Section: Psychiatric Risk Factors and Comorbiditiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Psychiatric Risk Factors and Comorbiditiesmentioning

confidence: 99%