Women's illnesses - the Indian male perspective a search for linkage with Vedic concept of health & Hindu mythology.

A multicentric ICMR study was done in rural north India during 1996- 1999. Qualitative data was gathered from adult males of the study area regarding their views on women's illnesses. "Heat" emerged as the chief etiological factor for most of the reproductive health problems of women. Diet was told as the major source of this heat. A linkage between Vedic/Ayurvedic concepts of diet/heat and our respondents' view on women's illnesses has been described in the article. Similar references in western literature have also been quoted. As per Vedic concepts blood and bones are intermediary products of food assimilation between chyle and semen. Respondents view that, melting of bones leads to vaginal discharge (equated to semen) has been traced to this concept. Leucorrhea emerged as a significant morbidity of women. These views of the respondents reflect their culture. Any attempt to change these should take into account the overall cultural aspects of the concerned population.