Men with infected scrotums less desirable to women!
Stating the obvious, but still nice to have the data. Ours being a shallow society, the 'marriageability' of somebody with a filarial hydrocele (only click if you're not eating your breakfast and you have a strong stomach) is probably not that high. The severe impact on sexual function, as well as the obvious cosmetic challenges, make them low on the list of potential suitors for young ladies. Full Story »
Posted by Alison Deknis
Murthy brings into light a debilitating mosquito-borne parasitic disease, called filarial hydrocele, that is prevalent in tropical regions, especially in India. This disease causes elephantiasis and swelling of the scrotum, affecting both sufferers and their partners' sex lives. A research study asked an Indian community about their feelings towards those with this disease. While the results were not surprising, they are bringing more awareness to the morbidity of the disease and the lack of appropriate psycho-social support groups for sufferers. The author does a good job at covering this research, as well as discussing a recent movement towards eradication of the disease through mass drug administration. She also states that this movement will only cover eradication of one of the parasites that causes 90% of filariasis, but not the parasite that causes the other 10%.