S.H.Y

21/03/2020

Social Distancing (self exile), Quarantine & You..

The world has witnessed many epidemics and pandemics.
Although such unfortunate events leave a ghastly trail of sorrow, death and despair, we would like to focus on the learnings and inspirations from such great times.

It gives us time to reflect and ponder.

Many great personalities have made their greatest contribution while in quarantine (Shakespeare, Newton, Leonardo da Vinci), self exile (Budha) and imprisonment (Mandela, Nehru).

So, let's keep our hopes alive and our attitude positive.

Even the darkest clouds have a silver lining.

Some may call it wishful thinking, others may call it outright stupidity, but there will be some who call it optimism.

The choice, as always, rests with you.

24/12/2019

Why I believe in Santa Claus..
Dr Sakthivel

Just imagine🙂 this,

You are in cold and crippling winter ⛄💨 of your life with snow❄ fall around..

Its bleak and would be depressing😔 to know that this winter ⛄❄might prolong for a few months more..

You are in hibernation😴 mode, just trying to wade through it.

Suddenly comes this exciting buzz that Santa Claus🎅🏻😃 is coming to town..!🥳

He is warm and bubbly 🤩and bringing with him good tidings🤞🏻 of great joy..

Gifting🎁 the kids🤶🏼 with goodies and going to lift the spirits with songs and jingles..🎼

"Dashing through the clouds ☁⛅ on a one horse 🦄open sleigh.." he is going to "jingle🎅🏻 all the way.."

So, there you are..
excited, happy, awaiting a miracle✨..
cajoled and pepped up with friendly banter👥 and gifts🎁..

And before you know it, winter is gone☃ with spring blooming🌱🌷 in..

Isn't that a wonderful 😀😇 concept to keep the spirits up and going?

Don't we need🤔 such Santas in our lives, now and then..?

And can we be the Santas 🤶🏼🎅🏻in other's lives, too?!

Go ahead..
wear your Santa Cap,
ride the reindeer and
spread smiles😃 everywhere..

Merry Christmas. 😊

15/12/2019

My write-up after a while..

This time on mid-life love crisis and how to find it again, in the same person!

a male perspective..

08/12/2019

09/10/2019

Many a times, we sulk and sigh about getting another year older.

Not taking into account all that we have been blessed with and have experienced, but rather fill our thoughts with regrets.

If only we realize that innumerable people are unable to celebrate another birthday, our perspectives and perhaps our mindsets would change too.

16/08/2019

The Sheepish Groom

They are usually the last person to consult on the day.

They come alone or with a friend, never the spouse.

With infertility being rampant and male factor contributing to one-third of the causes, no wonder the chivalrous male is trembling on his first night!

Since males do not pass through the scrutiny of a social recognition of puberty, marriage seems to be the ultimate litmus test about their fertility.

We come across men from various backgrounds with numerous concerns.

From lack of s*xual knowledge, rigid views about s*xuality to those with a genuine problem to the other extreme of hyperactive promiscuous multiple partner stags.

A detailed history followed by a thorough examination, and a word of reassurance would get most of these young men to get over their mind blocks.

The really deserving ones, however, would need multiple sessions of counselling, therapy and hand-holding towards becoming normal or apparent normalcy.

But it's the overzealous ones, who usually test the patience of the healthcare provider with their tales of bravado and antics.

Having said that, it takes a Doctor with an ear to listen and a holistic approach, to sort the issues and address the real concerns.

The macho stag does have his moment of sheepish grin, too.

Afterall, boys will be boys!

16/08/2019

The Gateway of Uncertainity

Marriage.. seems to be the litmus test to assess a woman's health.

Everyday we come across atleast one woman who expresses this concern she has about marriage and whether her hormonal condition could affect her marital dreams.

Endocrinology as a Hormone Speaciality deals with various aspects of a Woman's health.

It could be from weight issues, either obesity or being underweight, a thyroid derangement, the myriad of PCOS to some more challenging issues related to adrenal, pituitary or the ovaries and uterus.

For most, we reassure but there are a few conditions where our concern is equally anxious as the person involved herself.

Conge***al abnormalities of the uterus and/or ge***al tract are still an area of concern.

Despite the advent of a sub speciality of Uro-gynecology and Uterine transplantation, girls with such abnormalities continue to have an uncertain success outcome.

Proper counselling of the person involved and her family about the advancements and challenges in such conditions might smoothen the process.

Better Uterine Transplantation facilities with Data bank and perhaps regenerative Therapy could provide some positive answers soon.

Until then, such girls continue to have one foot at the door of marital bliss and wait with a heart full of hope.

05/08/2019

The Other Half..

Recently I happened to come across an interesting case.

The subject was a 14 year girl brought because she hadn't obtained puberty.

She hails from a village nearby and was as tall as her dad.

After detailed history, examination, blood tests and imaging we arrived on Diagnosis of a rare Hormonal Disorder called 5-alpha reductase Deficiency (5ARD).

This is a terrible Diagnosis to reveal to the child and the parents because it can create a social havoc and mental turmoil.

Although a rare phenomenon, the diagnosis is vital for upbringing of the child.

Normally in a Male human, the go**ds and adrenal produce testosterone which is then converted to DihydroTestosterone (DHT) in the presence of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase.

DHT is the active male hormone necessary for all functional physical Male attribute changes to occur.

If due to some reason, DHT isnt formed, then despite being a male chromosomally, the child might have less male characteristics.

In 5ARD, especially, the child can be reared as a female due to less masculanization of ge***alia (which may appear feminine).
It is only during puberty, when the male hormone levels surge, that the child may manifest physical and biochemical features of a male. Grows tall, has masculine voice, elongation of male organ, body hair and receding forehead scalp hair.

Such individuals are counselled regarding gender change to their natural male gender.

It would be devastating to the child to accept such a decision in her teenage.

In milder forms, they can get away with being reared as a female, with routine removal of body hair.

But in not-so-mild varieties, the masculine voice and male contour makes it difficult to continue donning the feminine role, any longer.

This transition requires a longterm gentle hand holding from the Doctor, Social Worker and Psychologist, both for the child and parents.

This is not Transgender but a genuine Hormone Disorder.

(Transgender is normal genetically and physically with Sexual orientation being of the opposite s*x.)

The reason to highlight this Disorder is to throw light on the issue, that a proper Diagnosis and professional guidance can help an unfortunate child and family from social embarrassment and lifelong suffering.

It is always better to consult an expert for advice rather than family and friends.

*xchange ***alia

10/07/2019

As a Consultant for Hormone Disorders, we come across this hesitant person who prefers to come alone, seated anxiously, with a face ridden with questions..

Sexual Orientation and Sexual Preference are two distinct entities.

The former refers to the self and the latter to the preference in partner.

Hypogonadism is normal s*xual orientation and preference but an apparatus Dysfunction due to various reasons.

Androgen excess state in a female, similarly, is normal orientation and preference but an hormonal imbalance which tips the balance more towards androgens.

Lack of awareness and the taboo surrounding these topics, creates false assumptions and wrong categorization of individuals.

Understanding the problem clearly, seeking professional help from an expert, showing empathy, social and moral support will help thousands of such individuals to restore their lost confidence and social status.

Sexuality is a prism where we have individuals with different shades. There is no right and wrong shade.

Be aware and be considerate.

*xuality

09/07/2019

In The Invitation, Oriah expands on the poem that started it all, she motivates us to fully examine our lives, learn to live with intimacy and joy, and, above all, be true to ourselves.

At S.H.Y we hope this poem answers many critical questions that we ask ourselves everyday.

We hope you enjoy the thought process and imbibe some positives out of it.

08/07/2019

As they say,

"whenever a flower blooms, it blooms without any expectation of approval or opinion. It just blooms, because it has to..."

Relationship strain seems to be a common issue that we come across.

A plain conversation explaining our expectations and setting the limits, works wonders in many cases.

Lack of communication, ego and assumptions seem to prolong for long issues which could be resolved comprehensively with a chat and some understanding of the other person's situation and needs.

Stress, Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, Anxiety and lack of self-esteem seem to be some common off-shoots of a seemingly innocuous problem.

Sometimes, changing our perception, learning to respond rather then react and professional help, may pave the way forward.

30/06/2019

This week I happened to give a talk, at our State Endocrine Conference, on quite an offbeat Topic- Loss of Libido (s*xual desire) in a 40 year Female.

Apart from an Endocrine Degree, having Completed a Fellowship in Sexual Medicine from European Committe, I took it upon myself to wade further into the Topic.

Surprisingly, as per recent stats from a South Indian study, one in seven s*xually active women have a Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD).

Approaching such patients with an open mind,
using a validated questionnaire to arrive at a Diagnosis,
using the extended PLISSIT model of interaction,
knowing when to involve a multi modality Team,
addressing the couple as one unit,
being aware about Psychological Therapy, Sensate Focus,
Mindfulness as well as
the recent advances in Pharmaco Therapy, would go a long way in betterment of those who seek help.

Female Sexual Dysfunction is a reality, and it's time that Doctors arm themselves with adequate knowledge on this issue.