Koro is the fear of the genitals shrinking and retracting into the body. Koro is sometimes referred to as genital retraction syndrome. Cases of this fear have been reported around the world in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the U.S. Females occasionally suffer from a variation of koro in which they believe that their nipples are retracting. Interestingly, koro often appears as anepidemicin which multiple cases are reported simultaneously within a specific geographic area.
Symptoms
Causes
Personal and cultural morals, religious doctrine and current mental health status often play a role in individual cases. A 2008 study in the Journal of German Psychology found that many sufferers reported a recent sexual encounter that made them uncomfortable, such as an extramarital affair. Some had a history of preoccupation with their genitals. Some reported high levels of fear, guilt or shame. Others were immature and lacked sexual confidence. Still, others had an existing mental health disorder or a history of substance abuse. Although the specifics vary for each case, it appears that the highest risk for koro exists in people who are already experiencing fear, anxiety, or guilt.
Treatments
In the Western world, Koro is often treated as a specific phobia.Antidepressant medicationsare often prescribed. Some research shows that antipsychotics are sometimes helpful in reducing symptoms. If you’re suffering from koro, talk therapy may help you learn new and healthier ways of relating to your body.
Because it’s common for people with this fear to have other conditions, Western mental health professionals often perform a full workup to determine exactly which factors are in play. In many cases, treating the underlying condition also causes the koro symptoms to subside.
It’s also important to rule out physical causes for the koro symptoms. Pain, tingling and other physical symptoms are common in koro but could also indicate an underlying physiological condition. It’s a good idea to visit the urologist if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garlipp, P. “Koro - a Culture-Bound Phenomenon: Intercultural Psychiatric Implications.” German Journal of Psychiatry.
Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garlipp, P. “Koro - a Culture-Bound Phenomenon: Intercultural Psychiatric Implications.” German Journal of Psychiatry.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Garlipp, P. “Koro - a Culture-Bound Phenomenon: Intercultural Psychiatric Implications.” German Journal of Psychiatry.
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