Sexologists caution against bogus pills, powders as National Conference of Sexology in city ends

As Mumbai brought the curtains down on the silver jubilee of the National Conference of Sexology on Sunday, sexologists rued that quacks continued to outdo genuine doctors in this field, thanks to their silver tongues.

The experts agreed that quacks were a common problem for all doctors, but it was especially acute in sexology, as, "People have many inhibitions and do not know whom to turn to," said Dr Neelam Rane, who conducted a workshop on adolescents and sexuality at the conference.

She added, "Quacks market themselves aggressively.

Don't Pop That Pill? The 75,000 quacks (approx) in Maharashtra equal the number of medical practitioners in the state.

Qualified medical practitioners cannot advertise that way, as we are regulated by the medical council guidelines."
u00a0
Sexologist Dr Mahinder Watsa said, "Even urbane, educated people visit quacks. I have heard some horrendous accounts.

While giving spurious pills are common, I have heard of a quack who uses an electric bulb to treat erectile dysfunction."

Beyond Mumbai

The problem is not confined to Mumbai. It exists in Chennai too, "Where television channels beam a slew of ads by quacks after 10 pm," revealed Dr D Narayana Reddy, a consultant in sexual medicine.

"In fact, one of these quacks became my patient once and told me I was a very poor businessman. The quacks are smooth talkers.

They have the money to advertise because they charge thousands for powders and tell the petrified person it is gold dust or some such nonsense."

Dr Mukesh Patel, who was part of the organising committee, said, "People are so gullible that they pay quacks in thousands, when all they require is counselling.

What we, genuine doctors, can do is put a poster in our clinics, stating the problems we address."

Don't be Fooled

Check the degrees of the doctor

Ask if other people have heard of him. Don't be scared or humiliated to ask