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Shen-k'uei (Taiwan); Shenkui (China) A Chinese folk label describing marked anxiety or panic symptoms with accompanying somatic complaints for which no physical cause can be demonstrated. Symptoms include dizziness, backache, fatigability, general weakness, insomnia, frequent dreams, and complaints of sexual dysfunction (such as premature ejaculation and impotence). Symptoms are attributed to excessive semen loss from frequent intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal emission, or passing of "white turbid urine" believed to contain semen. Excessive semen loss is feared because of the belief that it represents the loss of one's vital essence and can thereby be life threatening.

Paraphrased version:

Shenkui is considered a culture-bound syndrome. GENERALLY IT IS REPORTED IN CHINA, but it is known in other cultures and countries by various names. IN Taiwan IT IS KNOWN as Shen-k'uei. WHY IS IT KNOWN FOR SHEN-K'UEI IN TAIWAN? The disorder itself seems to result from the excessive loss of semen. In many Asian cultures excessive semen loss can be linked to frequent masturbation or intercourse, nocturnal emissions or passing urine with semen in it. There appears to be no physical cause for this disorder, but it is known to cause anxiety or panic symptoms. Other symptoms of Shenkui is insomnia, backaches, dizziness, frequently reoccuring dreams, anf fatigability. Patients with Shenkui also expressed complaints of premature ejaculation, impotence, and other sexual dysfunctions. THIS ARTICLE LOOKS VERY INTERESTING!

From an ethnopsychiatric perspective, additional symptoms are preoccupation with sexual performance, potential semen loss, and bodily complaints which may be taken as symptoms of lost yang. Shenkui is sometimes translated as "kidney weakness". According to traditional Chinese medical theory, one of the functions of the kidneys is to transform blood into semen.

The idea of semen loss being detrimental and semen conservation being beneficial to mental and physical well being is common in the history of both oriental and occidental thinking.

Final Version:

Shenkui is considered a Chinese culture-bound describing marked anxiety or panic symptoms with accompanying somatic complaints for which no physical cause can be demonstrated. It is locally described as a loss or fear of loss of yang. In traditional Chinese culture, yang is considered positive male energy. The condition is common in Asian cultures, and fits into a category of “semen-loss” syndromes. In Chinese medical history, one of the function of the kidneys was to turn blood into semen, that is why it is sometimes referred to as kidney weakness.

The symptoms of Shenkui include insomnia, backaches, dizziness, frequently reoccurring dreams, and fatigability. Patients suffering from Shenkui also expressed complaints of premature ejaculation, impotence, and other sexual dysfunctions.

Pa-leng (or frigophobia) and pa-feng, which are fear of cold and fear of wind, respectively can affect the treatment of shenkui. Both wind and cold are yin phenomena, and therefore present a threat to a man's yang. Men might bundle themselves in warm clothing, avoid going outside into the wind, and avoid food that is seen as “cold.”

Although Shenkui is considered a Chinese culture-bound syndrome, a form of semen-loss anxiety was seen in the west. The Victorians were known for being obsessed with sexual activity or lack there of. They believed masturbation and nocturnal emissions were causing them to waste away, have tremors, cause exhaustion and muscle weakness, and various other symptoms. Circumcision became popular during that time, because it was preached that it would reduce a man’s urge to masturbate.