Somatization misattributed to non-pathological vaginal discharge

Abstract

Lay explanations and attributional patterns about somatization related to vaginal discharge, a folk illness characterized by undue concern about passing (normal) vaginal discharge and believing that their symptoms are caused by this, were surveyed systematically in 200 consecutive women patients with predominant somatic complaints and 138 normal healthy women. Misattribution was reported 3.5 times more often by women with somatic complaints as compared to the normal women. Sixteen women were absolutely certain that their discharge was totally responsible for their symptoms and illness. Thus, somatization related to vaginal discharge seems to be a frequent undetected problem in women with somatic symptoms.