Sexology was not a subject shrouded in taboo in ancient India. Discussions in Vedic times (several thousand years ago) are testimonies to the fact. This enabled the unfolding of legendary treatises like "Kamasutra" and "Anangaranga" which opened new avenues of Sexual Health. The British occupation of India saw sex becoming a proscribed subject. This paved way for an unhealthy attitude and adversely affected. Thanks to pioneers like Dr. A.P. Pillay and Dr.Prakash Kothari, Clinical Sexology is regaining its social status. The speaker established his Sexology practice in the year 1982, at a time when many doubts, assumptions and expectations were still rampant with regard to clinical practice in this field. The course of the next 25 years saw the speaker changing many of his suppositions. The changing trends in the sexual behavior of Indian Population, the challenges faced in the clinical practice have been documented. The sources of referrals, the client\'s profiles and the problem outlines observed during the speakers specialty practice have revealed interesting insights and have enhanced his understanding of the subject. In the speaker’s perspective, the practice of modern sexology is analogous with the principles laid down in ancient Ayurvedic texts. The texts have many topics like interpersonal relationships, communication, woman\'s satisfaction, artificial sexual aids etc. Issues that presently plague our times like gender equality, alternative sexual orientation and female sexual dysfunctions have been viewed in accommodating ways and appropriate management strategies were found in them. The objective of this talk is to highlight these in the backdrop of current sexology practice so that the perspectives of aspiring sexologists can be widened. The insights into the changing Indian scenario will foster newer concepts, which will ultimately help in achieving adequate Sexual health.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Sydney, Australia, April 2007
