Thane woman suffering from hirsutism dies, kin blames society

THANE: A 30-year-old woman, who was suffering from acute depression died on Saturday after she was admitted to Kalwa hospital on Friday.

The woman had a condition called hirsutism, which creates a male pattern of hair growth in women.

The police said the family has alleged that she was depressed as she was teased all the time by her colleagues and neighbours.

Prerna Thakur (name changed), a resident of Wagle Estate in Thane, had done her Msc and was working in laboratory department in a pharma firm at Ghansoli.

Her family said that her health deteriorated in the past couple of years because of her depression. She had run away from home but she was reunited with her family.

In five years, she changed six jobs because of her condition and the harassment from colleagues.

“My daughter was termed as a eunuch. She was a brilliant student and was earning well. People made fun of her, and she retreated into a shell. We couldn’t get a groom for her as men rejected her because of her condition,” said the mother, adding that Saturday was her birthday.

“She was admitted to Kalwa hospital on Friday for acute stomach pain and vomiting. Doctors said she died of the infection in the intestine which had spread. They said her depression killed her. People’s jibes added to her pain,” she said.

A police officer from Thane commissionerate said, “We are investigating all angles. We will take the statements of the parents again.”

Shailesh Umate, a psychiatrist from Thane, said, “The hormonal imbalance leads to hirsutism. In such cases depression is common and at the same time family plays a vital role in supporting patients emotionally. The society should understand the medical condition and deal with such people sympathetically.”

The hormonal imbalance leads to hirsutism. In such cases depression is common and at the same time family plays a vital role in supporting patients emotionally.

SHAILESH UMATE, psychiatrist