LEUCORRHOEA (White Discharge)

Leucorrhoea

Leucorrhoea, a vaginal discharge is a universal problem of all women. Leucorrhoea is a medical term for white discharge which is an excessive secretion from the female reproductive tract especially from the vagina or cervix or both.

Leucorrhoea is mainly classified into two types:

Physiological leucorrhoea:
It is an excessive discharge or secretions of a normal vagina. They are slimy in nature and generally occur among teenage girls due to hormonal imbalance during puberty, at the time of ovulation period of the menstrual cycle, before periods, etc. Pathological leucorrhoea: It is a discharge occurring due to disease or malfunction of the female reproductive tract. It needs immediate attention, cleanliness and treatment. The nature of discharge varies from slimy to thick bloody discharge with foul smell. This condition is commonly present both in case of vaginitis or cervicitis.

Causes of Leucorrhoea :

1) Infections:

From Fungus: Candida albicans can easily flourish in moist circumstances and is commonly promoted by synthetic undergarments and poor hygienic condition.

From Parasites: protozoa - Trichomonas vaginalis causes the Trichomoniasis which spreads usually through sexual intercourse and moist clothes.

From Bacteria: Gardnerella vaginalis and chlamydia are the prime causes in bacterial infections. Also, it is frequently seen in venereal diseases like gonorrhoea, syphilis, and AIDS.

2) Injury: Injury to the vagina or cervix or womb during childbirth, abortion, or excessive sexual indulgence can cause erosions and infections with discharges.

3) Poor hygienic conditions: Non hygienic measures, especially during periods, can create infection and cause leucorrhoea.

4) Diabetes and anaemia: May provoke infections due to weakened immunity among many females.

5) Local infection: Spread of infection from adjacent urinary tract (UTI) or alimentary tract (worms)

6) Irritation of IUCD: If irritation persists at IUCD, (Intra uterine contraceptive device) it can cause pain and discharges.

7) Sprays and jellies: which are used by males for provoking sexual act and jellies and drugs taken by females to kill sperms to avoid conception can also irritate and initiate the infective process.

Symptoms of leucorrhoea:

Lower abdominal pain

Painful sexual act

Backache and pain in the leg, especially thigh and calf muscles

Intense itching with oedema of vagina

Soreness and burning in the genital tract

Burning urination and frequent urge to pass very little urine

Irritability and lack of concentration in work due to consciousness of discharges

Digestive disturbances like constipation or diarrhoea or vomiting

General tiredness due to loss of vital fluids as discharges

Soreness and dryness

Strong smelling or frothy discharge

Dark colored discharge

Rashes or sore spots on the genitals.

Why we should be alert with leucorrhoea:

In case of chronic infection, and if left untreated, the infection spreads inward into the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, etc. It acts as a precursor of pelvic inflammatory diseases, salphingo-oophoritis (infection of fallopian tube and ovaries) which mostly result in pelvic adhesions like peritoneal adhesions and fallopian tube adhesions which obstruct tubes and may cause infertility. White discharges in late fertile period or after menopause should always be analyzed completely to rule out cervix cancer which is the second commonest site of cancer in females after breast cancer. Urinary tract, reproductive tract and the adjacent organs are often caught in the spread of infection simultaneously since the urethra; vagina and anus lie very close.

Strictly avoid:

1. Sprays, deodorants, and strong perfumed soap and bath products.

2. Stress and strain since it may affect the hormonal level and may increase secretions.

3. Sharing towels and underwear

4. Synthetic or nylon underwear which cause dampness of genital organs.

Always wear cotton underwear to avoid moisture.

5. Sexual intercourse during heavy discharges

6. Sexual intercourse without condoms while under treatment.

Homeopathic Treatment of leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge)

Let’s see some of the important
homeopathic remedies
having marked leucorrhea symptoms-

Alumina

-
Leucorrhoea in chlorotic girls which is transparent or of yellow mucus, which is very profuse and ropy, and greatly exhausting, as it is very rich in albumen. It occurs chiefly in the daytime; the great profuseness is its characteristic.

Acrid leucorrhea that scalds the inner aspects of thighs

Profuse discharge that is transparent and ropy

Burning pains in vagina and cervix

Associated with constipation and pressing pains in both groins towards private parts

Leucorrhea that runs to feet

Chronicity of discharge

Worse during day time

Better by washing with cold water

Leucorrhea like white of an egg (albuminous)

Females with primary infertility

Itching vulva and vagina, may be associated with eczematous lesions around vagina

With leucorrhea, sensation as if warm water was flowing

Clear, hot, pasty leucorrhea

May be associated with trembling of limbs especially in the morning

Weak calves

Biting acrid discharge

Dry cracked tongue

Borax - S
uits a clear, copious and albuminous leucorrhoea having an unnatural heat to it. Leucorrhoea midway between menses with great nervousness, white as starch, perfectly bland without pain.

3.
Kreosotum -
It cures a profuse watery, sometimes a yellowish leucorrhoea. The acridity is marked; it causes excoriating of the parts which come in contact with it, causes soreness and smarting and red spots and itching on the vulva, always with great debility; leucorrhoea receding menses. It is so acrid that it causes the pudenda and thighs to swell and itch.

Yellow acrid leucorrhea

Discharge smelling of green corn

Gushing leucorrhea like bloody water

Offensive discharges with too early and prolonged menses

Corrosive itching of vulva, burning and swelling of labia

Violent itching between labia and thighs

Leucorrhea between periods every time

Associated with dragging pains in back, extending to genitals down the thighs

Excessive weariness and debility

Worse after menses, lying down better by movement

Acrid leucorrhea

Burning in vulva and vagina

Engorged private parts

Scanty menstrual flow in anemic women that suffer from milky leucorrhea

Worse in warm room

Better by cold application and cold drinks

Soreness of parts

Brown, flesh colored leucorrhea that is extremely offensive

At times stringy or watery discharge

Stitching pains through vagina

Small eruptions of ulcers surrounding the vaginal walls

Menses like muddy water

The woman complains that the hair on genitals are falling out

Worse in night, extremes of temperatures

Thick white offensive leucorrhea

Leucorrhea discharge while urinating

Excoriating greenish and bloody leucorrhea with abdominal pain

Sensation of rawness in parts

Stinging pains in ovarian region

Itching and burning of parts

Worse after urination

Better by washing with cold water

Dryness of vagina alternating with leucorrhea discharge

Acrid watery leucorrhea

Associated with bearing down pains that make low back ache

Leucorrhea in place of menses

Absolutely debilitating vaginal discharges

Many times associated with weak legs and depression

Worse during puberty, mornings, mental tensions, emotional setbacks, etc

Better by cold bathing, open air

Pale thin leucorrhea

Profuse vaginal discharge that corrodes the vaginal walls and inner aspects of thighs

Excessive weakness in back

Decided aversion to coitus

Associated with constipated bowels

Indurate feeling of private parts

Itching inner aspects of thighs leading to darkening of skin in the region

Rawness in folds

Gushing leucorrhea instead of menses

Small itchy eruptions around private parts

Worse morning, scratching, suppression of eruptions

Pulsatilla -
Produces a cures a milky leucorrhoea which becomes watery, acrid and burning from being retained in the vagina. It is a
mucous, thick, creamy
, white leucorrhoea sometimes replacing menses, with chilliness, disposition to lie down and lowness of spirits.

Nitric acid -

Mercurius sol -
Acrid excoriating leucorrhoea smarting and burning, swelling of external genital organs. Purulent greenish yellow leucorrhoea worse at night.

Natrum mur -

Graphites -

9.
Sepia -
Cures a leucorrhoea which is
yellowish green
color, somewhat offensive and often excoriating, due to pelvic congestion of a passive type. It is milky, worse before menses with bearing down; there are pains in the abdomen and pruritus. It leads all other remedies in leucorrhoea of little girls, though Lilium tigrinum has an excoriating, watery, yellowish or yellowish brown leucorrhoea, which is profuse and is accompanied by a depression of spirits and bearing down in pelvic region. Hydrastis suits a tenacious,thick, ropy leucorrhoea with erosion of the cervix; a mucous leucorrhoea which is profuse and debilitating corresponds to Hydrastis.

Excessive bearing down pains with leucorrhea violent itches upward in the vagina from uterus to umbilicus, painful vagina especially on coitus Low back aches all the while must press the back against a firm surface. Must sit crossed legged to prevent protrusion of private parts or thus she feels relaxed pelvic organs swollen labial folds Leucorrhea may be present in lumps at times worse in forenoons and evenings better by firm pressure, warmth of bed, limbs drawn up.

Iodum -

Excessively acrid leucorrhea that corrodes the linen and thighs

Thick, slimy discharges

Wedge-like pains across the ovaries (more on right-side)

Cross and restless patient, always excited

Always hungry yet with emaciation

Easy sweating

Worse exertion, night, heat in any form

Better by bathing, movement