LEUCORRHOEA or WHITE DISCHARGE & ITS AYURVEDIC CURE
LEUCORRHOEA or WHITE DISCHARGE & ITS AYURVEDIC CURE
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Normal vaginal discharge is transparent white in colour, odourless with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. It contains squamous epithelial cells and few bacteria. Vaginal discharge helps to eliminate toxins from the body to maintain a healthy vagina. But if there is an infection, characteristic features of normal vaginal discharge change and it is abnormal vaginal discharge.
Abnormal vaginal discharge is a frequent complaint of women seen in the gynecologic clinic. The discharge may be thick whitish like curdy nature, yellowish or green, sticky and foul smell. It may be associated with other symptoms.
FAQ/ARTICLES INCLUDED/POINTS COVERED
- What is leucorrhoea?
- Concept of Ayurveda.
- Pathophysiology of vaginal discharge
- Causes of leucorrhoea
- Symptoms and signs of leucorrhoea.
- How to diagnose leucorrhoea?
- Treatment of leucorrhoea
- Diet for leucorrhoea
- Home remedies for leucorrhoea
- Ayurvedic line of treatment
- Yogasana and pranayama
- How to prevent leucorrhoea?
WHAT IS LEUCORRHOEA ?
Leucorrhea is strictly defined as an excessive normal vaginal discharge. The symptoms of excessive discharge vary from person to person, while to declare it to be normal and not infectious one, requires clinical and laboratory investigations.
The term leucorrhea should fulfil the following criteria:
- The excess secretion is evident from persistent vulval moistness or staining of the undergarments (brownish yellow on drying) or needs to wear a vulval pad.
- It is non-purulent and non-offensive.
- It is nonirritant and never causes pruritus.
Leucorrhoea is a medical condition where women experience thick whitish or yellowish colour discharge from the vagina.
The physiological vaginal discharge increases at birth, puberty, and time of ovulation, in some women’s premenstrual phase of the cycle, pregnancy, during sexual excitement.
CONCEPT OF AYURVEDA
In Ayurveda leucorrhea is considered “Shweta Pradara”. ‘Shweta means white and ‘Pradara’ means discharge from the vagina.
It is due to aggravation of Kapha dosha and vitiation of Rasadhatu and Agnimandhya occurs.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE
The vaginal secretion is very small in an amount sufficient to make the surface moist. Normally, it may be little excess in mid-menstrual or just prior to menstruation, during pregnancy and during sexual excitement. The secretion is mainly derived from the glands of the cervix, uterus, transudation of the vaginal epithelium, and Bartholin’s glands (during sexual excitement)
The physiologic basis involved in normal vaginal secretion is dependent on the endogenous estrogen level. With the rising estrogen level, there is an abundant secretory activity of the Endo-cervical glands and the superficial vaginal epithelium becomes rich in glycogen.
The mucoid secretion from the cervical glands is normally small in amount. The carbohydrate radicle of the glycoprotein mucin is split off and fermented into lactic acid. If however, the mucus is secreted in excess, it pours out at the vulva.
CAUSES OF LEUCORRHOEA
The excessive secretion is due to:
- Physiologic excess
- Cervical cause (cervical leucorrhea)
- Vaginal cause (vaginal leucorrhea)
Physiologic excess: The normal secretion is expected to increase in conditions when the estrogen levels become high. Such conditions are:
- During puberty—Increase levels of endogenous estrogen lead to marked overgrowth of the Endo-cervical epithelium which may encroach onto the ectocervix producing congenital ectopy (erosion) causing increased secretion.
- During menstrual cycle
- Around ovulation—Peak rise of estrogen →increase in secretory activity of the cervical glands.
- Premenstrual pelvic congestion and increased mucus secretion from the hypertrophied endometrial glands.
- Pregnancy—There is hyperestrogenism with increased vascularity. This leads to increased vaginal transudate and cervical gland secretion.
- During sexual excitement, when there is an abundant secretion from the Bartholin’s glands.
Cervical cause: Non-infective cervical lesion may produce excessive secretion, which pours out at the vulva. Such lesions are—cervical ectopy, chronic cervicitis, mucous polyp and ectropion (cervical glands are exposed to the vagina).
Vaginal cause: Increased vaginal transudation occurs in conditions associated with increased pelvic congestion. The conditions are uterine prolapse, acquired retroverted uterus, chronic pelvic inflammation, ‘pill’ use and vaginal adenosis.
Ill health is one of the important causes of excessive discharge. It produces excess exfoliation of the superficial cells.
OTHER COURSES OF LEUCORRHOEA
- Spread of infection from urinary tract
- Allergy or contact dermatitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Contraceptives used by women
- Lack of cleanliness of pure hygienic measures especially during menses
- Diabetes and anaemia can provoke infections due to weakened immunity
- Mental anxiety and sexual frustration.
- Leucorrhea is caused by infection with bacteria, yeast or
- another microorganism
- Fungus-like (candida Albicans) yeast infections reproductive organs and cause leucorrhoea.
- If it is because of a fungal infection the discharge will be thick white with itching in the vagina. This kind of discharge is called vaginal mildew.
- Some sexually transmittable disease causes leucorrhoea. Such gonorrhoea and chlamydia are bacterial infections and Trichomonas Vaginalis is a parasite infection and also the most common sexually transmitted disease which makes discharge greenish or yellow.
- Inflammation of uterus
- Injuries to the vagina, the womb or cervix.
- Nutritional deficiency
- Stress or depression
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF LEUCORRHOEA
- Excessive vaginal discharge
- Pain in the thighs and calf muscle
- Burning micturition
- The vaginal discharge colour may be whitish, yellowish or greenish and it is accompanied by a foul smell, itching and pain if infected.
- Other symptoms are:
- Pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen
- Constipation
- Anaemia
- Headaches
- Pain in the lumbar region
- Pain in the stomach or cramps
HOW TO DIAGNOSE LEUCORRHEA
The Patient’s complaints of excess vaginal discharge associated with some symptoms of leucorrhea are presented. Leucorrhea is finally diagnosed by characteristic features of discharge, physical examination like abdominal examination and per vaginal examination and lab investigations.
WHAT ARE THE INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE
- Blood examination
- Urine examination
- Pap smear test
- Clue cell
- KOH test
- HVS
- NAAT test etc.
TREATMENT OF LEUCORRHOEA
- Improvement of general health.
- Cervical factors require surgical treatment like electrocautery, cryosurgery or trachelorrhaphy.
- Pelvic lesions producing vaginal leukorrhea require appropriate therapy for the pathology.
- Stop using contraceptive pills temporary if it causes issues
- local hygiene has to be maintained.
- Treatment for a specific infection. Antibacterial and antimicrobial medicines are given according to the underlying cause.
DIET FOR LEUCORRHEA
DIETS TO BE FOLLOWED
- A balanced diet includes high fibre, protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
- Increase intake of fruits, vegetables and salads.
- Eat whole grains such as brown rice, pulses etc.
- Drink enough water
AVOID
- Avoid heavy, oily, fried, spicy and sour foods.
- Tea, coffee, alcohol and aerated drinks should be avoided.
- Avoid Non-vegetarian food.
- Refined sugar foods to be avoided.
HOME REMEDIES FOR LEUCORRHEA
- Tandulodaka (rice water) boils 2 tablespoons of rice and removes rice and water is taken internally.
- Douche (vaginal wash) for that Neem leaves taken and boiled after cooling down used for vaginal wash.
- Aloe vera pulp is used for applying external genital area.
- Decoction of cassia is also used for vaginal wash.
AYURVEDIC LINE OF TREATMENT
- Nidanaparivarjana(avoid improper diet and regimen etc.) is done.
- Kaphashamana treatment (use of Katu, Kashaya Dravyas)
- Symptomatic management is done
External management
- Yoni prakshalana(vaginal wash)
- Yoni Purana
- Yoni Varti
- Yoni Dhupana
Internal medicines
Pushyanuga Churna, Ashoka Ghruta, Lakshmanarishta, Ashokarishta, Lodhrasava, Amalaki Churna, Kadali Madhusnuhi Rasayanam etc… are given.
These treatments are to be done under doctor advice.
YOGASANA AND PRANAYAMA
Yogasana
- Suryanamaskara
- Sarvangasana
- Suptavajrasan
- Pawanmuktasana
- Shalabasana
- Padahastasana
Pranayama
Anulom vilom and Bhastrika
HOW TO PREVENT LEUCORRHOEA ?
- Clean the innerwear with a good quality detergent which has bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
- Immediately change the clothes including undergarments, if clothes get wet in the rain or due to any other reason.
- Underwear made of nylon material should be avoided in summer because it may remain sweaty in the genital area. Cotton is the best choice for undergarments.
- Do not unnecessarily use any cosmetics in the genital area. They should be strictly avoided.
- Exercise, yoga and meditations to be followed in daily routine.
- Good hygienic health is to be maintained. Cleanliness of the genital area is very important.
- Drink enough water
- Healthy nutritious food habits to be followed.