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Leucorrhoea or whites is a condition in which there is a whitish discharge from the vagina. It may be thick and viscid, and foul smelling if it is caused by some infection.Leucorrhoea is common among the women of almost all ages the world over.It could be embossing, painful and may cause lot of discomfort, stress and even affect the sexual preferences and libido. It may be mild to severe, and varies from person to person.

There are two types of Leucorrhoea, physiological and pathological. 

Physiological leucorrhoea : It is an excessive discharge or secretions of a normal vagina. They are slimy in nature and generally  occur among teenaged girls due to hormonal imbalance during puberty, at the time of ovulation period of the menstrual cycle, before periods, etc. In case of adults, in addition to the ovulation time and before periods, it occurs also during early days of pregnancy and during sexual excitement.  Generally, no medication is required in this kind of discharge.

Pathological leucorrhoea : It is  a discharge occurring due to disease or malfunction of the female reproductive tract. It needs immediate attention,  cleanliness and treatment. Ignoring pathological leucorrhoea may lead to serious problems like loss of fertility or even removal of uterus. 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

In addition to infection, some hormonal and metabolical disorders are also responsible for the condition.Ayurveda considers that leucorrhoea is caused by the vitiation of kapha; it occurs commonly among weak and anaemic women. It can also be due to the inflammation of the womb following childbirth, displacement of the uterus, or gonorrhoea. Among young females, it may be due to threadworms, as the result of general debility combined with lack of cleanliness or infections. Leucorrhoea may also occur during the menstrual periods in young women, due to the thickening of the mucus membrane in the reproductive organs. During the child bearing years from adolescence to the mid-forties, infection may sometimes follow birth of a child due to damage of the cervix during the delivery of the baby.

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

The discharge is often white. Flow may stiffen the linen or simply leave back a trace of white powder or scales.
In most cases discharge emanates from the uterine cavity or vagina. In catarrhal or idiopathic variety of leucorrhoea the discharge is in mild and liquid form. The discharge from the uterus is often from uterine cavity. In certain ladies leucorrhoea discharge sets in even 8-10 days before anticipated period of menses and stops as soon as menses appear but in others, it may start when menses are over.
In addition to the whitish discharge from the vaginal tract, there is weakness as well as pain in the lumbar region and the calves. A burning sensation may be present along with constipation. There appears to be a direct relationship of this disease with a nervous temperament. The patient develops black patches under the eyes. Late nights precipitate the attack.

PREVENTION is always better than cure.

Wash genitals everyday  
Wear clean underwear every day  
Always wash genitals from front to back.
Proper care of hygiene should be taken care of.  
Undergarments should be washed carefully to avoid any infections  
Diet should be taken in limited amount with light and easily digestible foodstuff.  
Exercises should be included in daily life style  
Proper rest and sleep are a must  
Avoid spicy food like pickles. 

Always Take

1.  Nutritious diet, especially food rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, magnesium and zinc, to improve general health
2.  Plenty of water and juices to avoid urinary tract infection and its spread to the vagina or cervix.

Home remedies

A proper diagnosis of the disease must be made and the cause removed. In addition to the medicine prescribed below, a regular douching of the genital tract with the decoction of the bark of the banyan tree or the fig tree is very helpful. A tablespoon of each of the powders of the barks of the two trees should be boiled in a litre of water till it is reduced to about half. Douching with the lukewarm decoction keeps the vaginal tract healthy and clean.

Coriander(dhania) seeds: A home remedy used in this condition is to soak about ten Gms of dry Coriander(dhania) in 100 ml of water overnight, and to drink the water in the early morning. It gives relief in seven to eight days in most cases.

Fenugreek seeds: Fenugreek seeds are valuable in leucorrhoea. They should be taken internally in the form of tea and also used as a douche. As a douche, the solution should be much stronger than tea. Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and allowed to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. The decoction should then be strained and use as a douche.

Amalaki seeds powder : The powder of this is very beneficial for the treatment of leucorrhoea. A 2-3 grams / day with Honey / Sugar will relieves the White Discharge.
Chandana athar: Five drops of Chandana Athar (Sandalwood oil) to be taken with
Peyan vazhaippazham (Plantain) twice daily.
Mango seed powder: Mango seed powder in the dose of 1-2 gm's twice daily cure leucorrhoea.
Guava:Tender leaves of guava are useful in the treatment of leucorrhoea.
Walnut leaves:A decoction of fresh walnut leaves for douching will reduce leucorrhoea.
One banana twice a day with ghee proves beneficial.
Turmeric mixed with garlic (if discharge is less dense) or guggulu (if discharge is thick) gives very good results.
Chopchini (Smilax china) powder mixed with milk helps.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) mixed with ashwagandha (withania somnifera) has great potency in treating leucorrhoea
Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), giloye (Tinospora cordifolia) and shilajit mixture is also beneficial.
Supari (Areca catechu) with gulukand (rose petals in sugar) is very beneficial.
Pushyanug Churna  : 5-10 gm twice daily.
Patrangasaya : 15-30 ml twice daily after meals with Dry Amla and Julethi in equal quantities, powdered and mixed with thrice the quantity of honey is an effective drug for this disease.
Pradrantak Lauh: 1 gm thrice daily. To be taken with honey.

Diet

Fried and spicy foods are to be avoided. The patient should be encouraged to chew Betel nut (supari) after meals: it has a curative effect and also prevents the development of the disease.
Yoga also has some good Asnas like Sarvang and Vajra besides Pranayam.

Other measures

A cold hip bath taken twice a day for ten minutes at a time, will help relieve congestion in the pelvic region and facilitate quick elimination of morbid matter.