Leucorrhoea commonly known as whites refers to a whitish discharge from the female genitals. The vaginal discharge plays an important role in maintaining a healthy vagina. The secretions are designed to flush out bacteria and other tiny organisms to prevent infection. Normal vaginal discharge is odourless and a clear or pale milky colour.\
Recent investigations have shown that secretions from the uterus and upper part of the vagina flow down and are reabsorbed in the lower parts of the vagina. This is the normal constant flow within the female organs. The whitish discharge is, however, caused by the presence of infection in any of these tissues and a variety of other factors. The condition may continue for weeks or months at a time.
Leucorrhoea, vaginal discharge is a universal problem of all women. No body escapes from this illness. Female genitals are very much prone to infections since they are moist, more sweaty and covered. The white vaginal discharge with foul smell makes it embarrassing to get into social gatherings and even engage in personal affairs. The affected women need reassurance, prevention of infection and some counseling as they usually have abnormal psychosomatic scores. Most secretions are regarding life style physiological and warrant no medical interventions. But it is significant if it is blood stained, profuse, foul smelling or with changes in its colour. Usually the normal secretions are slimy and slightly sticky. It is something like nasal secretion. Normally the quantity of vaginal secretions varies throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation and also increasing when under emotional stress.
Two types of Leucorrhoea
There are two types of Leucorrhoea, physiological and pathological. In physiological Leucorrhoea, the discharge is normal due to excitement or other factors like nervousness. Such a discharge need not be worried about. It is found under following conditions:
In pathological Leucorrhoea the causes are:-
Symptoms
The patient feels weak and tired. She also suffers from pain in the lumbar region and the calves and a dragging sensation in the abdomen. Other symptoms are constipation, frequent headaches and intense itching. In the chronic form, the patient feels irritable and develops black patches under the eyes
Causes
Leucorrhoea does not develop suddenly in an acute form. It denotes a devitalized and toxic condition of the system generally. The condition also involves one or many parts of the reproductive organs. Whenever the body is loaded with toxins due to wrong dietary habits and the eliminative organs such as skin, bowels, lungs, and kidneys are unable to eliminate the toxins, the body produces a profuse discharge or elimination through the mucous membrane of the uterus and vagina in the form of leucorrhoea. In the case of advanced, chronic inflammatory conditions of these organs, it leads to discharge with pus, offensive in odour and colour varying from cream to yellow or light green.
In young girls, leucorrhoea may occur during the few years before and after the start of the menstrual flow. It may be due to an irritation of the genital organs caused by various factors such as dirt, soiled undergarments, intestinal worms and excessive mental stimulation of sex or masturbation.
Some excess secretion is normal when the girl reaches puberty, due to over activity in her sex glands and organs. This usually disappears within a short time. ?
In young women, leucorrhoea may occur during intermenstrual periods, due to thickening of the mucous membrane in the reproductive organs. Such a discharge is associated with painful menstruation and other menstrual disorders.
In mature women, a profuse yellowish discharge, associated with burning on urination, may be caused by gonorrhoea. This is a serious infection which should be treated promptly. During the child-bearing years, from adolescence to the mid-forties, the infection may sometimes follow the birth of a child due to damage to the cervix during delivery. This is increased by prolonged ill-health, anxiety, neurosis, sedentary occupation and standing for long periods. If not treated properly, this infection may continue for months or even years and may spread to other areas of the genital tract.
Leucorrhoea may also result from a chill. A chill causes inflammation of the womb and vaginal membranes. Other common causes are the displacement of the womb and unhygienic conditions which attract bacteria to the genital organs.Leucorrhoea usually shows symptoms in association with other illness. Wide variety of reasons are encountered in its causation. Commonly fungal, parasitic, bacterial and sexually transmitted diseases are the prime causative factors.
Fungal infection
Fungal infection or Candidiasis caused by the growth of a fungus, Candida albicans in vagina. It is not usually sexually transmitted although it can be. It is generally caused by an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. The vagina normally contains a certain amount of yeast and harmless bacteria, but if this balance is interrupted, the yeast may overgrow and cause inflammation of the vagina. An imbalance in vaginal flora can result by pregnancy, diabetes, birth control pills, antibiotics and douching. It is also believed that stress, a decreased immune system and excess vaginal moisture that are often caused by wearing synthetic underwear can contribute to a yeast infection.
Symptoms
Usually the woman notice a thick, curdy-white discharge. They could also notice a thinner, milkier-white discharge. Moderate to severe itching is present. The labia and vulva may be swollen and red. The skin may be sensitive to touch and the women may experience coition to be severely painful.
Parasitic Infection
Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by the protozoa, Trichomonas vaginalis. It can be found in both men and women. Trichomoniasis is usually transmitted by sexual intercourse, but is also transmitted by common washing of clothes, towels, bathing suits, underwear or any moist object.
Symptoms
Usually the woman complains of a thin, yellow to grey vaginal discharge which is often foamy and has an unpleasant odour. There may be some itching and redness noted around and inside the vagina. Some women and men do not show symptoms at all. It is important that if your partner is treated for Trichomoniasis, you as well get treated.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection often caused by variety of bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis or various other bacteria. It is caused by any bacterial contact with the vagina, whether from sexual intercourse or improper hygiene. Frequently, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS and chlamydia also cause white discharge.
Symptoms
Usually the woman notices a thin white to yellow discharge that has a unpleasant fishy odour. The discharge can be slight to excessive, yet the odour is always present and more noticeable after sexual intercourse. There may be vaginal itching and pelvic tenderness. If discharge from the urethra or vagina, pain while urinating or ulcer on the genitals is noticed, the doctor must be consulted immediately. Since the infection can be transmitted by sharing wash-cloths, towels, bathing suits, underwear or any moist object, one needs to be very careful about let these articles be shared by self or someone else. On being unsure whether sex partner has more than one partner, it is very important to use condoms.
When to seek treatment
When abnormal discharge indicates irritation, inflammation and the discharge colour is greenish, yellowish or even brownish with thick or lumpy in consistency and has a foul smell. It is always a good idea to see a doctor because any of the conditions the cause is required medical attention.
You can take these steps to decrease the likelihood of occurrences: -
Immunity plays important role in their elimination. That is the reason why there is no permanent solution to a particular causation. The body that is more susceptible to infection of the particular pathogen, it invites a Prof. (DR.) SARANSH JAIN for permanent cure! Even the white discharge cases are treated with Dr.S.K.Jain’s Burlington Clinic (P) Ltd Lucknow
Dr.S.K.Jain’s Burlington Clinic (P) Ltd Lucknow system of medicine has a very successful track record of treating a variety of cases with different illnesses. There are many clinical histories something peculiar to find even in children. Many girls are prone to get leucorrhoea before puberty.
Prof. (DR.) SARANSH JAIN treatment are based on the nature of the discharge and studying the patient as a separate, whole entity to raise the immunity. Dr.S.K.Jain’s Burlington Clinic (P) Ltd Lucknow medical health and Say bye to all your problems!