LEUCORRHOEA (Sweta Pradara)

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. This is one of the most horrid health concern of women.. There is normally more discharge at puberty, for a few days before each period, and often during pregnancy. This type of discharge is never irritant or offensive. But any vaginal discharge, which seems more than normal may be Leucorrhoea if it seems offensive, or occurs with irritation. In such case, one must invariably contact her doctor immediately.

There are two types of Leucorrhoea:

• Physiological
• Pathological

In physiological Leucorrhoea, the discharge is normal due to excitement or other factors like nervousness and there is no reason to worry about. The conditions are:

• In newborn baby for a week due to maternal oestrogen.
• In girls during puberty due to hormonal changes.
• At the time of ovulation and in early pregnancy.
• Also during sexual excitement.

It is Pathological Leucorrhoea which may be a cause of concern, if the causes are:

• Deteriorating or ill-maintained general health
• Under nutrition.
• Dysfunctional state in genital tract.
• Psychological factors.

According to Unani System of medicines:

• Vitiation of kapha
• displacement of the uterus
• due to threadworms
• due to Gonorrhoea
• Due to Self-unhygiene and consequently infections
• Due to the thickening of the mucus membrane in the reproductive organs
• Due to damage of cervix during delivery.

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.

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. ls.

Ayurvedic Cure:

• Pushyanug Churna : 5-10 gm twice daily.
• Patrangasava : 15-30 ml twice daily after meals with
• Chandraprabhavati : 2 pills in the morning and evening with a glass of milk.
• Dry Indian Gooseberry(amla) and liquorice(mulethi) 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.

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.

THE BEST WAY TO AVOID LEUCORRHOEA IS YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ON REGULAR BASIS, HOWEVER.

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