Leucorrhoea or white discharge is one of the most common problems seen in a female patient. We encounter this problem nearly on a daily basis. However few people actually understand what this discharge really is and how to tackle this problem. This article should help people especially women to realize what leucorrhoea is and what can be done to solve it.

First you need to know that leucorrhoea is of two types, physiological and pathological.

Physiological Leucorrhoea

By physiological I mean that it is a natural discharge produced by the female body due to some metabolic, hormonal or other changes within the body itself. This is normally seen in females who are in their child-bearing period.

1. It occurs normally at the time of puberty in girls due to hormonal changes.

2. White discharge occurs during the phase of ovulation in the menstrual cycle of most women.

3. Pregnancy is another condition in which leucorrhoea is quite common.

4. A woman's body naturally releases vaginal fluid during sexual excitement.

5. Sometimes this discharge may be seen in newborns for about a week. This occurs under the influence of maternal oestrogen.

6. Emotional stress can trigger this white secretion.

In physiological leucorrhoea the discharge is normally sticky, whitish but not offensive or foul smelling. It has a similar appearance and consistency as that of a nasal discharge. It may just dampen the underwear and does not normally stain. There might be a feeling of weakness and fatigue but there is no burning or redness.

Pathological Leucorrhoea

This type of white discharge occurs when there is an infection present. Women are especially susceptible to acquiring infections in this area as the openings for the urinary tract, vagina and anus are all located very close to each other and this area tends to remain moist and covered most of the time.
Infection of this area can be caused a number of organisms like bacteria, fungus, parasites etc… The most common infections are Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis.

CANDIDIASIS

This is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. The vaginal area in normal conditions has flora, which consists of yeast and bacteria. These keep the growth of each other under control and a balance is maintained. However if due to some reason the balance is disturbed and the yeast allowed to multiply then the female suffers from candidiasis. This imbalance can be caused by pregnancy, usage of oral contraceptive pills, repeated antibiotics, conditions like diabetes. Also if the person's immunity is low due to stress or illness then it makes her more susceptible to this infection. Wearing synthetic underwear can cause an increase in vaginal moisture making the person more prone to getting candidiasis. This infection is not normally transmitted sexually.

Here the discharge appears more curd like, thick, whitish in colour. There is an inflammation of the labia and vulva and it may appear swollen and red. The area becomes very sensitive and intercourse can be very painful. Itching can be moderate to severe causing discomfort.

TRICHOMONIASIS

This infection is caused by a parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis can be transmitted either sexually or by poor hygienic habits. Both males and females suffer from this infection and hence can be transmitted from one to the other during sexual intercourse.
It can also be spread by using someone else's clothing or washing towels, bathing suits, under garments all together.

Here the discharge is more yellowish white in colour and has a distinct odour. The smell can be offensive and cause embarrassment. There may be a foamy consistency of the discharge. Even in this infection there will be redness and itching especially in and around the vagina.
Sometimes however the person carrying the infection may have no visible symptoms of it.

Pathological leucorrhoea can also be caused by threadworms and other sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea. Weak anaemic women or those who have just given birth are more prone to developing inflammation of the pelvic organs and leucorrhoea.

HOW CAN LEUCORRHOEA BE PREVENTED?

Normal physiological white discharge occurs during the child bearing age in any females life and does not cause problems. It is the pathological leucorrhoea that we need to prevent.
The most effective way of preventing these infections is by taking care of your immunity. Keep yourself both mentally and physically fit and find ways to deal with your stress like exercise, yoga, meditation etc…In this way you will build up your resistance to catching infections.
Avoid repeated use of antibiotics, this not only kills the harmful bacteria but also the natural bacteria present in the vaginal region causing the yeast to multiply. Also bacteria become resistant to the antibiotic, which loses its effectiveness.
Maintain a high level of hygiene. Always change your underwear daily and wash yourself properly after using the toilet. Clean yourself from front to back and not the other way round as the anal region contains infective material. Use toilet paper if possible to dry yourself so that no moisture remains.
Teach your child the importance of hand washing and cleaning the area after passing stool or urine.
If someone is suffering from a vaginal or other related infection wash the clothes and keep the towel separate.
If you are having sexual intercourse with someone who may have the infection ask him to use a condom. It helps in preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR LEUCORRHOEA

There are various anti-fungal creams and medicines available as over the counter treatment however I would caution you in using these. Each one of these preparations has their own side effects.
Normally when a female comes to us with this problem it is already a chronic one as she has tried all other forms of medicine. When all the various creams, ointments and medicines fail to cure the last resort seems to be Homoeopathy. This is because the other medicines and creams only have a temporary effect and just suppresses the infection but they do not help in improving the patient's immunity or in eradicating the problem completely.
In homoeopathic treatment for leucorrhoea we have to take not only the colour, consistency, odour, physical appearance of the discharge into account but also the patient's own symptoms and constitution. There are a large number of homoeopathic remedies, which have the potential to cure this problem if the symptoms are present. I have tried to include those that I have found effective in my practice.

ALUMINA

Here the discharge is acrid, so profuse that the person feels as if it will run down to the feet. Leucorrhoea is transparent in colour, ropy in consistency. There is lot of burning in the genital area due to the corrosive nature of the discharge.
The affected areas are inflamed and so painful that even walking becomes difficult. The patient will complaint of a constant desire to itch the area.
All these symptoms are worse during the daytime and after her period. The only thing that gives relief is washing the genital area with cold water.

Alumina 1M, should be thought of when these symptoms are present.

BORAX

When the discharge appears like the white portion of an egg think of this remedy. The leucorrhoea is pasty in consistency and feels hot. She says that there is a sensation as if warm water was flowing.
There is severe itching of the vulva, which causes a lot of discomfort. In Borax the symptoms normally come on or are worse either before or after the period. The desire for sexual intercourse is greatly reduced.
Borax is also an excellent remedy in cases of membranous dysmenorrhoea.

GRAPHITES

Graphites is one of the most effective remedies in treating cases of leucorrhoea. Here the discharge is pale, white, thin in nature. It is excoriating and acrid. Sometimes this discharge comes instead of the actual period. The discharge comes in gushes day and night. All these symptoms are aggravated either before of after the menses. The patient also complains of backache along with this discharge.
Graphites is also useful in cases of skin problems like eczema of the vulva and herpetic eruptions in this area.

Give Graphites 200, 5 pills 4 times a day till complete healing takes place.

SEPIA

This is an excellent remedy in cases of problems relating to the female genital tract. There is a peculiar sensation that the Sepia patient experiences, she feels as if all the pelvic organs will escape through the vulva. This bearing down sensation is so apparent that she has to cross her legs and sit in order to feel comfortable.
In Sepia the discharge is greenish yellow in colour. There is a lot of soreness, redness of the labia and the surrounding areas. The patient has no desire for intercourse which is painful.
Sepia should also be thought of in cases of white discharge in young girls. Here the discharge is whitish, lumpy curd like in nature.

According to the case the potency and dosage of Sepia should be determined.