LEUCORRHEA

 Leucorrhoea, commonly known as whites, refers to a whitish discharge from the female genitals that contains mucus and white blood cells, sometimes tinged with blood. The amount of discharge increases when estrogen levels are heightened, if blood is present a more serious disorder may be indicated. 

It is an abnormal condition of the reproductive organs of women.  The whitish discharge is, however, caused by the presence of infection.

SYMPTOMS:

# Whitish discharge from the vagina

# Feels weak and tired.

# Pain in the lumbar region and the calves and a dragging sensation in the abdomen.

# Other symptoms are constipation, 

# Frequent headaches and intense itching and burning. 

# In the chronic form- Patient feels irritable and develops black patches under the eyes.

CAUSES:

- Vitamin B complex deficiency, 

- excessive douching, 

- use of antibiotics or oral contraceptives, 

- intestinal worms,

- Hormonal imbalance, due poor diet, eating animal fat can be another cause

- Depression, anxiety or stress

- Leucorrhoea does not develop suddenly in an acute form. It denotes a devitalised and toxic condition of the system generally.

- 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 . 

- 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 inter menstrual 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. 

- 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.

MANAGEMENT

# Wear white cotton underwear, so air can circulate freely. Keep the area clean and dry.

# A total health-building scheme is essential for the removal of the systemic toxicity which is primarily responsible for the disease. Such a scheme should consist of correct dietary habits, proper sleep, exercise, fresh air and sunshine (health laws).

# To begin with, the patient should fast for three or four days on lemon water or fruit juices for the elimination of the morbid matte from the body. During this period the bowel should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema. In case of habitual constipation, steps should be taken for its eradication.

# After a short fast, the patient may adopt an all fruit-diet for about a week. In this regimen , she should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple and peaches. 

# If the patient is suffering from anaemia, or is very much underweight, the diet may consist of fruits and milk (nut milk).

# The patient may then gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet consisting of three basic food groups namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) fruits and (iii) vegetables. Fresh fruits or fruit juices only should be taken between meals. 

# All forms of white four, white sugar, fried and greasy foods, condiments, preserves, tea and coffee should be avoided.

HOME REMEDY

# An effective home remedy for leucorrhoea is lady’s finger. A decoction of this vegetable is prepared by boiling of 100 grams of the fresh capsules, cut transversely, in half a litre of water for 20 minutes and then strained sweetened.

# This decoction, given in doses of two or three ounces (30 ml) frequently, is highly beneficial in all irritable conditions of genito-urinary organs including leucorrhoea.

# Fenugreek seeds are another excellent home remedy for leucorrhoea. They should be taken internally in the form of tea and also used as a douche. For a douche, the solution should be much stronger than tea. 

# Two tablespoonful of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and allowed to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. It should then be strained and used as a douche.

# others are tulsi or holy basil, ginger, coriander seeds, guava leaves etc.

HYDROTHERAPY 

# Douche with 6-8 fresh garlic juice and water

# A cold hip bath twice a day for 10 minutes will help relieve congestion in the pelvic region and facilitate quick elimination of morbid matter. 

# The passive inflammation of the affected organs can be cured by regular hot hip baths at 40 o C for 10 minutes and regular use of wet girdle pack for 90 minutes every night.

Wet girdle pack

# For a hot hip bath an ordinary bath tub may be used. It should be filled with water at 40 o C. The patient should sit in the tub, keeping the legs outside, after taking a glass of cold water. The head should be covered with a wet cloth. A cold water bath should be taken after this treatment.