LEUCORRHOEA AND ITS HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT
Dr. Aastha Singh
MD Scholar, Department of Organon Of Medicine, Bakson Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Greater Noida, U.P.
Abstract :
Every woman has periodically some normal vaginal discharges, which maintaining chemical balance and the flexibility of vaginal muscles, serve as normal defensive system for vagina. If such discharges exceed normalcy and become white or yellow thick liquid with a foul smell, it is called “Leucorrhoea” that may be a sign of infection, cancer or may be due to some other reasons. This common problem may occur due to unhygienic conditions, infection of the genital tract, or impaired immune function. Unfortunately, most women are highly embarrassed by this problem and also avoid discussing the problem with their medical health care providers, which is why the treatment for vaginal discharge caused by leucorrhoea could be a bit of a challenge.
Keywords: Gynecological problem, Leucorrhoea, Reproductive health, Vaginal discharge, Homoeopathy.
Introduction:
Leucorrhea is strictly defined as an excessive normal vaginal discharge. The symptom of excessive discharge is a subjective one with individual variation, while to declare it to be normal and not an infective one, requires clinical and laboratory investigations. The term leucorrhea should fulfil the following criteria:
1)The excess secretion is evident from persistent vulval moistness or staining of the undergarments (brownish yellow on drying) or need to wear a vulval pad.
2)It is nonpurulent and nonoffensive.
3)It is nonirritant and never causes pruritus.
Leucorrhoea is a medical condition where women experience thick whitish or yellowish colour discharge from the vagina which is mainly experienced during puberty, when sexual organs are developing in a woman. It is a frequent gynecological complaint of women that accounts for more than 25% patient’s visits to the gynecologists.It is generally defined as white fluid discharged from female genital. Sometime it flows as liquid and sometime it is sticky and thick. Its property changes according to the age of the women. Vaginal discharges up to a certain extent are normal and healthy as they flush out the dead cells of reproductive organs and other toxic organisms. In healthy women discharge is whitish in colour. The abnormal vaginal discharge may be whitish, yellowish, reddish and blackish in colour. If it is thick, sticky, white and inflammatory, medical check-up is required. With symptoms perceivable and discharge abnormal, if there is profuse and unstoppable discharge which requires pad or it is not white but grey-white, yellow, green, brown or rust-like in colour and causes itching, it is a critical condition which necessitates serious treatment. Its major cause is hormonal imbalance especially of oestrogen.
Etiology:
The most common conditions that might result into leucorrhoea include the following:
• pregnancy, premenstrual or menstrual periods and congestion of the uterus;
• infection of female genital organs;
• irritation due to mechanical factors such as use of chemical contraceptives, intrauterine devices, etc.
• emotional causes such as stress, anxiety, work pressure and sexual anxiety;
• hormonal irregularities;
• errors in diet, excessive use of stimulants, e.g., tea, coffee, alcohol and smoking; and
• medical conditions such as anaemia, tuberculosis, etc.
Symptoms:
Main symptoms of the disease are excessive vaginal discharge, pain in the thighs and calf muscles and burning micturition etc. The vaginal discharge colour may be whitish, yellowish, reddish and blackish. The discharge may be accompanied with foul smelling and itchy sensation or a pain at the infected area. Others associated symptoms of the disease with excessive vaginal discharge are [3][4]
• intense itching of the vulva
• soreness of the vulva
• fish-like smelly discharge
• yellowish or thick curd-like discharge
• vaginal bleeding in between two menstrual cycles
• severe pain or menstrual-like cramps in the lower part of the abdomen
• pain during or after sex
• bleeding during or after sex
• pain while passing urine
• vaginitis
• skin lesions around the vagina
• vulvae edema (swelling of the vagina) and
• lower back pain.
Diagnosis of Leucorrhoea:
Diagnosis includes a physical examination to identify and confirm the exact cause of leucorrhoea. Diagnosis also depends upon the frequency of symptoms, nature of the discharge, type of infection and other medical history. The discharge is subjected to microscopic examination for detection of pus cells to exclude the infective nature of the disease. If pus cells are not detected then it is case of leucorrhoea but if pus cell is detected then further investigations are carried out to identify the organism in discharge and rule out the actual disease.
History: Duration of the complaint.
Fungus infection
Excessive intercourse
About the discharge; character, modality etc.
Special examinations Smears from urethra, vagina and cervix.
Blood examination.
Urine examination.
Biopsy: for evidence of malignancy.
Management:
1)Cleanliness of reproductive organs is very important. Wash the genitals carefully during every bath and do not let moisture retain in the genitals area after the bath. Also wash vagina clean after urinating.
2)Self-medication should be avoided because some women are allergic to certain kinds of medicines and use of such medicine may cause further infections and will complicate the issue.
3)Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxic substances from the body.
4)All sugary foods such as pastries, sweets, custards, ice creams and puddings must be avoided if there is profuse discharge.
5)Stress buster exercises and morning walk should be made routine; because when body is stress free, immunity will receive a boost against illnesses.
Homoeopathic management:
Homoeopathy can be proved an effective method of treatment in leucorrhoea as it emphasizes not only treating signs and symptoms but also treating the patient as a whole. It not only manages leucorrhoea but also improves other functions. The following Homoeopathic medicine may be useful in treatment of leucorrhoea:
1)Alumina– Leucorrhea in chlorotic girls which is transparent and yellow in colour. Very profuse and ropy. Greatly exhausting, as it is very rich in albumen. It occurs chiefly in the daytime. The great profuseness is its characteristic. Very bad constipation. Patient has to strain much even for soft stool.
2) Arsenicum Album– Leucorrhea acrid, thin, offensive causes burning to the parts. Burning pain as red hot iron. Stitching pains in pelvis extending to thigh. All complaints worse on least exertion. Patient exhausted both mentally and physically. Restlessness cannot remain in same position or at same place. Thirst for large quantity at fr-equent intervals.
3) Borax- Clear copious and albuminous leucorrhoea. Leucorrhea with sensation as warm water is flowing. Leucrrhoea midway between menses with great nervousness. White as starch, perfectly bland without pain. Menses too profuse, too soon with nausea.
4)Kreasotum– Profuse watery, sometimes a yellowish leucorrhoea. Acridity is marked; it causes excoriating of the parts which come in contact with it and causes soreness and smarting and red spots and itching on the vulva. Leucorrhea with great debility.
5) Pulsatilla– Milky leucorrhea which becomes watery, acrid from being retained in the vagina. Thick, creamy, white leucorrhoea sometimes replacing menses. Disposition to lie down and dullness very marked. Mild yielding female with irritability due to disease. Desire for fatty rich food which aggravate. Patient feels better when telling her complaints.
6)Sepia– Leucorrhea yellowish green color, somewhat offensive and often excoriating. It is milky, worse before menses. Pain in abdomen and itching in vagina. The patient has a sallow, pimply face, and it is most suitable to those of dark complexion who are feeble and debilitated and who have a sensation of emptiness at the pit of the stomach. Mentally patient is very anxious about family and her children. Or may be indifferent to them. Leucorrhea with backache.
Conclusion:
Leucorrhoea is the most common and affecting a major population of women of all age group. It is affecting daily routine and decreasing the Quality of Life. Homeopathy treats the patient as a whole, taking note of causative factors, sign and symptoms and framing a totality of symptoms for the individualization purpose, which in turn helps in selection of similimum.
References
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