Treating Leucorrhea - Ayurvedic Way

Leucorrhea (Shweta Pradar)

This is one the commonest gynaecological disorders, which females generally suffer from, specially working women and those who lead a stressful life, often come to me for its ayurvedic treatment. So I m sharing this on this blog.

Leucorrhea is excessive discharge of fluid from the vagina other than menstrual blood. It is physiological (when it shows a few days before or after menstruation), colorless or whitish, odorless and non-irritating.
However, when pathological, it becomes colored, offensive, thick, acrid, and produces lower abdominal discomfort, lower back pain and itching of the vulva.
Leucorrhoea is a condition in which there is a whitish discharge from the vagina resulting from inflammation or irritation of the membrane lining the genital organs of the female.
It often occurs normally, but if excessive may be a symptom of infection. Leucorrhoea is a simple increase in the normal vaginal secretion.
established It may be thick,viscid and foul smelling. There is normally more discharge at puberty, when the sexual functions are becoming.
Leucorrhoea can also be classified as cervical leucorrhoea or vaginal leucorrhoea i.e., according to the place of its origin - cervix or vagina.

Symptoms
Following are the signs or symptoms that indicate the presence of this disease in females:

White discharge from the vagina accompanied by backache

• General debility
• Constipation
• Headache

CAUSES

There are variety of reasons which cause leucorrhea. Some of them are listed below

FUNGAL INFECTION :- When the woman is infected by a fungus, then the discharge is thick and white accompanied by an itching sensation. This kind of discharge is also known as a Vaginal Thrush.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES :- Some STDs can cause leucorrhea in women. The most popular of such STDs is Trichomoniasis. Such discharges are greenish or yellow.

UNHYGIENIC TOILET HABITS:- Sharing toilet articles, especially in public toilets. Women who rely a lot on vaginal medications are often victim of leucorrhea.

CERVICAL PROBLEMS:- Two kinds of problems with the cervix, the cervical erosion and the cervical polyp, can cause leucorrhea. Such leucorrhea is generally more profuse following sexual intercourse. This discharge is brown and resembles concealed blood.

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASES:- The pelvis gets inflamed due to an infection and cause leucorrhea.

DISEASE CONDITIONS:- Women who suffer from diseases such as tuberculosis or anaemia may have heavy discharges from their vaginas.

STRESS AND TENSIONS:- Women who live under stress and worries develop leucorrhea.

There are many causes of leucorrhea, the usual one being estrogen imbalance i.e. increase or decrease in levels of Vaginal discharge is normal for a woman, and all women are different. Causes of change in discharge include infection, malignancy, and hormonal changes. It sometimes occurs before a girl has her first period, and is considered a sign of puberty.

Leukorrhea may occur normally during pregnancy. This is caused by increased blood flow to the vagina due to increased estrogen. Female infants may have leucorrhea for a short time after birth due to their in-uterine exposure to estrogen.

After delivery, leucorrhea accompanied by backache and foul-smelling lochia (post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue) may suggest the failure of involution (the uterus returning to pre-pregnant size) due to infection. Investigations: wet smear, gram stain, culture, pap smear and biopsy.

TREATMENT ACCORDING TO MODERN SCIENCE
Generally patients are prescribed symptomatically, and given basically for the vaginal thrush, which usually doesn’t give much relief. Even if they give they are not for long terms.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH

Causes / Dosha
In this ailment kapha dosha is responsible for originating this disease.

Pathogenesis
This ailment is the result of aggravation of kapha dosha in the female body due to certain diets and lifestyle. Aggravated kapha contaminates the vagina and produces stickiness and itching in the vagina accompanied by a thick white discharge.

Treatment

The medical treatment given to women in this ailment is as follows:
The single drugs (ekari dravyas) used in this case are very effective and beneficial.
Some of them are given below.

Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)


It has antimicrobial and anti inflammatory effect. It is used in leucorrhea, diarrhea , blood disorder and skin disorders. It also has a cooling effect and is used as a cardiotonic, antipyretic, anthelmintic and laxative. It is also used to alleviate stomachache, and is believed to promote appetite.

SARACA ASOCA (ASHOKA)

It has oxytocic, antibacterial, anti-implantation, antitumour, antiprogestational, antioestrogenic, activity against leucorrhea, menorrhagia and carcinogenic growth..

NIRGUNDI (VITEX NIGUNDO)

Nirgundi has anti helminthic, anti inflammatory and germicidal properties. It is useful in several diseases like loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, skin and bleeding disorders along with leucorrhea. It also rejuvenates hair.

AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM)

Neem has anti allergic, anti enzemic, anti fungal, anti dermatic, anti inflammatory, larvicidal, bacticide and many more. Due to all these properties it is very beneficial in leucorrhea, skin disorders, malaria, tuberculosis, renal diseases, wounds and the list goes on.

EMBILICA OFFICINALS (AMLA)

Amla is the best source for Vitamin C. It also has anti oxidant and detoxification properties. It is well known for treating skin disorders and hair problems. It is a strong rejuvenative. Along with leucorrhea it treats eye problems, scurvy, haemorrhage, dysentery, strengthens immune system and prevents respiratory disorders.

AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS

There are many formulations but I am denoting some common and the most effective ones.

• Pradrank Churna
• Pushyanug Churna
• Pradarantak Lauh
• Chandraprabha Vati
• Ashokarishta

Some home made remedies are also useful in this ailment.

• Jeera (Fenugreek) kwath(decoction).
• Mand (Rice gruel).
• Amla with honey.

PANCHKARMA

Triphala kwath dhawan. (Washing of vaginal area with freshly prepared triphala kwath, make sure that the triphala churna is also fresh.)

• Awgah ( Sitz bath)
• Uttar Basti (Vaginal douche)
• Dhoopan (Fumigation)

YOGASAN

• Sarvagasana
• Halasana
• Padmasana
• Bhujangasana
• Shalabhasana
• Paschimottanasana

DO’S and DON’T’S

• Mind must be pure.
• Sexual intercourse during treatment must be reduced or avoided.
• Avoid reading, watching or listening to sexually stimulating materials.
• Sattvic, easily digestible food should be taken at regular intervals.
• Non-vegetarian foods, excessive amount of puddings, garlic, onion, pickles, potatoes, sour foods, excessive fried and greasy food must be avoided.
• Bowels must be well cleansed regularly.

These are the effective and beneficial methods of Ayurveda to cure along with long term relief from this ailment.

For more details and queries please contact:-

dr.ohmi@gmail.com

C/O Dr.Amrita Priyadarshini (Consultant)

BAMS, (BVU, Pune) PGDEMS (UK)

Member of DHARMA AYURVEDA SOCIETY.