Leucorrhoea, commonly known as whites, refers to a whitish discharge from the female genitals.
It is an abnormal condition of the reproductive organs of women. If not treated properly in the
initial stages, it may become chronic.
Recent investigations have shown that secretions from the
uterus and upper part of the vagina
flow down and are reabsorbed in the lower parts of the vagina. This is the normal constant flow
within the female organs. The whitish discharge is, however, caused by the presence of
infection
in any of these tissues and a variety of other factors . The condition may continue for weeks or
months at a time.
Symptoms
In addition to the whitish discharge from the vagina, the patient feels weak and tired. She also
suffers from pain in the
lumbar region and the calves and a dragging sensation in the abdomen.
Other
symptoms are
constipation, frequent headaches and intense itching. In the chronic form,
the patient feels irritable and develops black patches under the eyes.
Causes
Leucorrhoea does not develop suddenly in an acute form. It denotes a devitalised and toxic
condition of the system generally. The condition also involves one or many parts of the
reproductive organs. 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 . It may be due to an irritation of the genital organs caused by various factors
such as dirt, soiled under garments,
intestinal worms and excessive mental stimulation of sex or
masturbation. Some excess secretion is normal when the girl reaches puberty, due to
overactivity in her sex glands and organs. This usually disappears within a short time.
In your women,
leucorrhoea may occur during intermenstrual 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. During the
child-bearing years, from adolescence to the mid-forties, the
infection may sometimes follow the
birth of a child due to damage of the
cervix during delivery. This is increased by prolonged
ill-health, anxiety, neurosis, sedentary occupation and standing for long periods. If not treated
properly, this
infection may continue for months or even years and may spread to other areas of
the genital tract.
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 geniral organs.
The Cure
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.
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. 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.
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 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.
Treatment through water is extremely beneficial in curing
leucorrhoea. A cold hip bath twice a
day for 10 minutes will help relieve congestion in the pelvic region and facilitate quick eliminationof morbid matter. A warm vaginal douche at 30 o to 40 o C is beneficial to general cleansing and
elimination of the purulent discharge. The procedure is to fill the douche can with 1 1/2 litre of
warm water and hang it at a level of three feet above the body. The patient should lie with the
hips slightly raised above the body and a special nozzle applied for this purpose should be oiled
and inserted slowly into the vagina. The flow can be regulated by the small value at the nozzle.
In severe cases of
leucorrhoea, the douche should be done daily.
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. For a hot hip bathan 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. For the wet
girdle pack, a thin cotton underwear and another thick or woolen underwear are required. The
thin underwear should be wrung in cold water and worn by the patient. The thick dry underwear
should be worn above the wet underwear. If the patient feels chill, she should be covered with a
blanket.
Yogasanas, especially those which improve muscles of the abdomen and
uterus are highly
beneficial and should be practised regularly. These asanas are paschimottanasana,
sarvagasana, halasana, padmasana, bhujansana, and shalabhasana.
The patient should completely relax and should avoid mental tension and worry. Abdominal
exercises and walking are also helpful.