Leucorrhea Or Vaginal Discharge in Women: Causes, Types and Treatment
Leucorrhea is a common problem faced by women of all ages across the world. It is the excessive discharge of a thick, whitish or yellowish, sticky, foul-smelling material from the vagina. This problem occurs due to impaired immune conditions, unhygienic conditions, or infection of the genital tract. Most of the women feel uncomfortable about this problem. Some of them also avoid discussing the problem with their medical health care providers. Foul smell from vaginal discharge may be a common symptom. This symptom is nothing but called white discharge or vaginal discharge. When it combines with common symptoms, it will be considered as a sign of leucorrhea. And the symptoms are as follow;
a) Headaches
b) Fatigue
c) Constipation
d) Itching
e) Pain in the calves and lumbar region
f) Stomach cramps or pain
Causes
a) Urinary tract infection
b) Diabetes or anemia
c) Injuries to the cervix or any of the tissues in the reproductive system during pregnancy
d) Poor hygiene
e) Irritation due to external contraceptive used by either partner
f) Unprotected sexual contact
g) Irritation due to contraceptives that are interested in the vagina
h) Other infections due to the presence of bacteria or fungi
i) Lack of nutrients
j) Excessive intake of spicy, oily, and unhealthy junk food
k) Due to hormonal imbalance caused by mental stress
Types of Vaginal Discharge
There are various types of vaginal discharge based on color and consistency. In some of the cases, it is very difficult to make a diagnosis based on vaginal discharge alone. The followings are the types of vaginal discharge and their causes.
1. White
This type of discharge is normal. It occurs during ovulation or just before the menstrual cycle of a woman. There is no problem whenever there is no vaginal itching, unusual smell accompanying the discharge, burning. In some cases, this type of discharge could be a sign of infection. If the discharge looks like cottage cheese then it may occur due to yeast infection. Yeast infection is a type of infection, which may cause burning or vaginal itching. It occurs due to a fungus called Candida. Those white discharges which are having a strong fishy odor may indicate bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common vaginal infection in women between the ages of 15 – 44.
2. Yellow
This type of discharge may not indicate any infection. If the discharge is a pale yellow or odorless, then it may not cause for concern. In some cases, yellow discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a bacterial infection. The followings are some causes of yellow discharge.
a) Chlamydia often does not have any symptoms.
b) Trichomoniasis may also cause pain during urination, itching, and an unpleasant odor.
3. Clear
This type of vaginal discharge is very typical. The amount varies during the menstrual cycle of a woman and between an individual. For some instances, a clear discharge may have an egg-white consistency or it may be stretchy around the time of ovulation.
Prevention
There is no need to prevent normal vaginal discharge. But if you are facing excess discharge then to prevent you have to follow the steps written below;
a) Avoid douching, because it destroys the good bacteria which can help in preventing the vaginal infection.
b) Practice safe sex with the help of condoms or with a limited number of partners.
c) Try to wear cotton underwear because that absorbs moisture and may prevent vaginal infection.
d) Use unscented soaps, pads, and tampons. Scented or strong products may disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina which may increase the risk of vaginal infection.
Some Home Remedies for Leucorrhoea
a) Boil a liter of water and then add 3 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to it. Continue the boiling till the water reduces to half. Then cool it and drink a bowl of this water every morning. It may treat Leucorrhoea in natural ways.
b) You can wash your vaginal area with neem water.
c) Take a glass of water and add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it. And then wash the vagina with the help of this water.
d) Drink the water which is used for the preparation of white rice. And this is one of the best remedies to prevent white discharge because of heat.
Reasons for which this flow may become excessive
The followings are some reasons for which this flow may become excessive.
1. Injury
Having excessive sexual intercourse, giving birth to a child, or having an abortion may irritate the vaginal lining and an injury. This may trigger leucorrhea.
2. Diseases
Disorders like anemia or diabetes may weaken the immune system and trigger the vaginal infections causing an excessive discharge. A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) or worms in the stomach may also spread vaginal infection.
3. Infections
Your vagina is vulnerable to bacteria, fungal, and parasitic infections. This infection can be encouraged by the use of synthetic underwear, unprotected sexual intercourse, or poor hygiene. The increased amount of vaginal discharge is the sign of a vaginal infection.
4. Bad hygiene
Forgetting to change tampons, sharing public toilets, or not changing the underwear often may also increase the cause of the vaginal discharge.
5. Contraceptives
Contraceptive jellies and sprays used at the time of having intercourse may cause excessive discharging. In some cases, irritation of Intra-uterine contraceptive devices can cause pain or discharge.