Leucorrhoea or Whites

Leucorrhoea commonly known as whites refers to a whitish discharge from the female genitals. The vaginal discharge plays an important role in maintaining a healthy vagina. The secretions are designed to flush out bacteria and other tiny organisms to prevent infection. Normal vaginal discharge is odourless and a clear or pale milky colour.

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.

Two types of Leucorrhoea

There are two types of Leucorrhoea, physiological and pathological. In physiological Leucorrhoea, the discharge is normal due to excitement or other factors like nervousness. Such a discharge need not be worried about. It is found under following conditions:-

• Seen in the newborn baby for a week due to maternal oestrogens.
  
  
• Seen in girls during puberty due to hormonal changes.
  
  
• At the time of ovulation and in early pregnancy.
  
  
• During sexual excitement.

In pathological Leucorrhoea the causes are:-

• General ill health and undernutrition.
  
  
• Dysfunctional state in the genital tract.
  
  
• Psychological factors.

Symptoms

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 devitalized 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 undergarments, intestinal worms and excessive mental stimulation of sex or masturbation.

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 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 to 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 genital organs.

When to seek treatment

When abnormal discharge indicates irritation, inflammation and the discharge colour is greenish, yellowish or even brownish with thick or lumpy in consistency and has a foul smell. It is always a good idea to see a doctor because any of the conditions the cause is required medical attention.

You can take these steps to decrease the likelihood of occurrences: -

• Food consists of correct dietary habits, proper sleep, exercise, fresh air and the sunshine.
  
  
• The diet may consist of fruits and milk. The patient may then gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet consisting of basic food groups namely seeds, nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit juices should be taken between meals.
  
  
• All forms of white flour, white sugar, fried and greasy foods, condiments, preserves, tea and coffee should be avoided.