A common problem faced by many women of all ages across the globe, leucorrhea is a condition where a whitish fluid is discharged from the genitals of a woman. There is a difference between the regular discharge and leucorrhoea. In order to maintain a healthy vagina and flush out harmful microorganisms from the vagina the body discharges a pale white and odorless fluid. But when there is an infection in the vagina, the discharge takes on a different form and is called leucorrhoea. Here is all you need to know about leucorrhoea.
The symptoms of leucorrhoea
If you experience the symptoms listed below, you must consult a doctor for further investigations.
Foul smell from vaginal discharge is a common symptom of this condition. But if it is combined with other symptoms, as listed below, it could be a sign of leucorrhoea. The symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Pain in the calves and lumbar region
- Itching
The causes for leucorrhoea
While there are a number of reasons for this condition, here are some of the most common ones:
- Unprotected sexual contact
- lack of nutrients
- Poor hygiene
- Injuries to the cervix or any of the tissues in the reproductive system during pregnancy
- Urinary tract infection
- Other infections due to the presence of bacteria or fungi
- Irritation due to contraceptives that are inserted into the vagina
- Irritation due to external contraceptive used by either partners
- Diabetes or anemia
Types of leucorrhoea
There are two types of leucorrhoea, they are:
Physiologic: This is considered a normal state where the discharge can be due to a change in one’s hormonal levels. Usually it is seen in the early stages of pregnancy, state of sexual excitement, a sign of puberty for young girls and in a newborn baby for a week after birth (due to presence of maternal estrogens).
Inflammatory or pathological: In this case the discharge can be yellow in color and have a foul smell. It could be caused due to any of the infections listed above and a medical consultation is required.
The pathological reasons for the condition may be classified as below:
Cervicitis
One of the most common symptoms of this condition is pain in the lower back. Caused due to an inflammation in the uterine cervix, this inflammation is usually due to an STD, allergic reaction to IUD (intra-uterine devices as contraceptives) or a reaction to contraceptive ointment, jelly or condom used.
Vaginal yeast infection
Also known as candidiasis or vaginal yeast infection, it is most often seen in women who are diabetic, pregnant, on antibiotics or birth control pills. The change in the pH level of a woman’s vagina can lead to a yeast infection. It could also be caused due to unhygienic conditions including wearing soiled or damp under garments.
Trichomonal Vaginitis
Trichomoniasis is usually accompanied by a frothy yellow discharge and itching. The probable causes are STD, using soiled sanitary towels or wearing soiled under garments. The symptoms start presenting any time after 3- 28 days after the infection has occurred.
Treatment for leucorrhoea
Since the vagina is moist and covered at all times, it is highly susceptible to infections. However, for many women discussing the problem of foul smelling discharge even with their medical practitioner can be embarrassing. This is why there are many who prefer home remedies to prescription medication. The conventional treatment would be a dose of antibiotics such as Povidone, Natamycin or Nystatin. But these medicines should be used only when prescribed by a doctor.
Prevention for leucorrhoea
This is a disease that can easily be prevented by ensuring that certain changes are brought about in your lifestyle. This would include maintaining proper hygiene. Apart from that, ensuring that you have a healthy nutrition-rich diet must be taken to ensure there is no weakness in the body or any deficiencies. Some food items are said to aggravate the condition like spicy food, so they must be avoided. There must be a balance of exercise and rest in the daily lifestyle.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.