Leucorrhoea, vaginal discharge is a universal problem of all women. No body escapes from this illness. Female genitals are very much prone to infections since they are moist, more sweaty and covered. The white vaginal discharge with foul smell makes it embarrassing to get into social gatherings and even engage in personal affairs. The affected women need reassurance, prevention of infection and some counseling as they usually have abnormal psychosomatic scores. Most secretions are regarding life style physiological and warrant no medical interventions. But it is significant if it is blood stained, profuse, foul smelling or with changes in its colour. Usually the normal secretions are slimy and slightly sticky. It is something like nasal secretion. Normally the quantity of vaginal secretions varies throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation and also increasing when under emotional stress.
Causes
Leucorrhoea usually shows symptoms in association with other illness. Wide variety of reasons are encountered in its causation. Commonly fungal, parasitic, bacterial and sexually transmitted diseases are the prime causative factors.
Fungal infection
Fungal infection or Candidiasis caused by the growth of a fungus, Candida albicans in vagina. It is not usually sexually transmitted although it can be. It is generally caused by an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. The vagina normally contains a certain amount of yeast and harmless bacteria, but if this balance is interrupted, the yeast may overgrow and cause inflammation of the vagina. An imbalance in vaginal flora can result by pregnancy, diabetes, birth control pills, antibiotics and douching. It is also believed that stress, a decreased immune system and excess vaginal moisture that are often caused by wearing synthetic underwear can contribute to a yeast infection.
Symptoms
Usually the woman notice a thick, curdy-white discharge. They could also notice a thinner, milkier-white discharge. Moderate to severe itching is present. The labia and vulva may be swollen and red. The skin may be sensitive to touch and the women may experience coition to be severely painful.
Parasitic Infection
Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by the protozoa, Trichomonas vaginalis. It can be found in both men and women. Trichomoniasis is usually transmitted by sexual intercourse, but is also transmitted by common washing of clothes, towels, bathing suits, underwear or any moist object.
Symptoms
Usually the woman complains of a thin, yellow to grey vaginal discharge which is often foamy and has an unpleasant odour. There may be some itching and redness noted around and inside the vagina. Some women and men do not show symptoms at all. It is important that if your partner is treated for Trichomoniasis, you as well get treated.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection often caused by variety of bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis or various other bacteria. It is caused by any bacterial contact with the vagina, whether from sexual intercourse or improper hygiene. Frequently, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS and chlamydia also cause white discharge.
Symptoms
Usually the woman notices a thin white to yellow discharge that has a unpleasant fishy odour. The discharge can be slight to excessive, yet the odour is always present and more notice able after sexual intercourse. There may be vaginal itching and pelvic tenderness. If discharge from the urethra or vagina, pain while urinating or ulcer on the genitals is noticed, the doctor must be consulted immediately. Since the infection can be transmitted by sharing wash-cloths, towels, bathing suits, underwear or any moist object, one needs to be very careful about let these articles be shared by self or someone else. On being unsure whether sex partner has more than one partner, it is very important to use condoms.
Treatment
Immunity plays important role in their elimination. That is the reason why there is no permanent solution to a particular causation. The body that is more susceptible to infection of the particular pathogen, it invites a Unani remedy for permanent cure! Even the white discharge cases are treated with Unani medicines. Unani system of medicine has a very successful track record of treating a variety of cases with different illnesses. There are many clinical histories something peculiar to find even in children.Many girls are prone to get leucorrhoea before puberty.
Unani prescriptions are based on the nature of the discharge and studying the patient as a separate, whole entity to raise the immunity. Adopt a Unani system of medical health and Say bye to all your problems!
These are a certain conditions that warrant seeing a doctor/ physician sooner:
