Authors: Dr. Nandini Dadhich1 and Dr. Dilip Dadhich2
- MD (PGR), Dept. of Materia Medica, Dr.M.P.K.Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur (A constituent unit of Homoeopathy University, Jaipur, Raj. 302029) India.
- M.D.(Hom.), Professor and HOD, Dept. of Physiology & Biochemistry, Dr.M.P.K.Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur (A constituent unit of Homoeopathy University, Jaipur, Raj. 302029) India.
Leucorrhea is considered as normal vaginal discharge. The excess secretion may be due to persistent vulvar moistness. It should be non purulent, non offensive and non irritant. The causes of normal vaginal discharge may be –
- During puberty, the increased levels of estrogen produce excess secretion.
- Around ovulation.
- Premenstrual pelvic congestion.
- Pregnancy.
- Sexual excitement.
- Non infective cervical lesions.
- Increased vaginal transudation produces excess exfoliation of superficial cells.
Any change in the vagina’s balance of normal bacteria can affect smell, color, discharge texture.
Causes of abnormal discharge –
- Use of antibiotics or steroids
- Bacterial infection
- OCPs
- Cervical cancer
- STDs
- Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
- Pelvic infection after surgery
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Trichomoniasis
- Vaginal atrophy
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infections
Guide to the color and their probable causes –
| COLOR | CAUSE | SYMPTOMS |
| Bloody or brown | Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer | Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain |
| Cloudy or yellow | Gonorrhea | Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain |
| Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell | Trichomoniasis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis | Pain and itching while urinating |
| Pink | Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia) | |
| Thick, white, cheesy | Bacterial vaginosis, Yeast infection | Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse |
| White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor | Bacterial vaginosis | Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva |
Normally it is thick whitish discharge, any shade in the discharge other than this is indicative of some infection.
Here are some homoeopathic medicines indicative in different shades of leucorrhea –
- Alumina – flesh colored
- Ammonium muriaticum – albuminous
- Ambra grisea – bluish
- Argentum meallicum – gray
- Arsenic album – yellow
- Aurum iodatum – yellow
- Borax – albuminous, transparent, white
- Calcarea carbonimcum – milky, yellow
- Calcarea sulph – bloody
- Carbo veg – green
- Chamomilla – yellow
- Cinchona officinalis – bloody, black
- Cocculus – bloody
- Graphites – white
- Hydrastis – albuminous, yellow
- Kali muriaicum – milky
- Kreosote – yellow
- Lilium tig – brown
- Mercurius solubilis – green
- Natrium muriaticum –albuminous, green, transparent
- Natrium phos – honey colored
- Natrium sulph – green
- Nitric acid – bloody, brown, flesh colored
- Nux moschata – muddy
- Pulsatilla – cream like, milky
- Rhus toxicodendron – black
- Secale cor – black, gray
- Sepia – albuminous, amber colored, bloody, green, milky, transparent, white, yellow
- Sulphur – greenish yellow, yellow
- Tabacum – flesh colored
Management –
- Keep the vagina clean by washing with a gentle, mild soap and warm water on the outside.
- Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche.
- Avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
- After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
- Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid tight clothing.
References:
- Schroyens F. Synthesis, 8th ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) LTD; 2001.
- Murphy R, ND. Homoeopathic medical repertory, 3rd revised ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) LTD; 2010.
