Leucorrhoea
Leucorrhoea, commonly known as whites, refers to a
whitish discharge from the female genitals. It is an abnormal condition of the
reproductive organs of women. If not treated properly in the initial stages, it
may become chronic.
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.
Symptoms
In addition to the whitish discharge from the vagina,
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 devitalised 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
under garments, 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 your 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 gonorrhea. 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 of 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.
Treatment
A total health-building scheme is essential for the
removal of the systemic toxicity which is primarily responsible for the
disease. Such a scheme should consist of correct dietary habits, proper sleep,
exercise, fresh air and sunshine. To begin with, the patient should fast for
three or four days on lemon water or fruit juices for the elimination of the
morbid matte from the body. During this period the bowel should be cleansed daily
with a warm water enema. In case of habitual constipation, steps should be
taken for its eradication.
After a short fast, the patient may adopt an all
fruit-diet for about a week. In this regimen, she should have three meals a day
of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges,
pineapple and peaches. If the patient is suffering from anemia, or is very much
underweight, the diet may consist of fruits and milk. The patient may then
gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet consisting of three basic food
groups namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) fruits and (iii) vegetables. Fresh
fruits or fruit juices only should be taken between meals. All forms of white
four, white sugar, fried and greasy foods, condiments, preserves, tea and
coffee should be avoided.
An effective
home remedy for leucorrhoea is lady’s finger. A decoction of this vegetable
is prepared by boiling of 100 grams of the fresh capsules, cut transversely, in
half a liter of water for 20 minutes and then strained sweetened. This
decoction, given in doses of two or three ounces frequently, is highly
beneficial in all irritable conditions of genito-urinary organs including leucorrhoea.
Fenugreek seeds are another excellent home remedy for
leucorrhoea. They should be taken internally in the form of tea and also used
as a douche. For a douche, the solution should be much stronger than tea. Two
tablespoonfuls of fenugreek seeds should be put in a liter of cold water and
allowed to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. It should then be strained
and used as a douche.
Hydrotherapy
Treatment through water is extremely beneficial in
curing leucorrhoea. A cold hip bath twice a day for 10 minutes will help
relieve congestion in the pelvic region and facilitate quick elimination of
morbid matter. A warm vaginal douche at 30° to 40°C is beneficial to general
cleansing and elimination of the purulent discharge. The procedure is to fill
the douche can with 1 1/2 liter of warm water and hang it at a level of three
feet above the body. The patient should lie with the hips slightly raised above
the body and a special nozzle applied for this purpose should be oiled and
inserted slowly into the vagina. The flow can be regulated by the small value
at the nozzle. In severe cases of
leucorrhoea, the douche should be done daily.
The passive inflammation of the affected organs can
be cured by regular hot hip baths at 40°C for 10 minutes and regular use of wet
girdle pack for 90 minutes every night. For a hot hip bath an ordinary bath tub
may be used. It should be filled with water at 40°C. The patient should sit in
the tub, keeping the legs outside, after taking a glass of cold water. The head
should be covered with a wet cloth. A cold water bath should be taken after
this treatment. For the wet girdle pack, a thin cotton underwear and another
thick or woolen underwear are required. The thin underwear should be wrung in
cold water and worn by the patient. The thick dry underwear should be worn
above the wet underwear. If the patient feels chill, she should be covered with
a blanket.
Yogasanas, especially those which improve muscles of
the abdomen and uterus are highly beneficial and should be practised regularly.
These asanas are paschimottanasana, sarvagasana, halasana, padmasana,
bhujansana, and shalabhasana.
The patient should completely relax and should avoid
mental tension and worry. Abdominal exercises and walking are also helpful.
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