Have you ever experienced a white or milky liquid discharged from the vagina? Well, that is what leucorrhoea is. Worry not! It is not a serious health concern. It's just a way by which the vagina cleans itself and tries to maintain a correct pH level.
You may experience its start after the puberty years and this continues for a lifetime. In each phase of a woman’s life like the menstrual period, during or after pregnancy, and menopause, the amount & consistency of discharge changes. However, the normal fluid looks milky or clear white.
You need to worry if your discharge leaves a strong foul smell and results in weakness, pain, vaginal itching, etc. The main cause behind this to happen is an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.
If the symptoms are not severe you can manage it with home remedies for leucorrhoea. It's a much safer option. Else, for proper treatment, you can go for leucorrhoea treatment in Ayurveda. Ayurveda promotes natural healing with the help of herbs and ancient techniques. With the right treatment, you will find relief.
Types of Leucorrhoea
Physiologic:
It is considered to be the normal discharge that women experience. There is nothing to worry about in it. It is a normal function of the body which indicates that it is maintaining balance and hygiene down there.
It consists of thin, white, clear fluid. This fluid keeps the vagina clean by removing mucus and old dead cells. However, its amount and consistency vary completely. For eg., you may notice an increase in discharge during the ovulation phase. This happens because the body produces more estrogen. Similar is in the case of pregnancy, where hormones play a role.
Inflammatory:
It is different from that of a normal type of leucorrhoea. It happens due to an overgrowth of bacteria, STIs, or yeast infections. This causes inflammation in the vagina area or cervix.
The common signs of inflammatory leucorrhoea are:
- Thick discharge
- Yellow to green in color
- Unpleasant smell
- Excessive itching
- Burning
- Redness
- Pain during urination
These signs simply depict that there is an underlying issue down there. For this, the person has to immediately consult an expert.
Parasitic:
When an infection is caused in the vagina due to the parasites, it is categorized under Parasitic Leucorrhoea. This can lead to a condition named trichomoniasis.
This mainly results in inflammation of the vagina and an abnormal discharge. It’s common signs one can notice are:
- Frothy discharge
- Yellow-green color
- Bad odor
- Itching
- Redness
- Irritation
- Pain & discomfort
This is mainly due to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Therefore, the doctor will diagnose and treat it.
Leucorrhoea During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body changes a lot, especially hormones. This causes a change in the amount or texture of vaginal discharge as well. Normally, it increases resulting in a concern among females whether it is normal or not. But ladies you don’t need to stress out as it is completely common during the time of pregnancy.
Some tips for pregnant ladies to cope with leucorrhoea -
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Wear breathable undergarments: using cotton fabric or other breathable fabrics will reduce the moisture. This will help with less itching and irritation.
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Avoid usage of tampons for vaginal discharge: some ladies use tampons to deal with leucorrhoea. However, this is not the right way as this fluid is meant to discharge out from the body. If it remains inside the vagina for long hours, it will imbalance the pH levels.
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Wash with gentle soap and warm water: personal hygiene is essential during leucorrhoea or in general. Keep in mind, not to use chemical-infused cleaners. A simple gentle soap with slightly warm water is enough to maintain vaginal hygiene.
Remedies to try at Home for Leucorrhoea
Are you also looking for leucorrhoea treatment at home? Well, some amazing Ayurvedic remedies are all you need. They are super beneficial as they provide relief from discomforting symptoms of leucorrhoea. Here’s one short list for you.
Garlic
Garlic is one of those Indian spices that has been treated as ayurvedic medicine for leucorrhoea from ancient times. Its natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties show its magic in killing the excess growth of bacteria.
Along with this, it has some healing and immune-strengthening qualities. which works as an equipment against infection.
There are 2 good ways for its consumption:
Garlic clove - Just 2 raw cloves on an empty stomach is all you need. Else, you can crush the cloves for better absorption.
Garlic & water - Simply soak a few garlic cloves in water overnight and drink the water the next morning.
Greek yogurt
The probiotic in yogurt is like a good bacteria for our gut or vaginal health. It fights off the bacteria and yeast, thus, maintaining pH levels. As read above in the types, sometimes, leucorrhoea is caused due to inflammation or irritation. The yogurt’s anti-inflammatory properties work best here. Plus, the rich nutrients in it will boost one’s immune system to fight off bacteria and yeast.
Though, you need to understand that greek yogurt itself is not a complete solution to leucorrhoea. In case of severe symptoms, it will be a good idea to see a doctor.
Coconut oil
Its compound, lauric acid, has some strong antimicrobial effects on human health. This will kill the bacteria, fungi, or yeast, that is causing the discharge. Additionally, it also soothes irritation and itchiness. In short, it will provide you relief from the discomforting symptoms of leucorrhoea.
If you consume it orally, by adding it to your dishes, it will boost your immune power as well.
How to consume? Orally or topically. Orally means you can add 1-2 teaspoons of organic coconut oil to your diet daily. Either by cooking dishes with it, consuming it raw (only virgin coconut oil), or adding it to the smoothies.
Topically means, applying a small amount of organic cold-pressed oil directly to your vaginal area.
Tea tree oil
Leucorrhoea can be sometimes extremely discomforting for women. To reduce itchiness/redness, odor, or any physical discomfort, tea tree oil will work for you. It will slowly balance the vaginal imbalances.
Using it in a natural way will promote healing by balancing and providing soothing.
Here are some ways for its usage:
Diluted tree tea solution - dilute 3-4 drops of tea tree with coconut or olive oil, then apply to the vaginal area. It should not be directly applied on its own.
Warm Sitz bath - Add 5-6 drops in warm bath water and sit in it for about 10-15 minutes. This method is helpful for external relief.
Aromatherapy - well, this won’t directly treat leucorrhoea. However, this will reduce stress and promote overall health.
Ladyfinger
Ladyfinger is also known as okra or ‘Bhindi’ in the Indian language. Though there is no such scientific evidence, yet it is known to be commonly used as a traditional remedy for leucorrhoea. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, especially vitamin C. This aids in a stronger immune system and better digestion.
Okra is also very popular for its slimy texture (from the inside). This is believed to help cleanse the vaginal area and reduce excessive discharge.
Ways of incorporation:
Okra as food - in India, ladyfinger dishes are a regular home meal (cooked with spices).
Okra water - cut 5-6 ladyfingers into small pieces. Boil them in 2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes until the texture is thick & slimy. After straining, drink twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar
ACV has an acidic nature and antimicrobial qualities. This reduces the growth of harmful bacteria causing infection. This way a correct pH balance is maintained and the vaginal area is protected.
How to attain its benefits?
Diluted wash - dilute 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in lukewarm water. Use this solution to gently rinse the vaginal area.
ACV bath - add 1 full cup of it in bathing water. Mix it well. Soak your body in it for at least 15 minutes.
Oral consumption
You can mix 1 tablespoon of it in warm water and drink it regularly. If someone does not like its taste, they can add honey to it for additional benefits.
Caution: The home remedies shared above are only helpful in the initial stage. Before adding these to your daily routine, once ask an expert if it is suitable to your body type and whether it goes with your current medications or not. Also, in case of severe symptoms, immediately see a doctor.
The Bottom Line
The females who are not aware of Leucorrhoea sometimes get confused if the vaginal discharge they are experiencing is normal or a serious condition. Therefore, to summarize it in short - vagina discharge is a way by which the vagina cleans itself. This is to maintain hygiene and pH balance. Thus, it is normal.
However, if it is accompanied by other signs like abdomen or back pain, weakness, bad smell, etc. then you need to consult a doctor. To treat it completely, it is important to manage its root cause. That’s what Ayurveda believes too. Before it affects your bone health and brings more complications to the body, consult an expert.
