WHAT IS VAGINAL DISCHARGE?

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Normal vaginal discharge is also known as leucorrhoea is thin, small in quantity, white/ transparent/ translucent, odorless (or occasional slight odor) discharge which is nothing but secretions of the genital organs of a female which keeps the vaginal area clean, moist, and fights infection.

Normal vaginal discharge may vary through the menstrual cycle of the female but any change in color (greenish, grayish, pus like, yellowish), odor (unpleasant), texture, with itching, redness, burning of vagina, blood tinged discharge is not normal vaginal discharge and on appearance should be treated.

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COMMON CAUSES OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE ARE:

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1. PHYSIOLOGICAL (leucorrhoea)- normal vaginal discharge

Prepubertal– postnatal

                   – premenarchal

Reproductive life– mid cycle

                           – premenstrual

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2.   INFECTIONS (sexually transmitted)-

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Prepubertal– N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, HSV, Condyloma acuminata.

Reproductive life– Trichomonas vaginalis, Bacterial vaginosis, N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, HSV, Condyloma acuminata, Genital ulcers.

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3. NON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS-

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Prepubertal- Entrobius vermicularis, Shigellosis, Mixed enteric organisms, Streptococcal and staphylococcus, Candidiasis.

Reproductive life– Candidiasis, PID, Tubo-ovarian abscess, Septic abortion, Puerperal sepsis.

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4. POSTOPERATIVE-

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Reproductive life– Cryotherapy, Uterine artery embolism.

Postmenopausal- Post hysterectomy vault sepsis.

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5. MALIGNANCY OF THE GENITAL TRACT-

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Prepubertal- Vaginal adenosis

Reproductive life– Cervical cancer

Postmenopausal- Cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, Vaginal cancer, Vulval cancer, Fallopian tube cancer.

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6. ATROPHIC VAGINITIS-

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Reproductive life– Following castration/ premature ovarian failure, Post partum atrophic vaginitis due to estrogen deficiency secondary to prolactin excess.

Postmenopausal- estrogen deficiency

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7. PYOMETRA (pus accumulation in uterus)-

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Reproductive life– Endometritis, Cervical stenosis, Endometrial tuberculosis.

Postmenopausal– Senile endometritis, Endometrial or cervical cancer

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8. MISCELLANEOUS-

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Prepubertal- Ectopic ureter, Fistula, Meningocele.

Reproductive life– Fibroid polyp, Vulval dystrophy, post radiation

Postmenopausal- Vulval dystrophy, post radiation

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9. FOREIGN BODY, ALLERY, CHEMICAL IRRITANTS may also cause vaginal discharge.

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HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE

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Kreasote-

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Vaginal discharge profuse watery, sometimes yellowish with acridity; excoriating the parts which come in contact with the discharge

Vaginal discharge causes soreness and smarting and red spots and itching on the vulva, always with great debility; leucorrhoea preceding menses.

It is so acrid that it causes the pudenda and thighs to swell and itch.

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Nitric acid-

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Corrosive, greenish, foetid, obstinate leucorrhoea; the presence of fig warts and condylomata

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Platinum-

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Periodical, thin watery leucorrhoea with very sensitive organs. Albuminous leucorrhoea in the daytime. Sensitiveness go vagina would cause increased sexual desire in woman.

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Iodine-

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acrid, corrosive leucorrhoea accompanied by right ovarian inflammation.

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Borax-

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clear, copious and albuminous leucorrhoea having an unnatural heat to it. Leucorrhoea midway between menses with great nervousness, white as starch, perfectly bland without pain.

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Graphites-

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profuse, very thin, white mucus, occurs in gushes, leucorrhoea associated with pains in the lower abdomen and weakness of back in pale young girls. Leucorrhoea more profuse in morning when rising.

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Alumina-

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Leucorrhoea transparent or of yellow mucus, very profuse and ropy, greatly exhausting, as it is very rich in albumen, occurs chiefly in the daytime.

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Calcarea carbonica-

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leucorrhoea is profuse, milky, persistent or yellow and accompanied by itching and burning. It suits leucorrhoea in infants and young girls often recurring before puberty, leucorrhoea before menses or in recurring attacks between the menses.

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Caulophyllum

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leucorrhoea in little girls which is very profuse and weakens the child very much.

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Pulsatilla

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milky leucorrhoea which becomes watery, acrid and burning from being retained in the vagina. It is a mucous, thick, creamy, white leucorrhoea sometimes replacing menses, with chilliness, disposition to lie down and lowness of spirits.

Weeping is marked.

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Sepia

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leucorrhoea of yellowish green color, slightly offensive and often excoriating. It is milky, worse before menses with bearing down; there are pains in the abdomen and pruritus.

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Lilium tigrinum

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excoriating, watery, yellowish or yellowish brown leucorrhoea, which is profuse and is accompanied by bearing down in pelvic region.

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Hydrastis

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tenacious, thick, ropy leucorrhoea with erosion of the cervix, leucorrhoea which is profuse and debilitating

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Kali bichromicum

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yellow, ropy, stringy leucorrhoea.

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Mercurius-

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Acrid excoriating leucorrhoea smarting and burning, swelling of external genital organs.

Purulent greenish yellow leucorrhoea worse at night; heat

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Secale-

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Brownish and offensive leucorrhoea

There are many more medicines of vaginal discharge in homoeopathy and medicine can be selected only after thorough case taking and individuality of the case.

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MANAGEMENT OF THE CASE WITH VAGINAL DISCHAGE-

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1. Educate the patient.
2. Counsel the patient.
3. Ask patient to maintain hygiene.
4. Advice patient to wear cotton and loose fitting undergarments.
5. Proper whipping technique of the parts.
6. Keep the area dry.
7. Treat with applicable medicine.

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