Leucorrhoea involves a thick white or yellowish discharge from the vagina. While some vaginal discharge can be considered normal and simply helps to keep the interior of the vagina clean and moist, excessive or abnormal discharges may be a mark of an underlying health condition. Normal vaginal discharge is usually thin, clear or white and odourless, and becomes more fluid during the menstruation cycle. Leucorrhoea is often thicker, is sometimes malodorous, and typically occurs with other symptoms.
There is both physiological and pathological Leucorrhoea. Physiological Leucorrhoea is common during puberty, ovulation, pregnancy, and some after sexual arousal. Pathological Leucorrhoea may be caused by various causes that include –
In Ayurveda, Leucorrhoea is called Shweta Pradara. In simple terms, your body produces some clear discharge to clean and protect your vagina normally. But in Shweta Pradara, it becomes excessively thick and sticky, sometimes changing colour or emitting a foul smelling discharge.
In Ayurvedic terms, leucorrhoea means an imbalance of your internal energies (doshas), specifically Kapha dosha. This imbalance may be caused by poor digestion, stress, infections or improper lifestyle habits. Ayurveda believes that treating the underlying cause can bring back balance in your life and provide you much needed relief.
Ayurveda divides leucorrhoea (Pradara) into five types depending on the dominant dosha:
In Vataja Pradara, your discharge may be pink, dry and frothy. You may also feel pain if you have this kind of leucorrhoea.
This type occurs when your Pitta dosha is imbalanced. In this case, your discharge may be yellow, blue, black, or red and it generally causes a burning feeling as well.
In Kaphaja Pradara, your discharge can be pale or slimy and it may resemble wheat-washed water. You may also feel heavy and dull if you have this kind of leucorrhoea.
This is a mixed type of leucorrhoea in which all three doshas are disturbed. The discharge looks like a mix of honey and ghee and it may also smell very foul.
In this condition, you may experience very heavy menstrual bleeding rather than just vaginal discharge. It is considered a serious menstrual disorder.
Leucorrhoea, or vaginal discharge, is an unusual discharge from the vagina. This is caused by changes in the balance of bacteria or irritation in the area. Here are some common Leucorrhoea causes:
Your most obvious symptom is increased vaginal discharge. You may find your undergarments stay wet for a long time. This discharge may be thick, sticky, or cloudy instead of clear and thin. Some women say it also becomes white, yellowish or greenish. If you've seen these changes, your body is letting you know something is not right and that you need to pay attention to it.
Along with the unusual discharge, it may have a strong and foul odour. This odour is hard to conceal and could be embarrassing for you. It is usually indicative of a vaginal infection. In case you smell a persistent bad smell in your discharge, do not ignore it and call an Ayurvedic doctor right away.
Some women with leucorrhoea report constant itching and irritation in their private area. You may feel like scratching, which can worsen your discomfort. This can be frustrating and even disruptive to your everyday life or sleep.
You may also feel a burning sensation when you urinate. This can make urinating uncomfortable. The burning occurs because the irritated tissues become sensitive and inflamed, especially when they come in contact with your urine.
If you are suffering from leucorrhoea, you might experience mild or severe pain and cramping in your lower abdomen or pelvis. The pain may be dull and constant or sharp and intermittent. Some women also feel discomfort or pain when they engage in sexual activities.
The skin close to your vaginal opening and cervix can become reddish and swollen. Redness and other symptoms like discharge and itching could indicate that there is an infection down there that needs to be treated.
If you have been noticing the discharge for some time, you might start feeling tired and weak. Basically, with the discharge, your body also loses vital fluids and you may feel drained and tired. Many women say they feel weak or less energetic than before.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Leucorrhoea treatment in Ayurveda using evidence-based approaches. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Ayurveda treats Leucorrhoea with a holistic approach that aims to address the root cause, balance the energies of the body (doshas), build up the immune system, and promote overall reproductive health. Treatment in Ayurveda involves symptom alleviation, prevention of recurrence, and improvement of overall well-being.
Lodhra is one of the most useful herbs for women's health. It balances your Kapha and Pitta doshas and reduces abnormal vaginal discharge. It also speeds up the wound healing of your vaginal tissues. Lodhra possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent future infections and control irritation. It also stops the growth of pathogens like E. coli and Micrococcus pyogenes. As per your Ayurvedic doctor’s advice, you can take lodhra powder with plain water or rice water.
Mustak has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and pain relief qualities. It calms your irritation and decreases itching around your vaginal area.You can mix mustak bark with milk to get relief from menstrual irregularities and vaginal infections. It also helps with any discomfort you may face with leucorrhoea.
Yashtimadhu is a renowned herb in Ayurveda, which is used to treat hormonal imbalances. These roots contain natural phytoestrogens that stabilise your hormones. When you regularly consume mulethi tea prepared by boiling its roots, it can curb excessive vaginal discharge, mood swings, hot flashes and other menstrual disturbances in your body.
Known as tree turmeric, daruharidra is an astringent that helps control your excessive discharge. It balances your Kapha and aids in digestion (which is generally a factor in vaginal health). You can drink a decoction of daruharidra bark to relieve constipation and indigestion, two conditions that commonly worsen leucorrhoea symptoms.
Amalaki is full of vitamin C and used in Ayurveda for building immunity. Amla's strong cleansing and antimicrobial action kills vaginal infections - the most common cause of leucorrhoea. It also improves digestion, reduces internal bleeding and decreases pain from vaginal infections. It is also a general health tonic, boosting your energy and restoring your health. Amalaki powder can be taken with honey once daily or as directed by your Ayurvedic doctor.
A lesser known but effective Ayurvedic herb, chopchini also acts well on infections. It's an antibacterial and antibiotic agent and cleanses the body of impurities. Chopchini is also an astringent substance that helps repair vaginal mucous membranes. Take chopchini churna with water but follow your doctor's advice for proper dosage.
Ashoka is an Ayurvedic herb used for supporting women's reproductive health. It balances your hormones and strengthens your uterus. If you experience irregular periods or excessive white discharge, Ashoka can be good for you. It also reduces abdominal pain and discomfort due to leucorrhoea.
Shatavari is a refreshing herb for women. It balances your hormones and supports female reproductive health. If you have leucorrhoea caused by hormonal imbalances, Shatavari can regulate your discharge and improve vitality.
Guduchi or Giloy is an immune-boosting herb. It fights off infections which can cause leucorrhoea. Guduchi also reduces the frequency and severity of abnormal vaginal discharge by strengthening your immune system from within.
Manjistha is believed to purify your blood. It detoxifies your body and treats skin and gynecological disorders. If your leucorrhoea is accompanied by skin irritation or inflammation, Manjistha can be good for you.
As we all know, Neem has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It helps to clear infections that can cause leucorrhoea. Neem can provide you relief from itching, irritation, and bad-smelling discharge, and improve your complete vaginal health.
Majuphal or Manjakani is traditionally used in Ayurveda for controlling vaginal discharge and related postpartum infections. It restores elasticity to your uterus wall and is helpful for postpartum women.
Jiva’s evidence-based Ayurveda treatment philosophy focuses on eliminating the root cause of Leucorrhoea and at the same time, balances the three main governing energies of the human body—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha alongside restoring a sense of balance within the mind, the body and the spirit.
Additionally, in Ayurveda, Leucorrhoea is most often related with Kapha, controlling all body fluids and mucus as well as Pitta which governs metabolism and transformative energy. Other reasons may be improper nutrition, bad hygiene, low immunity, and even hormonal issues.
To provide total relief, Jiva's Advanced Ayurvedic Treatments use HACCP certified Ayurvedic medicines that are specially prepared for Leucorrhoea and are personalised as per the patient, along with a variety of traditional Ayurvedic therapies, yoga and meditation practices, counseling related to lifestyle and dietary management to achieve the best results.
Some commonly used Ayurvedic medicines that are noted to be highly effective in the treatment of Leucorrhoea are mentioned below:
It should be noted that apart from prescribing ayurvedic medicines, a certified Ayurveda doctor may also recommend time-tested Ayurvedic therapies using herbal decoctions and specific dietary and lifestyle modifications.
In Ayurveda, diet and lifestyle play a vital role in maintaining reproductive health and preventing Leucorrhoea. For effective management of Leucorrhoea, consider incorporating the following in your routine:
No, some vaginal discharges are usually normal and healthy while others can be classified as abnormal.
It is recommended to seek medical attention if the discharge is heavy, has an offensive smell, is accompanied by itching, burning, or pelvic pain, or if there is a suspicion of a sexually transmitted infection.
Untreated Leucorrhoea caused by an infection can potentially affect fertility.
Although stress may not directly cause Leucorrhoea, it can weaken the immune system, which increases susceptibility to infections that may cause this condition.
Diagnosis usually involves a pelvic examination, evaluation of the discharge, and other tests to establish the underlying cause.
Ayurveda can be very effective in the management of Leucorrhoea as well as treating its underlying causes.
In Ayurveda, Leucorrhoea is known as Shweta Pradara, which is mainly attributed to an imbalance of the Kapha dosha that deals with bodily fluids. Excessive Kapha dosha combined with low Agni or digestive fire and vitiated Vata and Pitta may cause an excessive abnormal vaginal discharge. The imbalance may be due to improper diet, poor hygiene, suppression of natural urges, and emotional stress.
Ayurvedic herbs that are in common use for the treatment of Leucorrhoea comprise Ashoka (Saraca asoca), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and Triphala among others.
