What Is Leukorrhea: Leukorrhea Definition
Leukorrhea, sometimes spelt as leucorrhea is the issue of yellowish, whitish, or greenish discharge from the vagina. Generally, white discharge from the female vagina is a common problem but it may be the sign of infection of the vagina and females should not ignore it. Here in this article, all the details of leukorrhea are given like what is leukorrhea, causes of leukorrhea, and answers to questions that you have in your mind regarding vaginal leukorrhea like leukorrhea are associated with which of the following conditions. Let’s first understand the leukorrhea definition before getting into the leukorrhea causes.
Issues and Reasons for Vaginal Discharge
Many females are generally facing the issue of vaginal discharge. Ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, or cervix may be one of the reasons for discharge. Furthermore, discharge is normal till it is mild, white, thin, and odourless. Well, females or even girls have this discharge issue before several days of menses and mostly during pregnancy. In a newborn baby, vaginal discharge can be seen lasting to two months. Moreover, the definition of leukorrhea may change from female to female depending upon the causes of leukorrhea like hormones or infection. In some cases, it disappears and reappears from time to time. When the vaginal discharge is heavy, it causes infection and results in green or yellow and has odour. The heavy discharge also causes tissue inflammation, pain, irritation, and itching.
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Leukorrhea Definition: How To Know
Generally, discharge of the female vagina is the sign of a healthy vagina. In the female body, mucus-like structures produce fluid in the vagina to keep it clean and moist. Well, the vaginal liquid is good if it is odourless and thin but you should concern health experts if the flow of discharge varies frequently with odour and itching. To diagnose leukorrhea, the discharge of the vagina should be examined under the microscope. Vaginal discharge should be less than 10 WBC, if it is more than 10 WBC then it is leukorrhea.
Causes Of Leukorrhea: Leukorrhea is Associated With Which of the Following Conditions
Discharge of the vagina is caused due to various factors like pregnancy, infections, hormones, and menstrual cycle. Well, females face more discharge flow during pregnancy, and women who are older may face dryness in the vaginal area. As females become older, there is less shifting of estrogen and perhaps no longer ovulation because of menopause, perimenopause, or post-menopause. In addition, abnormal leukorrhea causes infections with yeast, bacteria, or other microorganisms. Sometimes people think leukorrhea is associated with which of the following conditions? So, we can say that it is cervicitis. Even sexually transmitted microorganisms can cause leucorrhea and many diseases including chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Such diseases cause cervix infection, known as the most common gynaecological health issue. Cervix mucus glands are affected by infection and cause itching and irritation. So, glands produce excess mucus with pus. Infection of the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis, and fungus Candida Albicans. Well, a long time of presence of diaphragm, tampon, or various foreign objects can cause leucorrhea.
Fun Facts
Douching is the process of washing and cleaning the vagina but do you know that douching may cause leucorrhea. Experts examine that cleaning the vagina with water and liquids to remove bacteria and other microorganisms disturbs the normal condition of vaginal bacteria and moisture of the female vagina. So, experts never recommend douching as the treatment of leukorrhea.
Vaginal discharge is not always harmful. Know the difference between good and harmful vaginal discharge.
Healthy Vaginal Discharge
Whitish colour and clear
No strong smell of the discharge
Leave yellowish marks on underwear
Harmful Vaginal Discharge
Gray, yellow or green
Consistency changes
Cause vaginal itchiness
Looks frothy and foamy
Leukorrhea Treatment
Normal leukorrhea is good but abnormal leukorrhea is harmful. You should visit your nearby clinic or hospital once you feel changes in vaginal discharge. Leukorrhea treatment includes many tests and examinations as it can be caused due to any reason. No single reason can determine the vaginal discharge leukorrhea causes. A doctor will find out the cause and reason behind bad vaginal discharge to provide proper treatment to the leucorrhea patient. So, treatment and examinations may vary from female to female. You should explain your problems clearly to the doctor regarding vaginal discharge. It will help the doctor in further treatment. The doctor may recommend you some tests according to the symptoms of vaginal discharge. Various tests may include PH tests, physical exams, pap smears, samples reviewed under a microscope.
Never take the medicine from any medical shop or any non-medical person. Treatment of leucorrhea is effective only when it is prescribed by an expert, gynaecologist, or doctor after examining symptoms of leukorrhea discharge. If it is caused by a fungal infection, the doctor will prescribe a pill or cream-formed antifungal medicine. Antibiotics are prescribed in the situation of sexually transmitted diseases.
FAQs on Leukorrhea
1. What exactly is leukorrhea as discussed in Biology?
Leukorrhea is a medical term for vaginal discharge. It can be a completely normal and healthy bodily function, referred to as physiological leukorrhea, where the discharge is typically thin, clear or milky-white, and odourless. However, it can also be a symptom of an underlying infection or disease, known as pathological leukorrhea, which is characterized by changes in colour, consistency, or smell.
2. What are the common causes of leukorrhea?
The causes of leukorrhea can be divided into two main categories:
- Physiological Causes: These are related to normal hormonal fluctuations and include puberty, the regular menstrual cycle, sexual excitement, and pregnancy. In these cases, the discharge helps to clean and moisten the vagina.
- Pathological Causes: These are due to infections. Common causes include yeast infections (Candidiasis), bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhoea.
3. How can one differentiate between normal leukorrhea and an abnormal discharge that needs medical attention?
You can often differentiate between normal and abnormal leukorrhea by observing its characteristics. Normal discharge is typically clear, white, or off-white, has a thin consistency, and is odourless. In contrast, you should consult a doctor if the discharge is yellow, green, or grey, has a thick, clumpy, or frothy texture, is accompanied by a foul or fishy odour, or causes symptoms like vaginal itching, burning, or redness.
4. Why is physiological leukorrhea often more noticeable during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the body produces significantly higher levels of the hormone estrogen. This increases blood flow to the pelvic area and stimulates the mucous membranes of the vagina to produce more discharge. This increased discharge is a natural protective mechanism that helps to prevent infections from travelling from the vagina up to the womb, thereby safeguarding the developing fetus.
5. What is the connection between leukorrhea and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) as per the CBSE syllabus?
As per the Class 12 chapter on Reproductive Health, abnormal leukorrhea is a key symptom of many Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs). For instance, a greenish-yellow, frothy discharge is a classic sign of Trichomoniasis. Similarly, bacterial and yeast infections cause distinct changes in discharge. Recognizing abnormal leukorrhea is crucial for the early diagnosis and treatment of RTIs, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), ectopic pregnancies, and infertility.
6. Can lifestyle habits like douching affect leukorrhea?
Yes, certain lifestyle habits can negatively impact vaginal health. Douching, which is the practice of washing out the inside of the vagina with water or other fluids, is strongly discouraged. It disrupts the natural balance of healthy bacteria and the vagina's normal pH level. This can kill beneficial bacteria, making the vagina more susceptible to infections that cause pathological leukorrhea.
7. How is the underlying cause of abnormal leukorrhea typically diagnosed and treated?
To diagnose the cause of abnormal leukorrhea, a doctor will typically perform a pelvic exam and may take a sample of the vaginal discharge. This sample is then examined under a microscope or sent for a culture to identify the specific microorganism. Treatment is targeted to the cause: antifungal medications are prescribed for yeast infections, while antibiotics are used for bacterial infections or sexually transmitted infections.
