Vaginal Discharge, medically known as Leucorrhea refers to the fluid naturally secreting from the vagina. Some amount of this fluid is secreted daily that keeps the vagina lubricated, cleans away the dead cells and protects against infection. Vaginal discharge is mostly normal and under those circumstances it can be fluid, whitish or clear watery, sticky and varies in amount depending on the time of the menstrual cycle. But vaginal discharge if accompanied by foul odour, itching, burning sensation, pain or has changed color and consistency, it may be due to some underlying health conditions like a vaginal infection. In such cases, medical help is required to rule out the causes and begin the treatment.
Homeopathy offers a very natural, safe, and effective cure for cases of leucorrhea. These medicines reduce the vaginal discharges along with managing accompanying symptoms such as itching, burning sensation in the vagina, pain in the lower abdomen and pain during urination. These remedies work wonderfully in both acute and chronic cases of leucorrhea. Conventional medicine mainly recommends uses of antibiotics for treating such cases that offer short-term relief and also have side effects. Homeopathic medicines ensures long-term relief and provides cure by working on the underlying causes with no adverse effects and also reduces dependency on antibiotics.
Homeopathy addresses the root cause
Since leucorrhea can arise due to multiple causes, homeopathy offers excellent results in such cases by treating the root cause. Homeopathic medicines boost body’s self-healing process to fight the cause and thus provides wonderful results. The moment the root cause is addressed, symptomatic relief sets in, and the recovery becomes complete and permanent.
Individualized treatment
Homeopathy offers individualized treatment rather than providing generalized medicines in all the cases of leucorrhea. This means that the homeopathic remedy in every case of leucorrhea is administered individually for each case and not every individual is prescribed the same remedy. Homeopathic medicine is finalized after taking into consideration the characteristic symptoms of every individual. Such well-administered individualized medication leads to best recoveries. Other factors such as the age of the patient, how chronic the complaint is and intensity of the symptoms is also taken into consideration while finalizing the potency, dosage and repetition of the medicine that has been prescribed.
Non-Habit Forming and Free Of Side Effects
One of the main advantages of homeopathy is that it prescribes medicines prepared from natural and highly diluted substances. The homeopathic medicines for leucorrhea are also of natural origin and thus do not have any sort of side effects. They treat leucorrhea in the most harmless and gentle manner possible. Once the desired result is achieved, one can easily stop the use of these medicines after consulting a qualified homoeopath as these medicines are non-habit forming unlike the conventional medicines.
Top 12 Homeopathic Remedies for Leucorrhea
The medicines that top the list for treatment of leucorrhea are Sepia Officinalis, Pulsatilla Nigricans, Natrum Muriaticum, Kreosotum, Alumina, Borax Veneta, Conium Maculatum, Hydrastis Canadensis, Kali Carbonicum, Calcarea Carbonica, Mercurius Solubilis and Sabina Officinalis.
1. Sepia Officinalis– Top Grade Medicine For Leucorrhea
Sepia is the top medicine naturally obtained to treat Leucorrhea when the vaginal discharge is yellowish green in color or is milky white and passes in large lumps. In some of the cases it may even be blood stained. The discharge smells foul and is accompanied by excessive vaginal itching. Burning sensation is also felt in the vagina. Intercourse becomes very painful. Vaginal discharge is particularly profuse after urination. It aggravates before and after menses. Pelvic pain and bearing down sensation in the pelvis as if pelvic organs would come out from vulva is marked. Sepia Officinalis also specifically administered for foul vaginal discharge in case of the gonorrhoea infection. Those who require this medicine usually suffer from menstrual irregularities of various kinds. Sepia is the top natural medicine to treat Leucorrhea mainly among women at the menopausal age with excessive hot flushes, perspiration, and weakness.
When to use Sepia Officinalis?
The use of Sepia is highly recommended to manage yellowish/milky white vaginal discharge along with itching, burning sensation, foul smell and sometimes pelvic pain.
How to use Sepia Officinalis?
One may administer this medicine in 30 C potency once or twice a day. To use high potencies like 200C, one needs to consult a qualified homeopath.
2. Pulsatilla Nigricans– For Leucorrhea That Is Milky White or Creamy
Pulsatilla Nigricans is very beneficial medicine prepared from natural substances for vaginal discharge that is milky white in color or creamy. It is very thick and the discharge aggravates if one lies down. It causes itching and burning sensation in the vagina. It is also well administered when vaginal discharge is accompanied by backache and weakness. Pulsatilla is also administered for gonorrhoea with thick mucus discharge that is milky white in colour.
When to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
Pulsatilla should be the first choice of medicine to manage milky white or creamy leucorrhea that worsens when one lies down.
How to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
It works wonderfully in 30C potency that can be administered twice a day.
3. Natrum Muriaticum – For Acrid, Watery Transparent Vaginal Discharge
Natrum Muriaticum is usually administered for vaginal discharge that is watery transparent and acrid. It is very profuse and accompanied by weakness. Abdomen pain and bearing down pains may be other symptoms. Itching in vagina may happen too. Besides, it can also be used when thick white vaginal discharge is observed in place of menses.
When to use Natrum Muriaticum?
Natrum Muriaticum is the best medicine to manage vaginal discharges that are watery and transparent and can be accompanied by abdomen pain.
How to use Natrum Muriaticum?
In most of the cases, this medicine is used in 6X (biochemic) potency that can be administered two to three times daily.
4. Kreosotum – For Offensive Vaginal Discharge With Violent Itching
Kreosotum is the best medicine for vaginal discharge with violent itching in genitals. The vaginal discharge is yellowish leaving a yellow stain on the linen. The discharge is very foul smelling. The condition worsens between the periods. Standing and walking makes aggravates the discharge and the patient feels better while sitting or lying down. Intense pain is felt during intercourse. Pain is also felt at the time of urination. This medicine is highly recommended for vaginitis cases.
When to use Kreosotum?
Kreosotum is most suitable for cases of leucorrhea who report severe itching, foul smell and if the discharge leaves a yellowish stain on linen.
How to use Kreosotum?
Kreosotum should be administered in 30C potency one to two times daily for best possible results.
5. Alumina – For Profuse Vaginal Discharge With Intense Burning
Alumina is another wonderful remedy that brings about very positive results in case of profuse vaginal discharge with intense burning. The discharge is profuse and could even run down till the heels. The discharge is transparent, may be ropy as well. Itching is also felt in the genitals. Washing the private parts with cold water helps relieve the symptoms. Vaginal discharge aggravates during the day and after menses, and the patient is mentally and physically exhausted after menses. Alumina also helps patients who suffer from chronic constipation and go without passing stool for several days.
When to use Alumina?
Alumina is a highly recommended medicine to manage vaginal discharges that are profuse and accompanied by intense burning.
How to use Alumina?
In the beginning, its use is suggested in 30C potency and can be repeated two times a day. Its higher potencies are also available but these potencies are not to be repeated often enough.
6. Borax Veneta – For Egg White Like Vaginal Discharge
Borax is an ideal remedy where the vaginal discharge is like the white of an egg. It is accompanied by a feeling as if warm water is flowing. Such a discharge aggravates for two weeks between the two menstrual cycles. Swelling of labia may be an accompanying factor.
When to use Borax Veneta?
This medicine can be prescribed to treat leucorrhea that resembles the white of an egg and worsens for two weeks between periods.
How to use Borax Veneta?
Borax should be administered in 30C potency one or two times daily.
7. Conium Maculatum – For Leucorrhea With Pain In Lower Abdomen (Pelvic Pain)
Though Sepia is the most important medicine for vaginal discharge with pelvic pain, Conium Maculatum is also administered to manage it. Conium can be used when the discharge is whitish or yellowish. It is accompanied by griping, pinching or labor-like pains in the abdomen. Burning sensation is felt in the vagina. Lower back feels weak.
When to use Conium Maculatum?
Conium is administered for managing vaginal discharge either whitish or yellowish accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.
How to use Conium Maculatum?
It can be administered in both low and high potencies, the most preferred being 30 C potency that can be ingested one to two times daily depending on the severity of the complaint.
8. Hydrastis Canadensis– For Thick Yellow, Ropy Vaginal Discharge
Hydrastis Canadensis works wonders in cases of vaginal discharge that is yellowish, thick and ropy and hangs down in long strings. Excessive vaginal itching is always felt. The discharge aggravates immediately after menses accompanied by a lot of weakness. During the intercourse, soreness is felt in the vagina, which may result in the bleeding of vagina.
When to use Hydrastis Canadensis?
This medicine should be used in cases of vaginal discharges that are thick, yellowish and ropy and aggravate after menses.
How to use Hydrastis Canadensis?
Both the lower and the highest potencies of this medicine are effective. It can be initiated in 30 C potency up to twice daily but not more than that.
9. Kali Carbonicum– For Vaginal Discharge Accompanied by Backache
Kali Carb is an ideal medicine for patients who feel a sharp, cutting pain in the lower back with a feeling as if the back would break. The vaginal discharge is yellowish accompanied by burning sensation and itching in the vulva. Relief sets in upon washing. It is also administered in leucorrhea with labor-like pains.
When to use Kali Carbonicum?
Kali Carb is indicated for cases of leucorrhea when lower backache accompanies vaginal discharge.
How to use Kali Carbonicum?
It can be used in 30C potency one or two times daily.
10. Calcarea Carbonica- For Thick, Milky Leucorrhea
Calcarea Carbonica is an effective remedy for vaginal discharge with itching and burning sensation in the genitals. The discharge is thick, milky, gushing or yellow and worsens during urination. There is excessive sweating about the genitals. Vaginal discharge aggravates before menses.
When to use Calcarea Carbonica?
Calcarea Carbonica is suitable in cases of leucorrhea where the discharge is thick, milky or yellowish with itching, or burning sensation and sweat about the genitals.
How to use Calcarea Carbonica?
Calcarea Carbonica can be administered once a day in 3x or 30 C potency. Higher potencies should be used only after consulting a qualified homeopath.
11. Mercurius Solubilis- For Leucorrhea in Little Girls
Mercurius Solubilis is the best remedy when the vaginal discharge is present in small girls along with weakness. The discharge is thick, whitish with itching felt in the genitals and it gets worse during urination and upon washing with cold water. The vaginal discharge can be greenish and bloody also. The genitals feel raw and sore. Burning, throbbing and itching of vagina is present.
When to use Mercurius Solubilis?
Mercurius solubilis is administered when the vagina feels sore, raw, and itchy due to leucorrhea. It is also indicated when leucorrhea is present in small girls.
How to use Mercurius Solubilis?
Mercurius solubilis can be prescribed in 30CH potency, one to two times daily. The higher potencies are also beneficial.
12. Sabina Officinalis- For Thick, Yellow Offensive Leucorrhea
Sabina Officinalis is also one of the well administered medicines in cases of leucorrhea. The vaginal discharge is acrid, foul, thick and yellowish. The vaginal discharge is usually spotted after menses, post-abortion or due to hormonal imbalance. Leucorrhea may be present from suppressed menses or copious menses. Shooting pain travels up the vagina.
When to use Sabina Officinalis?
Sabina can be administered in cases of vaginal discharge where it is foul-smelling, thick, acrid, and yellowish.
How to use Sabina Officinalis?
Sabina should be administered in 30 C potency, once daily. Higher potencies should only be used after consulting a qualified homeopath.
Different Colors And Consistency Of Vaginal Discharge – What’s Normal And What’s Not?
The color of discharge may indicate the cause behind it:
1. Clear watery discharge: It usually occurs physiologically (under normal healthy conditions) and often does not indicate any infection or other pathology if it is the only symptom. It commonly occurs around ovulation (the process of releasing egg from ovary). It is also noticed during sexual arousal or during pregnancy.
2. A whitish discharge without any odor: It is usually observed at the beginning or end of the menstrual cycle.
3. A thick whitish cheesy discharge: It might indicate a yeast infection.
Agray, whitish or yellowish, discharge having fish-like smell is seen mainly in bacterial vaginosis.
4. Yellowish or greenish discharge: It often points towards a sexually transmitted infection.
5. Pink-colored discharge: It may be due to Lochia (vaginal discharge among women after childbirth), cervical bleeding, implantation bleeding (slight spotting of blood after around 14 days of conception), vaginal irritation.
6. Red (bloody) or brown color discharge may happen during or soon after menstrual cycle, irregular menses, cervical infection/polyp, cancer of cervix/endometrium in rare cases. Such spotting during early pregnancy may indicate miscarriage.
Different Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
1. Vaginal yeast infection: Also termed as vaginal candidiasis, it refers to a fungal infection of the vagina. It causes a thick whitish vaginal discharge having cottage cheese-like appearance. It is often accompanied by itching and burning sensation in the vagina.
2. Bacterial vaginosis: It refers to vaginal inflammation arising from an overgrowth of bacteria that normally reside in the vagina. It causes vaginal discharge that smells foul, to be more specific fish-like in odor. The discharge can be greyish, whitish or yellowish.
3. Sexually transmitted infections:
a. Chlamydia trachomatis: This STD is caused by a bacteria which causes vaginal discharge, painful urination, itching or burning sensation in the vagina and also results in painful intercourse.
b. Gonorrhea: Caused by bacteria neisseria gonorrhoeae, it leads to profuse vaginal discharge that may be whitish, yellowish or greenish; pelvic pain, pain during urination and vaginal bleeding between periods is an accompanying factor.
c. Trichomoniasis: It is caused by parasite trichomonas vaginalis. It causes foul-smelling vaginal discharge – yellowish/greenish grey or white-colored, accompanied by itching/burning sensation in vagina, pain while urinating or intercourse.
d. Genital herpes: It is caused by herpes simplex virus. It causes sores on genital areas that can be accompanied by vaginal discharge which is thick with foul smell and painful urination.
4. Vaginitis (inflammation of vagina) and cervicitis (inflammation of cervix)
5. Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID): It is an infection of the female reproductive system and can affect the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and uterus. It causes lower abdomen pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge usually yellowish or greenish, painful urine, painful sex, irregular periods, fever, and chills.
6. Use of antibiotics or steroids or birth control pills
7. Retained tampon – a menstrual product inserted in vagina to absorb blood and vaginal secretions during periods.
8. Douching (washing the vagina with water or mixture of fluids) or using scented soaps, bubble baths.
9. Post-surgery pelvic infection.
10. If one has diabetes also raises risk.
11. Vaginal atrophy – thinning and drying of the vaginal lining. It is noted usually during menopause.
12. Vaginal fistula.
13. Rarely cancer of cervix or vagina.
What Other Signs and Symptoms Can Attend Vaginal Discharge?
1. Depending on the cause behind vaginal discharge following signs and symptoms may occur:
2. Itching in vagina
3. Inflammation, redness, or burning in vagina or vulva
4. Pelvic pain/lower abdomen pain
5. Inter-menstrual bleeding
6. Pain while urinating
7. Painful intercourse
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is leucorrhea normal?
Yes, mild, odorless and non-itchy discharge is normal around ovulation, before the periods, during the pregnancy and when hormonal changes occur.
2. When should I worry about my leucorrhea?
Consult your physician if it is extremely foul-smelling, itchy, thick, greenish, curdy or associated with pain or burning sensation.
3. Is blood in leucorrhea normal?
No, blood in vaginal discharge is not normal, it should be immediately examined.
4. Can leucorrhea cause weakness?
Yes. Chronic leucorrhea can cause: Weakness, backache, extreme fatigue, irritability and anemia in chronic cases.
5. Are there any special tests for leucorrhea?
No, there are no specific tests but diagnosis of leucorrhea is based on clinical examination, vaginal swab test, urine test and some times ultrasound or pap smear.
6. What lifestyle changes can I opt to prevent leucorrhea?
Few lifestyle changes that are helpful in preventing and managing leucorrhea are- keeping genital area dry and clean, avoiding tight or synthetic underwears, avoiding scented soaps, douching, sprays, wearing cotton underwear, controlling sugar levels and eating probiotic-rich foods (curd, yogurt).
7. Is leucorrhea contagious?
If leucorrhea is caused by infection or STD, it can be transmitted to partner.
8. Can PCOS also lead to leucorrhea?
Yes. Hormonal imbalance, PCOS, thyroid issues can contribute to leucorrhea.
9. Can leucorrhea occur in pregnancy?
Yes. Mild discharge is normal in pregnancy, foul-smelling or itchy discharge is not normal and should be checked.
10. Can leucorrhea cause burning sensation while urinating?
Yes, especially if infection spreads to urinary tract or causes irritation.
11. Can excessive washing make leucorrhea worse?
Yes. Too much washing and douching disturbs vaginal flora and increase infections.
12. Is leucorrhea common among the diabetics?
Yes. Diabetics are more prone to fungal infections.
13. How can homeopathy help?
Homeopathy helps by addressing the root cause. The symptoms of leucorrhea get better gradually as the underlying cause gets treated simultaneously.
14. Can homeopathy be administered with allopathic medicines?
Yes. It can be taken alongside other treatments if needed.
15. Can homeopathy stop recurrence?
Yes, by treating the root cause, leucorrhea gets cured permanently.
16. Should I use intimate area wash for leucorrhea?
No. The vagina is cleans itself naturally. In most cases, plain water is enough. Some intimate wash and soaps can disturb natural vaginal pH and kill good bacteria.