FEMALE GENTILE PROBLEMS (Page 3 of 4)

Leucorrhoea (Wites)

Leucorrhoea is secretion of excessive white discharge through the vagina. Normally an increased secretion is observed during the mid-cycle i.e at about 12th-15th day after the menses & lasts for 3-4 days. This is a normal phenomenon & does not need to be treated if it causes no symptoms like itching of the private parts or burning while passing urine. However if symptoms are present or if the discharge continues longer than normal it needs to be treated. In virgins, the cause is usually poor personal hygiene. In sexually active women, it could be due to a fungal infection acquired during intercourse, any uterine, cervical or vaginal infection, retained contraceptives, tampons, any local applications, general ill-health, diseases like diabetes & uncommonly form uterine diseases like fibroids(discussed below). Thorough history & examination is a must to trace the cause before treatment can begin. This is an absolutely curable condition with no serious implications for the future.

Symptoms of Leucorrhoea:

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are tumours or growths, made up of muscle cells and other tissues that grow within the wall of the uterus (or womb). Although fibroids are sometimes called tumours, they are almost always benign (not cancerous). The medical term for fibroids is uterine leiomyomata.

Fibroids can grow as a single growth or in clusters (or groups). Their size can vary from small, like an apple seed (or less than one inch), to even larger than a grapefruit, or eight inches across or more.

Why should women know about fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are the most common, benign tumours in women of childbearing age, but no one knows exactly what causes them. They can be frustrating to live with when they cause symptoms. Not all women with fibroids have symptoms, but some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Fibroids also can put pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Sterility

Sterility in case of the female refers to the incapacity to conceive and give birth to a living baby. Sterility or failure to reproduce must be distinguished from frigidity which denotes failure to perform the sex act or performing it imperfectly.

It may be relevant to first examine the mechanism of conception. The sperms of the male are injected into the vagina during sexual intercourse. At the very same time an alkaline fluid is secreted from the vaginal walls. The sperms are able to move up the womb and through the fallopian tubes to fertilise the ova or the female egg only when this fluid is present.

Two factors are important in ensuring a normal secretion of this fluid. Firstly, there should be an adequate nerve supply to the vagina ducts. This is the reason why very nervous women fail to conceive. The nervous system in such cases must be strengthened by adequate rest, relaxation and a proper diet The second important factor is to ensure that the fluid flowing from the vaginal walls is alkaline. If this is not so, the sperms are destroyed by the acidic fluid, usually present in the vaginal canal and womb. To ensure the necessary alkalinity of the fluid, it is essential to take a predominantly alkaline diet, with a liberal intake of raw vegetables and fruits, and also to eliminate acid-forming foods.

Causes:

Sterility in a female may be due to physical defects, physical debility and functional faults. Physical defects or structural abnormalities of the genitals and reproductive organs may be congenital or accidental and can result from malformation or sagging of the womb, collapse of the fallopian tubes and the rigidity of the hymen.