Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea)

Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea)

Introduction

Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea) is a medical condition where women experiences thick whitish or yellowish colour discharge from the vagina which is mainly experienced during puberty, when sexual organs are developing in a woman. It is a frequent gynaecological complaint of women that accounts for more than 25% gynaec patients visits to the gynaecologists.

It is generally defined as white fluid discharged from female genital. Sometime it flows as liquid and sometime it is sticky and thick. Its property changes according to the age of the women or when they travel too much. Vaginal discharges up to a certain extent are normal and healthy as they flush out the dead cells of reproductive organs and other toxic organisms. In healthy women discharge is whitish in colour. The abnormal vaginal discharge may be whitish, yellowish, reddish and blackish in colour. If it is thick, sticky, white and inflammatory, medical check-up is required. With symptoms perceivable and discharge abnormal, if there is profuse and unstoppable discharge which requires pad or it is not white but grey-white, yellow, green, brown or rust-like in colour and causes itching, it is a critical condition which necessitates serious treatment.

Every woman has periodically some normal vaginal discharges, which maintaining chemical balance and the flexibility of vaginal muscles, serve as normal defensive system for vagina. If such discharges exceed normalcy and become white or yellow thick liquid with a foul smell, it is called “Leucorrhoea” that may be a sign of infection, cancer or may be due to some other reasons. This abnormal vaginal discharge may be whitish, yellowish, reddish and blackish in colour

In Sanskrit language it is called shuwetapradra, a combination of two words. Shuweta means white and pradra means discharge. This discharge is often caused by inflammation or infection within the vagina or cervix.

Its major cause is hormonal imbalance especially of oestrogen. It is primary female sex hormone which is responsible for the regulation and development of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. It also controls various body functions of a female. Sometime oestrogen imbalance in female body may lead to sterility.

Leucorrhoea creates no problem in conception but its causes do. You need to consult any Unani Medicine expert because its complete treatment is offered in Unani system.

Etiology of the Disease (Asbaabe-e- Marz): According to Unani Medicine

As per Allama Najeebuddin Samarqandi (a renowned Unani scholar) the fluid is secreted in the uterus because of poor and weak nutritive faculty (Quwwat-e- Ghadhiya). The accumulated fluid is waste materials that go down to the uterus and expel out. The body repel and drive back the fluid to the uterus.

Other causative factors of the disease are:

• Infections from bacteria, fungi or parasites – protozoa.
• Early/ young age pregnancy
• Spread of infection from urinary tract
• Inflammation of uterus
• Injuries to the vagina, the womb or the cervix
• Allergy or contact dermatitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Contraceptives used by women
• Lack of cleanliness or poor hygienic measures especially during menses.
• Gonorrhoea
• Gout
• Syphilis
• Displacement of uterus
• Arthritis
• Typhoid
• Diabetes and anaemia can provoke infections due to weakened immunity
• Mental anxiety or sexual frustration
• Infection through mildew: Any fungus like yeast infects reproductive organs and causes Leucorrhoea. If it is because of fungus, discharge will be thick white with itching in vagina. This kind of discharge is called vaginal mildew.
• Some sexually transmittable diseases cause Leucorrhoea. One of them is Trichomoniasis which makes discharge greenish or yellow.
• Dirty toilet also causes Leucorrhoea. Common usage of tools pertaining to toilet and particularly public toilet infects female sexual organs and finally leads to Leucorrhoea. The disease seen in women who excessively use medicine for sexual organ.
• Problems related to last narrow part of womb: blister or swelling at the head of womb also causes Leucorrhoea. In that case discharge is more profuse than during sexual intercourse. It is grey in colour and looks like coagulated blood.
• Inflammation in below abdomen: Infection in below abdomen which contains sexual and reproductive organs may cause inflammation leading to Leucorrhoea.
• Various illnesses: women suffering from various diseases like tuberculosis and anaemia get their discharge increased to greater extent. The problem is in women who have weak immune system or take diet lacking nutritive properties.
• Stress or depression: to some level there are psychological factors causing the disease. Women too much under pressure or depressed may be afflicted with the disease. Sometime come to clinic too frightened as they say that their bones are decaying.

Symptoms of Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea)

Main symptoms of the disease are excessive vaginal discharge, pain in the thighs and calf muscles and burning micturition etc. The vaginal discharge colour may be whitish, yellowish, reddish and blackish. The discharge may be accompanied with foul smelling and itchy sensation or a pain at the infected area.

Others associated symptoms of the disease with excessive vaginal discharge are,

• Breathlessness
• Headache and Giddiness
• Indigestion
• Paleness
• Anorexia
• Pain in menstruation
• General weakness
• Polyuria
• Pain & heaviness in lower abdomen
• Constipation
• Anaemia
• Local soreness
• Lumbago
• Malaise
• Pruritus

Classification of Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea)

• In general they are of two types

1. Physiological
2. Inflammatory

• Physiological leucorrhoea

It is common in almost every women and is caused by the natural defence mechanism of the vagina to maintain its chemical balance and preserve the flexibility of the vaginal tissue. It has called ‘physiological’ due to the reason that vaginal discharge occurs when oestrogen’s levels are increased. When vaginal discharge is thin, odourless, clear, mucus like and not subsequently increased in the quantity then it is considered normal and therefore need not be worried about.

• Inflammatory Leucorrhoea

This type of leucorrhoea occurs when there is vaginal swelling or congestion inside the vaginal mucosa. The affected area very often gives out yellow coloured discharge with a foul smell, which indicates any infection. This type of leucorrhoea also includes vaginal discharge caused by the sexually transmitted diseases and due to post-partum discharge after delivery.

• In Unani system of medicine, this disease is classified according to vaginal discharge and involvement of humours (Akhlaat).

Classification According to Vaginal discharge is of five types.

• Clitoral discharge:- In this type fluid discharge from the external part of clitoris.
• Internal vaginal discharge:- In this type of leucorrhoea fluid discharge from the internal part of the vaginal.
• Cervical discharge:- In this type discharge comes from the cervix of the uterus.
• Uterine discharge:- In this type discharge comes directly from the uterus.
• Ovarian discharge:- In this type discharge comes from the ovary.

​Classification According to Humours (Akhlat) is of four types: According to the humoural theory, Sayalan-al-Rahim (Leucorrhoea) is classified into four types

1. Sailan-ur- Rahem Damwi- It is caused by excess of blood (Khilt-e- Dam) and the colour of the discharge is reddish.
2. Sailan-ur- Rahem Safrawi - It is caused by excess of yellow bile (Khilt-e- Safra) and the colour of discharge is yellowish.
3. Sailan-ur- Rahem Balghami - It is caused by excess of phlegm (Khilt-e-Balgham) and   colour of discharge is whitish.
4. Sailan-ur- Rahem Saudawi - It is caused by excess of black bile (Khilt-e- Sawda) and the colour of the discharge is blackish.

Diagnosis of leucorrhoea (Sailan-ur- Rahem)

Patients usually complains for abnormal discharge from vaginal with one or more other associated symptoms of the disease mentioned above. Discharge looks white or creamy in colour, sometimes it looks reddish, blackish or yellowish. General weakness may reveal the ill health of the patient, which may be due to the leucorrhoea. Peevishness occurs in the behaviour of the patient and often it may risk to heart attack. The discharge is subjected to microscopic examination for detection of pus cells to exclude the infective nature of the disease. If pus cells are not detected then it is case of leucorrhoea but if pus cell is detected then further investigations are carried out to identify the organism in discharge and rule out the actual disease.

The investigation should include detailed history regarding onset of disease, duration of the discharge, intensity of the itching etc., and general examination like features of anaemia or malnutrition, evidence of fungal infection in toes and fingers and patches elsewhere in the body etc. and local examination of the affected area.

Complexities brought about by leucorrhoea (Sailan-ur- Rahem)

It is a minor disease. It can easily be controlled within a few days, if treated at early stage with immediate consultation by qualified physician. Self-medication must be strictly avoided. There are many creams and pills available in market. None of them should be used unless prescribed by a gynaecologist. Some women are allergic to some medicines which may infect more and things got worse, so prevention is better by avoiding self-medication than to land in trouble.

Transmission of leucorrhoea (Sailan-ur- Rahem)

Leucorrhoea transmits through mildew like yeast and easily transmits from woman to woman. Intermixing of the clothes of affected woman with the clothes of healthy woman may affect the later. Therefore undergarments should be washed carefully using any good detergent which could cleanse spots and fungus. It is also caused by unprotected sex. Infected reproductive organ of a person may infect the female reproductive organ and cause the disease.

Fundamentals/ Principles of Management (Usool-e- Ilaaj)

• If the disease appears due to the dominance of any one humour (Khilt) then disease should be first treated by Concoctive and purgative therapy (Munzij Mus'hil Therapy) and after that by using suppositories (farzajaah).
• If leucorrhoea (sailan-ur- rahem) is due to the weakness of nutritive power (quwwat-e-ghazia) them Behi, Apple and Sharbat-e- Lemun or sharbat-e- sandal should be given. Mufarrehat latif (easily digestible foods) and beverages increase the quwwat-e- ghaazia (nutritive power) of uterus. Renowned Unani scholar “Abu Bakr Zakarya Razi” have also preferred this line of treatment.
• If leucorrhoea (sailan-ur- rahem) is caused by metritis (Waram-e- rahem) then the same treatment should be prescribed as the treatment for metritis (Waram-e- rahem).
• In the presence of general weakness the general body tonics (Muqqawiyat-e- aám) must be given.
• If Leucorrhoea ((sailan-ur- rahem)) is caused by local vaginal infection, then treatment should be given to evacuate the morbid humour from the stomach and liver and vaginal infection must be treated timely.
• In the condition of Anaemia, iron compound should be given.
• In the treatment of the disease, digestion should be maintained and constipation in patients should be removed.
• Maintain and strengthen all vital organs of body to improve the general health of the patient.
• Sympathetic attitude must be kept towards the patient and the anxiety state should be removed if the patient is anxious.
• Loose fitting undergarments preferably cotton made should be used by the patients to keep the area aerated.
• Local hygiene is to be taken care of and sanitation should be maintained always.

Safeguarding against leucorrhoea (Sailan-ur- Rahem)

There are many preventive measures (Tahaffuzi tadaabeer) which prevent leucorrhoea ((sailan-ur- rahem)). A few of them are as under:

• Cleanliness of reproductive organs is very important. Wash the genitals carefully during every bath and do not let moisture retain in the genitals area after the bath. Let the water flow on anus and vulva in plenty as to wash them clean. Also wash vagina clean after urinating.
• Self-medication should be avoided because some women are allergic to certain kinds of medicines and use of such medicine may cause further infections and will complicate the issue.
• Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxic substances from the body.
• All sugary foods such as pastries, sweets, custards, ice-creams and puddings must be avoided if there is profuse discharge.
• Mushrooms must be avoided in diet as they are fungi themselves.
• Hot and spicy foods should be reduced to the least in diet.
• Avoid the intake of alcohol.
• Fresh curds must become an integral part of the diet because it not only helps in easy digestion of food but also contain lactic acid, which can reduce the discharge.
• Clean the innerwear and yourself with a good quality detergent which has bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
• Immediately change the clothes including undergarments, if clothes get wet in the rain or due to any other reason.
• Inner wear made of Nylon material should be avoided in summer because as it may retain sweat in the genital area. Cotton is best choice for undergarments.
• Do not unnecessarily use any cosmetics like powders or perfumes in the genital area. They should be strictly avoided.
• Go on a walk or jog early morning to make the body stress-free and also to increase its resistance to diseases
• Pill users should stop the pill temporarily if the symptoms is very mush annoying.
• Before going physical with your partner make sure he is free from all kinds of infections and habituate yourself to wash your organ clean after meeting thus keep away many diseases.
• Stress buster exercises and morning walk should be made routine; because when body is stress free, immunity will receive a boost against illnesses.

Some Homemade Remedies for Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea)

• Clean the vaginal area with freshly squeezed lemon juice and water
• Consume lady finger, preferably lightly steamed or in the raw form
• Eat one or two ripe bananas daily
• Drink one glass of fresh cranberry juice, preferably without any sugar, once a day
• Soak some coriander seeds in water overnight and drink the water, after straining it, on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Before using any of the home remedies for leucorrhoea mentioned above, it is absolutely essential for women to consult a doctor.

Anti- Lucorrhoea Diet

A little modification in diet of the patient also helps to prevent leucorrhoea (sailan-ur- rahem). Modification means excluding some bad/ unhealthy ingredients from diet and including some healthy ones. Following tips are helpful for anyone suffering from leucorrhoea (sailan-ur- rahem).

• If discharge is profuse, sugar should be avoided. Sugar means all sweet items, say pastry, custard, ice-cream pudding etc.
• Khumbies and mushroom should be avoided as they are also a type of mildew. Some Khumbies pollute.
• Hot and spicy edibles create problems; therefore should be reduced to the least in diet.

Compound Unani Formulation for the treatment of Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea): Some compound Unani pharmacopoeial formulations used in the management of the Sailan-ur- Rahem (Leucorrhoea) are:

• Majoon Supari Paak
• Safoof-e- Sailaan
• Majoon Muqawwi-e- Rahem
• Qurs-e- Sailaan
• Majoon Moocharas
• Majoon Suhaag Sonth
• Qurs-e- Kushta- Khabs-al- Hadeed
• Habb-e- Marwaareed
• Kushta Baiza-e- Murgh
• Kushta Musallas
• Kushta Qalai

References

http://www.irjponline.com/admin/php/uploads/1610_pdf.pdf

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.iosrphr.org/papers/v6i6/G0663640.pdf

http://www.iosrphr.org/papers/v6i6/G0663640.pdf

https://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/effect-of-unani-formulation-in-cervicitis-warmeunqurrahm-a-singleblindrandomized-placebocontrolled-trial-2327-5162-1000213.php?aid=70285

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307901399_Clinical_study_of_Qurse_Kushta_Khabs_al-Hadeed_and_Habbe_Marwareed_in_the_management_of_Sayalan_al-Rahim_Leucorrhoea

http://www.florajournal.com/archives/2014/vol2issue2/PartA/7.1.pdf

http://www.naturalremedies.org/leucorrhoea/

NOTES

• Along with medicine the patients have to follow strict unani regimen for optimum results as per the concept of Unani system of medicine. The patients are therefore, strongly advised to avoid self-medication.
• They are advised to visit the nearest authorized Unani treatment centre for advice and treatment.