View source for Leukorrhea

{{short description|Type of vaginal discharge}}
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[[File:Discharge (1).jpg|thumb|Whitish Discharge]]
'''Leukorrhea''' or ('''leucorrhoea''' [[American and British English spelling differences|British English]]), also known as '''fluor albus''', is a thick, whitish, yellowish or pinkish(if period is starting or ending)[[vaginal discharge]].<ref>{{DorlandsDict|five/000058899|leukorrhea}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Definition of LEUKORRHEA|url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leukorrhea|website = www.merriam-webster.com|access-date = 2015-12-20}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001911.htm|title=Hormonal effects in newborns: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia|website=medlineplus.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-11-07}}</ref>
It has also been referred to as "'''egg whites'''".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B8oOrfXrLlQC&dq=%22the+whites%22&pg=PA1 | title=Leucorrhœa; or, the "whites." | author=G. H. Darwin | year=1884 | publisher=John Heywood}}</ref>
There are many causes of leukorrhea, the usual one being [[estrogen]] imbalance.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} The amount of discharge may increase due to [[vaginal infection]], and it may disappear and reappear from time to time. This discharge can keep occurring for years, in which case it becomes more yellow and strong-smelling. It is usually a non-pathological symptom secondary to [[inflammation|inflammatory]] conditions of the vagina or [[cervix]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = leukorrhea {{!}} medical disorder|url = http://www.britannica.com/science/leukorrhea|website = Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date = 2015-12-20}}</ref>
Leukorrhea can be confirmed by finding >10 [[white blood cell|WBC]] per [[high-power field]] under a microscope when examining vaginal fluid.<ref>Workowski, Kimberly A., and Stuart Berman. [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines], 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Dec. 2010. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.</ref>
Vaginal discharge is normal, and causes of change in discharge include infection, malignancy, and hormonal changes. It sometimes occurs before an adolescent female has her first [[menstruation|period]], and is considered a sign of [[puberty]].
==Etymology==
The word leukorrhea comes from Greek [[wikt:λευκός|λευκός]] (leukós, “white”) + [[wikt:ῥοία|ῥοία]] (rhoía, “flow, flux”). In Latin leukorrhea is ''[[wikt:fluor albus|fluor albus]]'' ([[wikt:fluor|fluor]], "flow" & [[wikt:albus|albus]], "white").
==Types==
===Physiologic leukorrhea===
It is not a major issue but is to be resolved as soon as possible. It can be a natural defense mechanism that the vagina uses to maintain its chemical balance, as well as to preserve the flexibility of the vaginal tissue. The term "physiologic leukorrhea" is used to refer to leukorrhea due to estrogen stimulation.<ref name="isbn1-4160-0159-X">{{cite book |author1=Behrman, Richard E. |author2=Kliegman, Robert |author3=Karen Marcdante |author4=Jenson, Hal B. |title=Nelson essentials of pediatrics |publisher=Elsevier Saunders |location=St. Louis, Mo |year=2006 |pages=348 |isbn=978-1-4160-0159-1 }}</ref>
Leukorrhea may occur normally during [[pregnancy]]. This is caused by increased bloodflow to the vagina due to increased estrogen. Female [[infant]]s may have leukorrhea for a short time after birth due to their in-uterine exposure to estrogen.
===Inflammatory leukorrhea===
It may also result from [[inflammation]] or congestion of the vaginal [[Mucous membrane|mucosa]]. In cases where it is yellowish or gives off an odor, a doctor should be consulted since it could be a sign of several disease processes, including an organic bacterial infection ([[aerobic vaginitis]]) or [[sexually transmitted disease|STD]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title = leukorrhea|url = http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/leukorrhea}}</ref>
After [[Childbirth|delivery]], leukorrhea accompanied by backache and foul-smelling [[lochia]] ([[post-partum]] vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and [[placenta]]l tissue) may suggest the failure of [[Involution (medicine)|involution]] (the [[uterus]] returning to pre-pregnancy size) due to infection. A number of investigation such as [[wet smear]], [[Gram stain]], culture, [[pap smear]] and biopsy are suggested to diagnose the condition.
===Parasitic leukorrhea===
Leukorrhea is also caused by trichomonads, a group of [[parasitic]] [[protozoan]], specifically ''[[Trichomonas vaginalis]]''. Common symptoms of this disease are burning sensation, itching and discharge of frothy substance, thick, white or yellow mucous.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|title = A Textbook of Biology|last = Dhami|first = P.S|publisher = Pradeep Publications|year = 2015|location = Jalandhar, Punjab|pages = 1/79}}</ref>
==Treatment==
Leukorrhea may be caused by sexually transmitted diseases; therefore, treating the STD will help treat the leukorrhea.
Treatment may include [[antibiotics]], such as [[metronidazole]]. Other antibiotics common for the treatment of STIs include [[clindamycin]] or [[tinidazole]].<ref>"Treatments for Specific Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)." Treatments for Specific Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs). Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stds/conditioninfo/Pages/specific.aspx>.</ref>
==References==
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== External links ==
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{{Diseases of the pelvis, genitals and breasts}}
[[Category:Noninflammatory disorders of female genital tract]]
[[Category:Women's health]]
[[Category:Sexually transmitted diseases and infections]]