The weather is getting colder after winter, and many female friends have abnormal leucorrhoea suddenly become more this season, why?
Let’s talk about the reasons: 1. Because of the cold weather, most people are used to taking supplements in this season, which may increase the burden on the stomach and intestines. And Chinese medicine is of the opinion: this tends to make the spleen and stomach more burdened, easily produce the phenomenon of spleen and kidney disorders, and spleen and kidney deficiency, will trigger leucorrhea abnormalities.
2, winter clothes wear more and thicker, which will affect the breathability of the skin, easily causing lower body humidity and perineal temperature to rise, which is ideal for the breeding of bacteria, triggering vaginitis.
3, the original disease aggravated: such as the original inflammation of the reproductive tract, or the new genital tumor, these diseases will cause leucorrhea abnormalities regardless of the season.
If we simply have increased leucorrhea and no other discomfort, is it considered abnormal?
To answer this question, let’s first look at what “leukorrhea” is.
Leukorrhea is also known as “vaginal discharge”, which is a mixture of exudate from the vaginal mucosa, cervical glands and some secretions from the endometrium, containing vaginal epithelial cells, white blood cells, lactobacilli, etc. These are collectively referred to as “leukorrhea”.
The normal leucorrhea is a white, thin paste, generally odorless, with varying amounts of halo, related to the level of estrogen and the degree of engorgement of the genital organs. When the ovaries gradually develop during puberty and begin to secrete estrogen, vaginal secretions begin to be discharged, generally in the middle of the menstrual period (that is, the middle of two periods), that is, near the time of ovulation, due to the endocervical glandular cells secretion, cervical mucus in the leucorrhoea accounts for the main component, when the leucorrhoea is indeed gradually increasing, and clear and transparent, thin, like egg white, and like clear snot at the beginning of the flu.
The leucorrhea during ovulation After ovulation, the leucorrhea becomes cloudy and sticky again, and the amount becomes less. Before and after menstruation, because of the increased pelvic congestion, so that the vaginal mucous membrane exudate increased, leucorrhea also tends to increase; after pregnancy because of the increase in hormone levels, vaginal mucous membrane exudate and secretion will also increase, so leucorrhea is also more; in addition, before and after sex, vaginal use of contraceptive drugs, etc., will cause increased leucorrhea, these are normal leucorrhea increase.
By abnormal increase in leucorrhea, doctors mean that there is a change in color, texture, odor and amount of leucorrhea, accompanied by some uncomfortable symptoms, such as itching, redness and even burning and painful sensations in the pubic area. For example, the occurrence of purulent leucorrhea, or leucorrhea that turns yellow or yellow-green in color with a fishy odor, may be caused by trichomonas infection or purulent bacterial infection, which are commonly diagnosed as trichomoniasis, chronic cervicitis, vaginitis, endometritis, pus accumulation in the uterine cavity or even infections that may be triggered by foreign bodies in the vagina. Another example is leucorrhea in the form of bean curd or small curd-like pieces, accompanied by itching of the vulva, which is mostly due to fungal vaginitis.
If you find blood in the leucorrhea, the amount is sometimes high and sometimes low, and it happens after sex or without any regularity, this kind of leucorrhea is said by doctors to be “bloody leucorrhea”, once it happens, you need to be very alert to the occurrence of reproductive tract tumors, especially malignant ones. For example, cervical cancer, uterine body cancer, etc. Of course, some benign lesions can also occur, such as cervical polyps, side effects caused by intrauterine devices, submucosal fibroids, vaginitis, and severe chronic cervicitis.
If yellow water-like leucorrhea occurs in large amounts from the vagina, along with a foul odor, it may be due to necrosis or degeneration of diseased tissues, which can be seen in diseases such as submucosal fibroids, cervical cancer, uterine body cancer, and fallopian tube cancer.
It is true that if the leucorrhea is merely physiological, there is no need to consult a doctor or buy your own medicine to treat it. However, if the above mentioned abnormalities occur, you should definitely see a doctor. Many women are busy with work and household chores and like to buy a little lotion or suppository from the drugstore for their own use. This is because general health care knowledge is not enough to diagnose various kinds of vaginitis or to differentiate the occurrence of the disease. Even gynecologists need to analyze the situation through consultation, pelvic examination or laboratory tests before they can make a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Lastly, we will talk about prevention. In winter, the incidence of leucorrhea abnormalities will increase. In winter, attention should be paid to strengthening personal hygiene, so that you can change your underwear regularly and avoid wearing underwear made of nylon products. Pay attention to a balanced diet, avoid stimulating foods, such as excessive acidity and spiciness, alcoholism, short days and long nights in winter, and pay attention to rest – this is one of the “winter” lifestyles of Chinese medicine. Attention to lifestyle will reduce the chance of leucorrhoea.
There are many different types of leukorrhea, with different causes and symptoms, and treatment varies from person to person. The best way is to go to a regular hospital once you find a leucorrhea abnormality, get a clear diagnosis, and get the right treatment from your doctor.