Vaginal discharge is a very common problem in women, not to be confused with the mucosal secretion which is normal and acts as a lubricant and disinfectant, and often increases before menstruation or during sex.

Vaginal discharge takes many forms, the most common being leucorrhoea which is white discharge but in other cases there may be yellowish discharge or even green, and there might be either thick or watery discharge. In some cases it can be itchy and there may be smelly discharge and may cause pain on urination. In such cases it is generally treated with antibacterial or antifungal medications which may reduce the problem but do not prevent recurrence.

Ayurveda treats any case of vaginal discharge as being indicative of a Pitta and Kapha imbalance. When there is an aggravation of Kapha the discharge is generally thick, dense and profuse and may be accompanied by pathogenic overgrowths, and exhibit yeast infection symptoms or Candida symptoms of itching and thick yellow or white discharge. An excessive production of oestrogen can cause such an aggravation, as can an accumulation of certain fats in the body. In the case of aggravated Pitta the discharge is sometimes accompanied by blood or infection.

When vaginal discharge is a constant issue this can indicate a number of other conditions. Symptoms such as lower back pain, dark circles under the eyes and cramps are all indicative of a deficiency of nutrients in the body. Candida treatment and yeast infection treatment with Ayurveda involves a careful assessment of the entire body as there may be a need to treat any one or more of a number of systems, including the immune system, the liver, and the digestive system as a whole. I have also seen many cases where a deficiency is at the root of the problem, for example when the bone marrow has been treated or deficiencies of minerals such as calcium, magnesium or iron have been addressed the other symptoms have been relieved. The Ayurvedic approach to treatment also focuses on a Pitta pacifying diet, avoiding such items as hot spices, chilli, pickles and wine, and Ayurvedic herbs, such as Shatavari, are additionally used for this purpose.

If the vaginal discharge does not stop after all the treatment is completed a gynaecologist should be consulted. In most cases, however, it will respond well to Ayurvedic treatment.