leukorrhea

leu·kor·rhe·a

also leu·cor·rhe·a L0135600 (lo͞o′kə-rē′ə)n. A thick, whitish discharge from the vagina or cervical canal.

leu′kor·rhe′al adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

leukorrhea - discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; often an indication of infectionleucorrheamucous secretion, mucus - protective secretion of the mucus membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium

Translations

Leukorrhea

leukorrhea

[‚lü·kə′rē·ə] (medicine) A whitish, mucopurulent discharge from the female genital canal.

Leukorrhea

quantitatively and qualitatively altered discharges of the sex organs of women.

Leukorrhea is a frequent symptom of many gynecological diseases. It may appear in connection with gonorrhea, prolapse of the reproductive organs, malignant tumors, the use of thermal and chemical irritants (certain contraceptives), trichomoniasis, endocrine disorders, and so forth. The normal discharge from the female sex organs is insignificant, and women do not ordinarily notice it. In a healthy woman the discharges may increase before and after menstruation and during pregnancy and sexual excitement. In these cases the discharges are light in color, disappear quickly, and elicit no complaints. In diseases, leukorrhea flows out and causes an unpleasant sensation of constant moistness, itching, and burning. Leukorrhea may be white, transparent (vitreous), milky, yellow green (admixture of pus), or sanious (admixture of blood). Leukorrhea may be fluid or viscous. It may be odorless, odorous, or sometimes malodorous.

Leukorrheas are distinguished according to their site of origin. Vestibular leukorrhea, which arises in the vestibule of the vagina, is most often observed in young girls with various forms of vulvitis. Vestibular leukorrhea may occur in adults when the rules of personal hygiene are not observed; it may also occur in ulcerative processes and in diabetes mellitus. Most frequently observed are vaginal leukorrheas caused by inflammatory processes in the vagina—vaginitis, which is often associated with cases of trichomoniasis caused by fungal infection (yeast microorganisms) or with nonspecific vaginal inflammations caused by streptococci, colon bacilli, and staphylococci. Cervical leukorrhea, which arises in the cervix, appears in cases of acute and chronic gonorrhea, cancer, polyposis, and so forth. Uterine leukorrhea is rare (found in cases of endometritis). Salpingiar leukorrhea is a rare form that arises in the fallopian tubes as a result of their inflammation. It is characterized by periodic profuse discharge of purulent fluid.

To a considerable degree the causes of leukorrhea are conditioned by the age and hormonal state of a woman’s body. In children it is caused by intestinal bacteria, streptococci (after scarlet fever), and gonococci. In young women, leukorrhea is caused by hormonal disturbances. With the beginning of sexual activity, leukorrhea may be caused by trichomoniasis or by gonorrhea. During menopause, so-called senile vaginitis often occurs, accompanied by leukorrhea; it is associated with atrophy of the mucous membrane of the vagina and the vagina’s susceptibility to injury.

Preventive measures include periodic examinations for symptoms of gynecologic disease, provision of personal hygiene rooms for women at places of work, and labor protection measures. Treatment is directed at the removal of the basic pathological process causing the leukorrhea.

REFERENCES

Gurtovoi, L. E. “Obshschaia simptomatologiia i diagnostika gjnekologjcheskikh zabolevanii.” In Mnogotomnoe rukovodstvo po akusherstvu i ginekologii, vol. 4, book 1. Moscow, 1963.
Mandel’shtam, L. E. Semiotika i diagnostika zhenskikh boleznei, 2nd ed. Leningrad, 1964.

V. A. POKROVSKII

leukorrhea

[loo″ko-re´ah] a white to yellow viscid discharge from the vagina or uterine cavity, which may be a symptom of a disorder either in the reproductive organs or elsewhere in the body. The glands of the vagina normally secrete a certain amount of mucuslike fluid that moistens the vaginal membranes. This is often increased at the time of ovulation and before a menstrual period, and it is also stimulated by sexual excitement, whether or not coitus takes place. Excessive discharge, however, may indicate an abnormal condition. A yellow or creamy white discharge, especially if it is thick, often contains pus and provides evidence of an infection. A thinner discharge, such as one that seems to be clear mucus, usually indicates that the disorder is chronic, but of less significance.Causes. Frequent causes are trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and vaginosis" >bacterial vaginosis. The discharge of trichomoniasis is usually yellowish, odorous, and pruritic. Candidiasis is distinguished by a thin to thick white discharge with irritation and itching. Women with bacterial vaginosis often complain of a gray to yellow discharge with an offensive, fishy odor.
Another cause of leukorrhea is infection of the cervix during childbirth. The infection irritates the mucous glands of the cervix, causing them to secrete excessive mucus. sexually transmitted diseases, especially gonorrhea and chlamydiosis, are also common causes of leukorrhea. When the discharge is profuse, thick, and yellowish and there is a burning sensation during urination, gonorrhea or chlamydiosis should be suspected. Other bacteria and fungi may also be causes of leukorrhea, such as infections of the genital tract originating from foreign bodies like tampons, diaphragms, and pessaries that are left in the vagina too long.
Leukorrhea sometimes is an early indication of cervical cancer, or of benign conditions, such as polyps or leiomyoma uteri. It may also be caused by pelvic congestion associated with heart disease, by malnutrition, or by inflammation of the fallopian tubes as a result of tuberculosis. In later years, the disorder may be caused by simple debility; see also vaginitis" >atrophic vaginitis.

leu·kor·rhe·a

(lū'kō-rē'ă), Discharge from the vagina of a white or yellowish viscid fluid containing mucus and pus cells. Synonym(s): leukorrhagia [leuko- + G. rhoia, flow]

leukorrhea

also

leucorrhea

(lo͞o′kə-rē′ə)n. A thick, whitish discharge from the vagina or cervical canal.

leu′kor·rhe′al adj.

leukorrhea

Gynecology A nonspecific whitish malodorous vaginal discharge accompanied by dyspareunia and intense pruritus, which may be caused by infection–eg, Candida albicans, Gardnerella vaginalis, T vaginalis, N gonorrhoeae, foreign bodies, estrogen depletion, neoplasms, and as a postpartum phenomenon

leu·kor·rhe·a

(lū'kōr-ē'ă) Discharge from the vagina of a white or yellowish viscid fluid.
Synonym(s): leukorrhagia, leucorrhoea, leukorrhoea. [leuko- + G. rhoia, flow]

leukorrhea

leu·kor·rhe·a

Leukorrhea

leukorrhea

Leukorrhea

REFERENCES

leukorrhea

leukorrhea

leu·kor·rhe·a

leukorrhea

leucorrhea

leukorrhea

leu·kor·rhe·a

leukorrhea

Synonyms for leukorrhea

noun discharge of white mucous material from the vagina

Synonyms

Related Words