Abstract

PURIFICATION TO PALLIATION: AN INTEGRATIVE AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO LEUCORRHOEA (SWETA PRADARA) — A CASE SERIES

Dr. Piu Hansda, *Dr. Sayantan Bera, Dr. Shawan Barik, Dr. Joydip Tripathi

Abstract

Background: Leucorrhoea (Swetapradara) is a common gynaecological complaint characterized by excessive or altered whitish vaginal discharge, which may be associated with itching, discomfort and unpleasant odour. In Ayurveda, the condition is considered in relation to Kapha or Vata-Kapha predominance, impaired Agni and increased Kleda. An integrated therapeutic approach combining Shodhana, Shamana, and local Yoni Prakshalana treatment may provide a comprehensive approach to its management. Objective: To document the clinical response to an integrated Ayurvedic treatment protocol comprising Nitya Virecana, Shamana Aushadhi and Yoni Prakshalana in patients presenting with Swetapradara. Case Presentation: A case series of five female patients attending the Panchakarma Outpatient Department with clinical features suggestive of Swetapradara was undertaken. The patients received a 21-day integrated Ayurvedic intervention consisting of Nitya Virecana with Trivrit Avaleha (5 g once daily in the morning on an empty stomach), Pradarantaka Lauha as Shamana Aushadhi and Yoni Prakshalana using Triphala and Lodhra. Clinical severity was assessed using a arbitrary four-point ordinal grading system covering six parameters: Picchila, Sita, Kandu, Alpa Vedana, Pandu Varna and Durgandha. Changes in clinical scores before and after treatment were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Intervention and Outcome: Improvement was observed across all assessed clinical parameters following treatment. The highest percentage reduction was observed in Kandu (61.54%), followed by Alpa Vedana (50.00%), Durgandha (46.15%), Picchila and Pandu Varna (44.44% each) and Sita (30.77%). The overall mean clinical symptom score decreased from 17.00 ± 1.22 before treatment to 9.20 ± 0.84 after treatment, corresponding to a mean reduction of 45.88%. The median total score decreased from 17 to 9. However, owing to the small sample size, the reduction in the total score did not reach conventional statistical significance (Wilcoxon W = 0, p = 0.0625). Conclusion: The present case series indicates that an integrated Ayurvedic approach incorporating Nitya Virecana, Shamana Aushadhi and Yoni Prakshalana may have potential in the management of Swetapradara, with consistent clinical improvement observed across the five cases. Nevertheless, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size, absence of a control group and short treatment and follow-up period. Larger controlled clinical studies using validated outcome measures are warranted to establish the efficacy and safety of this therapeutic approach.

Keywords: Swetapradara, Leucorrhoea, Nitya Virecana, Trivrit Avaleha, Pradarantaka Lauha, Yoni Prakshalana, Triphala, Lodhra, Ayurveda.