A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SHWETA PRADARA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LEUCORRHOEA

Vaginal discharge is one of the most frequent complaints with which women present to gynaecology outpatient departments in India. White, non-haemorrhagic vaginal discharge, often accompanied by weakness, backache, pain in the calves and pruritus vulvae, is described as Shweta Pradara in Ayurvedic classics and is broadly correlated with leucorrhoea of modern gynaecology. The Brihatrayee do not use the term Shweta Pradara; white discharge is described within the twenty Yonivyapad, and the term appears in medieval texts such as Sharangadhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha, Yogaratnakara and Bhaishajya Ratnavali. The present review compiles the classical concept of Shweta Pradara (Nirukti, historical background, Nidana, Samprapti, Lakshana and Chikitsa) and correlates it with the modern understanding of vaginal physiology, physiological and pathological leucorrhoea, and the common infective causes of abnormal discharge, namely bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Diagnostic approach, syndromic management, oral and local (Sthanika) Ayurvedic therapies, Ahara-Vihara, Yoga and preventive measures are also discussed. Shweta Pradara is primarily a Kaphaja manifestation involving vitiation of Rasa in the Artavavaha Srotas; Kashaya rasa dominant, Kapha-shamaka, Stambhana and Rasayana drugs, used internally and locally, form the backbone of management, while exclusion of malignancy and sexually transmitted infections remains mandatory before symptomatic treatment.