What is vaginitis?  

Vaginitis is described medically as inflammation of the vagina. The three most common vaginal infections are Bacterial Vaginosis, Vaginal Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis.  They are caused respectively by bacteria, fungus  and a parasite called protozoa. Harmonal changes and allergy could also trigger white discharge in women. Vaginal infection can produce a variety of symptoms, such as abnormal or increased discharge, itching, fishy odor, irritation, painful coitus and urination.  

What does Ayurveda hold for vaginitis?  

The drugs used in the study included the flower of Woodfordia, root of Cyperus, root of Symplocos, gum of Bombax, and seed of Caesalpinia. They were mixed with clarified butter and encapsulated in soft gelatin capsule. 

The author with his co-workers in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in a college in Bangalore-India studied the effect of an ayurvedic formulation Wh-1 on 36 patients.  All the patients were given 1 capsule three times a day for ten days. Their vaginal swab test was done before starting treatment. This showed the cause of infection. At the end of the treatment of 10 days another swab test was repeated. This showed whether the patient responded to treatment or not. All the patients received physical examination by a physician.  

What was the result of study? 

36 patients (out of 56) completed the preliminary clinical study and their statistics are presented here.  Significant results were seen microbiologically in 30 patients (83%). Age of patients ranged between 18 and 55 years. Maximum patients belonged to low income group. Duration of complaint varied from less than 1 month (4 days) to 8 years.  25 patients improved with the first course of 10 days treatment (69%). 7 patients received 2 courses of medicine and  2 patients 3 courses of medicine. 2 patients received more than 4 courses of medicine without benefit.

Out of 36 patients who completed the trial 14 suffered from bacterial infection. 9 of them were cured (64%). 3 patients had candida fungus infection and 17 had mixed infection. All of them were cured at the end of treatment (100%).  There were 2 cases of atrophic vaginitis (after menopause) of which only one improved. (50%) Out of 36 patients 30 were cured of white discharge (83%)

Highlight of this study is that a single polyherbal drug was used for treatment of vaginitis of varying causes.  It is the practice in modern medicine to prescribe separate infection- specific treatments.

 What is the significance of this study? 

Since vaginitis is caused by different microbial agents their treatment has got to be different. The medicine given for vaginitis caused by bacteria will not be effective for one caused by fungus. However in the present study Wh-1 capsule was given to 3 types of vaginitis with satisfactory result. This holds a lot of significance for medical fraternity. In the first place it would be possible to avoid the routine vaginal swab test before prescribing a treatment. Secondly it throws up some questions. What is the method of its action? Does it kill the causative organisms or increase the natural fighting capacity of the body? Probably further research will give definite answers.

The present research has given a new hope for safe and sure treatment of white discharge in women.