What does leukorrhea mean?
Leukorrhea is a medical term for abnormal or excessive vaginal discharge, often described as white or clear. Such discharge can arise from several causes, including infection, hormonal fluctuations, cervical or vaginal irritation, and other conditions affecting the reproductive system. The term is also sometimes used more broadly to mean vaginal discharge, but its principal dictionary meaning concerns discharge that is excessive or atypical in some way. Leukorrhea is chiefly used in American English; British English generally spells it “leucorrhoea.” It is important not to infer a particular diagnosis from this word alone, because the appearance, duration, and accompanying symptoms determine the clinical significance of the discharge. Persistent or uncomfortable leukorrhea should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional rather than treated on the basis of the term itself.
nounAbnormal or excessive vaginal discharge, often white or clear. It may result from infection, hormonal changes, irritation, or other medical conditions and is sometimes used as a general term for vaginal discharge.
- Abnormal or excessive vaginal discharge, especially white or clear in appearance.
- Vaginal discharge considered generally, particularly in medical usage.
"The clinician recommended an examination to determine the cause of her persistent leukorrhea."
"Persistent leukorrhea prompted the patient to seek medical advice."
"Infections are one possible cause of leukorrhea, but not every episode indicates disease."
The plural is uncommon; medical writing often treats the condition as uncountable or uses "cases of leukorrhea."
"The clinician discussed recurrent leukorrheas with the patient."
Leukorrhea joins the Greek roots for “white” and “flow,” a fitting description of the white vaginal discharge with which it is commonly associated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leukorrhea come from?
Leukorrhea is a New Latin formation combining the Greek leukos, meaning “white,” with rheos, meaning “flow.” The resulting term literally refers to a white discharge and entered medical usage in the 19th century. Its relatives—including leukocyte, leukemia, leukopenia, and leucoderma—share the combining form leuko-, derived from the same Greek element for “white.”
Related word forms
How leukorrhea is actually used
This is primarily a medical term and may sound formal or technical in ordinary conversation. American English commonly spells it "leukorrhea," while British English usually uses "leucorrhoea." It should not be used as a self-diagnosis, and medical evaluation may be appropriate when discharge is new, persistent, bloody, foul-smelling, or accompanied by pain or itching.