How to distinguish lochia from menstruation

How to distinguish lochia from menstruation?

The distinction between lochia and menstruation can be made by bleeding time, amount of bleeding, color of bleeding, odor, and examination.

1. Bleeding time:

Lochia is mainly caused by blood, necrotic decidua and other tissues flowing out through the vagina after natural childbirth or caesarean section. It lasts for a long time, usually about one month. Menstruation is the periodic shedding of the endometrium, usually once a month, with more regular intervals, and the bleeding time is 3 to 7 days.

2. Amount of bleeding:

Lochia is the turbid fluid left in the uterine cavity after the delivery of the fetus and placenta. As the uterus recovers, it will gradually be discharged from the body, and the amount of bleeding is generally large. Menstruation has more bleeding within 1 to 2 days, and then slowly disappears.

3. Bleeding color:

The color of lochia is different from that of menstruation. The color of lochia will change over time. It is generally blood red in the early stage and turns white or yellow in the later stage. The color of menstruation is mainly red or dark red, and the color will not change.

4. Smell:

The smell of lochia is bloody and has no odor. In addition to the smell of blood, menstruation may also have a rusty smell, which is caused by the oxidation of hemoglobin in the blood by air.

5. Inspection:

If you are not sure whether it is lochia or menstruation, you can go to the hospital for an abdominal B-ultrasound to determine. If you find that the uterus has not returned to its normal size, it is usually lochia. If the uterus returns to normal, it is menstruation.

Whether it is lochia or menstruation, you must maintain good personal hygiene, wash frequently and avoid infection.