How to distinguish lochia from menstruation?

How to distinguish lochia from menstruation?

Whether it is lochia or menstruation can be distinguished by time, symptoms and examination.

1. Time:

Lochia mainly occurs after natural childbirth or caesarean section, and usually lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks and gradually disappears. Menstruation is a female physiological cycle, mainly affected by estrogen. Menstruation occurs once a month, about 3 to 7 days each time, but because each person's menstrual cycle is different, the specific time cannot be generalized.

2. Symptoms:

Lochia is initially red, with more bleeding, but also contains a lot of mucus and necrotic decidual tissue, so it is easy to confuse it with menstruation, but as the body gradually recovers, the color of lochia will slowly lighten, from light red to white, until it eventually disappears. The color of menstruation is mainly red and dark red, with more bleeding for 1 to 2 days, and then it will slowly disappear. If there are irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, etc., dark brown, blood clots, etc. may also appear.

3. Inspection:

If you are still unsure, you can go to the hospital for an abdominal B-ultrasound. If you find that the uterus has not returned to its normal size, it is usually a sign of lochia. Vice versa.

In any case, you must maintain personal hygiene, clean frequently, change sanitary pads frequently to avoid infection. And do a good job of diet adjustment and abdominal warmth to avoid affecting physical recovery.