​Neonatal pseudomenstruation

Everyone knows that after women enter puberty, the female hormones in their bodies are secreted rapidly, which causes menstruation. However, some parents found that their newborn girls had symptoms of genital bleeding. This phenomenon is medically called neonatal pseudomenstruation. The cause of this phenomenon is closely related to the estrogen in women's bodies. So what are the causes of false menstruation in newborns?

Some newborn girls suddenly have bloody discharge from their vagina 5 to 7 days or 1 to 2 weeks after birth, which often causes panic in their parents, who think they have an incurable disease. In fact, there is no need to be afraid of this phenomenon, nor does it require treatment. This is medically known as false menstruation. The cause of false menstruation is due to maternal factors. In the late pregnancy, the mother's estrogen level is higher. These estrogens may enter the fetus through the placenta and maintain a high level in the fetus.

After the baby is born, the vaginal epithelium and endometrium proliferate. However, at this time, the influence of the mother's estrogen has been interrupted after the umbilical cord is cut off, and the proliferating vaginal epithelium and endometrium begin to fall off, causing vaginal bleeding. The vaginal bleeding will disappear naturally after a few days. But at this time it is important to pay attention to washing with warm water to prevent infection, because once infected, the newborn's resistance is weak and sepsis is likely to occur.

After the doctor confirms that the newborn has false menstruation and lactation, the problem can be solved by cutting the hymen at the protrusion of the vagina and releasing the secretions.

In addition, some newborns, regardless of gender, will have swollen breasts about a week after birth, such as the size of a broad bean or a pigeon egg, and some can even squeeze out a little yellow-white milk. The above two situations are normal phenomena and are related to the effect of the pregnant mother's estrogen on the baby. There is no need to worry or seek treatment.

Some old people say, "A newborn girl's breasts must be squeezed to squeeze out the milk so that her milk ducts will be unblocked when she gives birth and feeds her baby in the future." This statement has no scientific basis. Forcibly squeezing the breasts of a newborn may cause bacteria to invade and cause breast suppuration, and in severe cases it may lead to sepsis. Therefore, the breasts of a newborn must not be squeezed casually.