Pseudo menstruation in neonates: Be sure before pointing fingers.

Pseudo menstration

Collins dictionary defined pseudo as a form of adjective or noun that indicate something is not the thing it is claimed to be. This means Pseudo menstruation looks like menstruation but it’s not actually menstruation. The increasing rate of pedophilic epidemy requires one to be extra sure in order to avoid wrong accusations.
Neonates are newborns of 28days or below during this period, some female newborns experience a particular hormonal sensitivity or insensitivity which leads to Neonatal Uterine Bleeding also known as Pseudo menstruation in neonates. It occurs in approximately 5% of newborns and presents similarly as menstrual bleeding.
A newborn menstruating might be a low tune issue for certain individuals as it may be considered weird but, it is totally normal and will last for only few days and will not even occur again until probably after a decade when the child experience her menarche.
Hormones from the mother are some of the chemicals that pass through the placenta into the baby’s blood during pregnancy, the withdrawal of the hormones from the body may lead to;

  • vaginal bleeding
  • thick, milky discharge from the vagina
  • the outside of the vagina ( labia majors and clitoris) will be a little bit swollen and prominent.
    All these usually do not last for a long time.
    When To Worry
    Visit your pediatrician if;
  • an awful smell accompanies the discharge as this could be an infection .
  • the bleeding doesn’t subside after few days.
  • profuse bleeding.
    Withdrawal bleeding after birth as it is sometimes called is a scant vaginal discharge that reflects the physiological response of some female newborns to an exposure to high level of maternal hormones in the womb.
    When a mother or care provider notices some of the signs of pseudo menstruation in a newborn, it’s is totally normal for such person to be scared but to rule out any form of foul play, visit a pediatrician to confirm if there is indeed penetration before pointing accusing fingers.

About the Author

Akinlabi Bisola has a Bachelors degree in Health Education and Masters Degree in Public Health Education. She is the founder of The Health Educator's Library Consultant and a Trained and certified first aider. She is a Social Media for Health and Development Expert (GHEL) as well as a Health Communication Expert (GHEL).
She runs a podcast called THEC with Bisola and a website called Thelbybisola.com

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