Why does lochia have a fishy smell?

What is lochia? Many people don’t know, but mothers who have just given birth must know it. Lochia is the substance discharged from the vagina after giving birth, which contains blood and other tissues. This is a normal physiological change that only occurs after a woman gives birth. Generally, lochia will be discharged during the daytime after delivery. Some female friends feel that the lochia has a very strong fishy smell. Is this normal? Why does lochia have a fishy smell?

Lochia is the secretion discharged from the vagina after childbirth. It takes about three weeks for new mothers to expel lochia from their bodies after giving birth.

Lochia: Generally in the first few days after delivery, the amount of lochia is relatively large and the color is bright red, so it is also called red lochia or bloody lochia; the amount of blood will decrease 3 to 5 days after delivery, and the color of lochia will become light red, so it is called serum lochia; 10 to 14 days after delivery. The color of lochia will change to white or light yellow, so it is called white lochia.

Normal lochia will have a bloody smell and is odorless, and will be discharged about 3 weeks after delivery. The lochia of new mothers who have a caesarean section will last longer than that of mothers who have a vaginal birth. In medicine, changes in the quality, quantity, color, and smell of lochia are often observed to determine whether the uterus has recovered normally.

Several clinical manifestations of lochia:

1. Qi deficiency type lochia: Clinical manifestations include prolonged lochia, light color, large amount, no odor, a feeling of emptiness in the lower abdomen, fatigue, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, pale tongue with white coating, pale complexion, and slow and weak pulse.

Improvement method: Replenish Qi and replenish blood.

Take Buzhong Yiqi Pills, 1 pill each time, with mugwort leaves (12g) as an inducer, decocted into a soup and taken, 2 to 3 times a day. You can also take Wu Ji Bai Feng Pills, 1 pill each time, 2 to 3 times a day, with warm water.

2. Blood-heat type lochia: Clinical manifestations include continuous lochia, large amount, red color, sticky texture, fishy smell, dry mouth and throat, flushed face, red tongue, little coating, and weak and rapid pulse.

Improvement methods: nourish yin, clear away heat, consolidate Chong and stop bleeding.

Lotus Leaf Pills and Wu Ji Bai Feng Pills are used together, the former 3-6 grams each time, twice a day, the latter 1 pill (9 grams) each time, twice a day, both should be taken with warm water. You can also take Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder, 2 to 3 times a day, 6 to 9 grams each time, with warm water.

3. Blood stasis type lochia: Clinical manifestations include continuous dripping of lochia, dark color with blood clots, small amount, distension and pain in the chest and ribs, pain in the lower abdomen that is resistant to pressure, dark purple tongue with purple spots on the tip of the tongue, and a stringy or deep and strong pulse.

Improvement methods: promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis and stop bleeding.

You can take Shenghua Tang Pills, 2 to 3 times a day, 1 pill each time, with warm water. Those with blood heat and blood stasis should take it with caution. Take Wujin Pills, 2 times a day, 1 pill each time, with warm water. Take Shixiaosan twice a day, 6 to 9 grams each time, broken down with warm water. You can also take motherwort paste, 2 to 3 times a day, 10 to 20 grams each time, taken with warm water.

Normally, it is normal for the lochia to have a fishy smell because it is mixed with various uterine exudates and blood, but it should not have a foul smell. If this phenomenon occurs, it may be caused by some gynecological diseases and needs to be treated. If necessary, you can go to a regular hospital for examination and choose necessary medicines.