Conduct after onot have passed

I went off of the birth control pill 4 weeks ago, in order to try to get pregnant. Due to periods that previously lasted for a long time (14-21 days), I have been on the pill for 8 years (since age 17).

My Onat Prisha was on Monday in the day. On the pill, I normally get my period between 8-10 AM on Monday morning. It is now Wednesday (2 days later) and I have not gotten my period. My gynecologist assures me that this can happen when going off the pill, and says that I should not be concerned unless I still have not begun to menstruate in 2-3 more weeks.

In the meantime, what is permitted in my relationship with my husband? Should I be doing bedikot daily, or in each onah?

Thank you so much!

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Once all your onot perishah have passed, you are no longer obligated to do bedikot. Between onot, and after your last onah, you are permitted to continue with all aspects of a physical relationship with your husband.

In your situation, we suggest that you wear light colored underwear and be aware of what is going on, since you don't know when to expect your next period. It may also be advisable to check for bleeding before having relations with your husband, but you are not obligated to do so. You do not need to do an actual bedikah, which would make you niddah if you found blood. Instead, you can wipe externally with toilet paper, not after urinating. If you find blood on the paper, you should abstain until the bleeding either clears up or becomes a period, but you are not considered niddah and do not need to count seven clean days and use the mikveh.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases.

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