Gynecological exam during neki'im

I am 44 years old and gave birth 5.5 weeks ago to a baby boy (our fifth child).I started counting 7 clean days tonite. I have an appt at the gynecologist next week (the day i should be going to the mikva) I assume she will do a regular gynecological exam. will this make me nidda and will i have to start counting 7 clean days again?

also---I would like to use some form of birth control.I have multiple fibroids and had been using estrafem and hexacapron to minimize bleeding. birth control pills would have the same effect. Can i use bcp?I am nursing full time.

thank you

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Mazal tov on the birth of your son!

A regular gynecological exam does not usually render a woman niddah, since only uterine bleeding renders a woman niddah.  However, since non-uterine bleeding can result from an examination, be sure to ask your physician if anything she is doing might cause bleeding, why, and from where.  See our articles on speculum exams and manual exams for more information. 

Even bleeding that does not render you niddah can complicate the clean days, when you wear whites and perform bedikot.  To simplify matters, you might consider delaying your appointment until the day after mikveh immersion.  If you do not change the date, just be sure to perform your bedikah (if possible, both of them) prior to the appointment.  If the appointment is before the late afternoon, then you may omit your second bedikah.  Even if there is any staining prior to mikveh, if it is consistent with the doctor's explanation, then you may immerse.

With regards to contraception, it is best to consult with a rabbi with whom you have a personal relationship.  If you would like a ruling from our site's rabbi, Rav Yehuda Henkin, please write back with details about your children and their ages and any other information you think should be relevant. 

In choosing what method of birth control to pursue, you would consult your physician for the best medical options and then get back to the rabbi who granted you the ruling. 

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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