Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Hormonally induced bleeding after menopause

17 December, 2006
Question:

I am a postmenopausal woman and I have not had a period in 13 years.

I am now taking hormones and for the first time since I am taking them I had a period of 5 days bleeding.

According to the doctor's office the bleeding was caused by the buildup of hormones since there are no eggs at this point in my life.

I am wondering if I am still required to wait 7 clean days and go to the mikveh afterward, even though I am postmenopause and the hormone drugs that I am taking are the cause of the bleeding.

Thank you.


Answer:

Since the bleeding originates in the uterus, you are considered niddah even though it is not the result of ovulation. You must therefore count seven clean days (once all bleeding has stopped as indicated by a hefsek taharah) with their accompanying bedikot, and then immerse in the mikveh as you once did. Be sure to brush up on the halachot if you do not remember them, and please feel free to get back to us with any further questions relating to this process.

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