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

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Brown stains after relations

11 July, 2007

Question:

I am on the birth control Yasmin. I usually take two packs in a row and then get my period. This month I decided to take three packs in a row. Last night following intercourse, as I was wiping myself, I saw some dark and light brown stains on a white surface. I wiped again last night and this morning and I found nothing else. I know its possible to spot while on a third pack of birth control but I dont know if this is considered spotting because I did not see any blood. I was hoping you could help me clarify what exactly this might be?

Thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it.


Answer:

Extending cycles with the pill to this extent can often lead to breakthrough bleeding, which may well render a woman niddah.  Additionally, any changes in pill taking should be discussed with a physician.

In your case, if you wiped yourself with tissues or toilet paper after at least fifteen seconds had elapsed from withdrawal, then what you found could be disregarded as a stain on a surface that does not render women niddah.  See our pages on stains and toilet paper for more details.

If you found the stains on a white cloth, then your status depends on the exact shade of brown.  Dark browns sometimes do render a woman niddah, although a halachic authority could evaluate the stain and might be lenient.

If you found the stains within fifteen seconds after intercourse, on any type of surface, a halachic authority should definitely be consulted as there is a particular concern about blood found after relations.


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