Prolonged staining and abstaining
14 April, 2013
Question:I have had Mirena for about 6 weeks. I bH was able to go to the Mikvah. For the past week I have been feeling wetness in my black underpants. I do not need a pad, there is not a flow, but definitely moisture enough for me to feel when I am slightly wet.
Your site recommends abstaining for 24 hours. My question is really that each day now for about 6 days I have either suspected some spotting or felt moisture in my underpants and on my skin. I have been careful not to look at toilet paper, but while doing laundry once I did see what looked red on the black underwear and so I am assuming that the moisture I am feeling has all been spotting.
If I abstain I would not be having relations all this week. As you say, the reason for abstaining is to wait and see what will come about.
So, can I continue to ignore and be careful not to look, and even after relations not look at any tissues, or should we abstain until I feel dry?
Answer:We do recommend abstaining for twenty-four hours when a woman has staining that does not make her niddah. We are careful to note that this is a recommendation, not a strict halachic requirement.
In cases such as yours, where non-niddah staining is prolonged, abstaining could extend for a very long time. Staining during the adjustment to Mirena can take months to resolve. Thus, in your case, you could have relations – being careful not to look for stains. Use colored sheets, and wipe yourselves with colored towels, or with tissues that you do not look at. You may also try to time relations for when you seem to have less incidence of the wetness you describe.
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. All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional.
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