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Dehydration from fertility treatment

20 July, 2016
Question:

My question is related to fasting on Tish’a B’Av this year.

I am in the middle of fertility treatments right now. I am taking a daily injection of Gonal–f to induce follicle maturation. I am experiencing many side effects, including dehydration (feeling parched, headaches, dizziness, nausea, etc.) I may or may not be still taking the injections come Sunday (the fast day) and I am worried about not drinking at all. Can you advise me about this?

Thank you so much.

May this be our last Tisha B’Av in mourning.


Answer:

Usually Tisha B’av is treated stringently, and unless someone feels very ill she should do her best to fast. This is typically the case at this stage of fertility treatment as well. (See more here.)

However, since the fast of Tisha B’Av is nidcheh (pushed off from Shabbat to Sunday) this year, as soon as you feel dehydrated you may recite havdalah and begin drinking (even juice, not just water). If drinking does not help you recover, you may begin eating.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions. As you move through treatment, you may also find it helpful to arrange a free consultation with a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor, details here.

B’Hatzlacha!

This response was updated on 23 May, 2021.

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