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

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Does IUI make me a niddah?

16 September, 2003

Question:

Does intrauterine insemination (IUI) put me into niddah status? If so, for how long? I am going to undergo this procedure soon.


Answer:

The IUI procedure does not make a woman niddah.

The two main halachic concerns with gynecological procedures are cervical dilation and uterine bleeding.

Regarding cervical dilation, we follow the position that the instruments used for IUI do not dilate the cervix to the point where a woman would become niddah.

Bleeding following IUI is typically a result of pincers used to hold the cervix. It is considered dam makkah (blood from a wound), which does not make a woman niddah.

Although IUI does not make a woman niddah, if the procedure takes place during the seven clean days it generally creates a pause in counting and delays mikveh immersion. Please see our discussion here for further details.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. 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 November, 2023.


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