Not all browns invalidate a hefsek taharah, a moch dachuk, or a bedikah. Light brown (the color of coffee with milk or lighter) with no reddish tint is a permissible color. Browns that are darker or reddish should be evaluated by a halachic authority.

It is not only permitted, but halachically encouraged to clean yourself as thoroughly as possible before performing a hefsek taharah. The purpose of the hefsek taharah and moch dahuk is to establish that uterine bleeding has stopped. Cleaning beforehand is encouraged to avoid finding old blood on bedikot.

It is permissible to use tampons toward the end of your period to help you get a valid hefsek. Just make sure to carefully follow the package instructions about how long tampons can be left in, to avoid any risk of toxic shock syndrom, chas veshalom.

Please note that you may not clean yourself in this fashion after the hefsek taharah, prior to performing the bedikot of the seven clean days. These bedikot are intended to confirm that bleeding has not resumed after the hefsek taharah and moch dachuk. Cleaning oneself internally is permitted during the clean days, but one should wait at least fifteen minutes between washing internally and doing a bedikah. Thorough internal cleaning such as douching should be avoided. A stain found on a tampon (or any item inserted internally), during the clean days or at any other time, would be treated like a stain on a bedikah.

This response was updated on 22 October, 2025.