We are sorry to hear of your difficulty conceiving.

It is not clear from your question if you have tested your ovulation to determine its precise timing or if you have explored other measures to delay ovulation. Before moving ahead to treatment, we suggest first confirming that you cannot reach the mikveh sooner. You can read more about all these topics in our article on ovulating before immersion.

That being said, when necessary, IUI can be permitted during the clean days.

According to a number of halachic authorities, intrauterine insemination creates a pause within the clean days, since sperm is itself a source of ritual impurity. Our current site supervisor, Rav Kenneth Auman, does not generally require a long delay, because the insemination is pinpointed into the uterus. He would instruct a woman to pause her count just for the day of the procedure, and to clean herself internally before resuming her clean days. In practice, this would mean delaying mikveh by one night from the original schedule.

If this would place stress on the couple or if there are extenuating circumstances, then he would permit immersion to take place as originally planned, without delay, even when IUI occurs during the clean days.

We do recommend having a conversation about this. To learn more about consulting a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor, please click here.

This response was updated on 21 November, 2023.