In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R’ Avraham

In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

Bleeding from progesterone post-menopause
May 14, 2017

Question

I am a 60 year old post-menopausal woman. I have thickening of the endometrial wall (14 cm). After one negative biopsy and 3 months of no change in the thickness the Dr. put me on 10 mg progesterone 1x per day (about 3 and a half weeks ago.) After 2 weeks I started bleeding… heavily, which she had said could be a side effect of the drug. We've done another ultrasound and another biopsy (waiting for results). I am still bleeding after 10 days. She has told me I can stop the progesterone pills "for a few days" in order for the bleeding to stop.

When I have a full "clean day" do I do a hefsek taharah? Am I counting 7 clean days for immersion? Was all this hormonal bleeding "Niddah Blood?" I was told six months ago when we asked a sha'alah of our local Posek that the bleeding that was the result of the first biopsy was not "Niddah Blood" and immersion wasn't necessary. But this feels more profound and I'm not sure what to do…

Answer

While the initial bleeding from the biopsy was considered dam makkah (blood from a wound), which does not render a woman niddah, the extended bleeding you are currently experiencing is uterine bleeding triggered by the progesterone and not caused by a wound. Therefore you were rendered niddah from this bleeding.

Once the bleeding stops you should perform a hefsek taharah and count seven clean days before immersing. If you continue to experience staining, or if the bedikot are causing discomfort, please be in touch with us or your local posek about reducing the number of bedikot.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

B'hatzlacha!
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