We are sorry to hear of your difficulties with spotting.

We recommend discussing this with your physician, who may be able to recommend a medical approach to reducing or eliminating the staining. You should explain to him or her that even if the spotting is not medically problematic, it creates significant difficulties for you and your husband. You may find our Jewish Women’s Health articles for medical professionals to be helpful in communicating your concerns.

Some women have also found complementary treatments, such as herbal remedies or traditional Chinese medicine, to be helpful in dealing with irregular bleeding. You may want to consult a professional in these areas.

On a halachic level – if the bleeding is heavy enough to require a tampon, and a single pantiliner would not be enough to easily contain it over the course of a day, it does make you niddah. If it is lighter, it is considered staining and should be evaluated accordingly (please see our article on Stains for details). If staining is found only on disposable pantiliners, colored underwear, and toilet paper (after waiting at least a few seconds after urinating before wiping), it should not make you niddah. Any amount of blood found internally – for example, on a tampon – will make you niddah.

If the bleeding subsides to the point where you can count the seven clean days, you may reduce the number of bedikot to the hefsek taharah, one each on the first and seventh clean day, and preferably one more on an intermediate clean day.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions. B’hatzlacha!