IVF procedures do not in themselves make a woman niddah: egg removal does not involve the uterus; embryo transfer is consistently performed with a small instrument that does not raise niddah-related questions about uterine opening.

Sometimes bleeding accompanies an IVF procedure. If this is the case, the physician should be consulted as to the probable cause of bleeding and that information should be brought to an halachic authority. In any case, there is no obligation to look for bleeding and it is usually best for a woman undergoing IVF not to look for bleeding, and to take precautions with staining as detailed in our articles on stains and toilet paper.

For more information on fertility treatments and halacha, please see the “Fertility” section of our site.

As you navigate fertility treatment, it may also prove helpful to arrange a free consultation with a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor, details here.

This response was updated on 3 June, 2021.