We understand that you are anxious about ovulating prior to immersion.

The five-day minimum does not normally begin until the couple follow all the restrictions of niddah, including the harchakot. Spotting that clearly did not make you niddah cannot be counted towards the five-day minimum.

However, in your situation, there may be room for leniency if you are encountering difficulty conceiving, and in consideration of your abstaining the day before because of the spotting. Examples of difficulty conceiving might include six months of trying, medically established ovulation prior to immersion, or another medical concern. If this is the case, our former rabbinic supervisor, Rav Yehuda Henkin z"l and our current rabbinic supervisor, Rabbi Kenneth Auman ybd"l, rule that you may begin your clean days Sunday night. Please get back to us if this is unclear, and please do not hesitate to consult us with any further questions.

You may also find it helpful to schedule a consultation with a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor (a free service, details here), and to read our site’s articles and posted questions about ovulation prior to mikveh.

This response was reviewed on 17 December, 2025.