We appreciate your sharing this question with us.

Indeed, we agree that the first step to addressing halachic problems is to seek halachic solutions, especially since halacha itself takes concerns with the health effects of these medications into account.

The first advice we offer a woman ovulating before mikveh is to check whether she really has to remain in niddah as long as she thinks. Many women with longer periods actually have brownish discharges for a few days at the end, which may in fact be permissible. Often, by asking halachic questions about the hefsek taharah, bedikot, or stains, women can complete their clean days and reach the mikveh days earlier than they had been, and this resolves the issue.

We also encourage women to confirm medically that they are consistently ovulating before mikveh. Tracking ovulation at home for several cycles can be helpful initially, although the most accurate way to determine ovulation is through blood tests and ultrasounds.

Just permitting immersion a few days early across the board, however, is not a simple halachic solution. The Torah defines two separate categories of uterine bleeding, niddah and zivah. According to Torah law, a woman who is a zavah must count seven blood free days (shivah neki’im) before immersing in the mikveh. Due to the lack of expertise in certain aspects of this complex area of halacha, we cannot distinguish between those women who are niddah and could immerse after day seven, and those who are zavah and require shivah neki’im.

Fortunately, halachic and medical strategies have been developed to address some of the difficulties presented by early ovulation. Additionally, in many cases, early ovulation is associated with other medical factors that contribute to difficulty conceiving and that respond to treatment. While no medicine is completely risk free, the benefits of hormonal manipulation may sometimes outweigh the risk. If a woman is particularly high risk, she should return to her physician and halachic authority for further advice as to how to proceed.

To help optimize the solutions offered to women facing these issues, Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor offer free consultations, details here.

This response was updated on 16 December 2020.