In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R’ Avraham

In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

Hymen tag
November 15, 2017

Question

I recently went to a gynecologist, and she mentioned that I have a hymen tag (hymen tissue that still remains, and won't go away with further intercourse). She said that I could get it removed, or leave it for now and it will be dealt with once I have children, iyh. At the time I said no to removal, as the thought of a procedure made me uncomfortable. However, she mentioned that a side effect of leaving it there is that it could cause bleeding from time to time after intercourse. Would that bleeding be of concern from a niddah perspective? If so, to avoid becoming needlessly niddah, should I go ahead with the procedure now?

Answer

Except in the very specific circumstances of dam betulim, bleeding from hymeneal tissue does not make a woman niddah.
You can generally avoid questions altogether by being careful with the "Precautions for Marital Relations" outlined on our page on Stains. Please also review our page on bleeding and marital relations; in general, blood could be attributed to the hymen tag and would not make you niddah.
Ultimately, this is your decision to make. You may find that taking care of it now, generally a straightforward procedure, will save you trouble later. Or you can wait and see if it in fact causes trouble.
Please write back with any further questions.

Yoatzot Halacha: Answering Women’s Halachic Questions

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