Maintaining awareness of bleeding without becoming niddah

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March 20, 2005

Question

I have never had spotting problems but twice in the past few months I have had a situation around “mikveh day” when there has been some spotting (I am still nursing, my fourth, an 11-month old). I have read many times, “just don’t look”–but this is very important information which must be brought up with my doctor. Can you explain the balance between “ignorance is bliss” for the sake of niddah, and assuring one’s health?

Answer

We agree that it’s important to maintain awareness of spotting for medical reasons. Fortunately, it is possible to monitor spotting while still avoiding finding discharge that could make you niddah.

Once you have been to mikveh, you should wear colored underwear or disposable pantyliners to take advantage of the leniencies of stains. You can choose lighter-colored underwear, on which stains would be visible but would not make you niddah.

Regarding toilet paper, we recommend waiting about fifteen seconds between urinating and wiping. After the fact, we follow the view that stains on toilet paper do not make you niddah as long as you waited at least a few seconds before wiping.

If the staining begins before you get to mikveh, and is making it difficult to complete the clean days, please get back to us.

Please see our pages on Stains, Toilet Paper, and Feminine Hygiene Products for more detailed explanations, and write back with any further questions.

This response was updated on 31 January, 2024.

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