Monthly spotting after subtotal hysterectomy

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August 18, 2006

Question

I had a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy three weeks ago. I still have my ovaries and cervix. My surgeon told me that some women experience spotting for several months post-op during what would have been the time of their menses. This bleeding is from a "tongue" of endometrial tissue that sometimes remains in the cervix even after cauterization. If this does happen to me, will it render me a niddah?

Thank you.

Answer

After the surgery, bleeding that continues from endometrial tissue may render you niddah. If the bleeding can be shown to be from elsewhere, such as a lesion that is seen in the vaginal canal, then the spotting would not be a halachic concern.

We encourage you to take preventative measures to avoid becoming niddah from spotting. You should wear wear colored underwear and be careful to wait when wiping after urinating. See our article on stains for more details.

We wish you refuah shleimah.