Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Extended breakthrough bleeding

9 May, 2005
Question:

After suffering a recent miscarriage and having two d&c’s, I have had numerous problems with contractions and breakthrough bleeding and not been able to get to mikveh for many weeks. I do have a large uterine fibroid that may be causing these complications and I don’t know when I will have successfully be able to count to go to the mikvah.

I am a newlywed. To go through all this emotional trauma compromises shalom bayit, particularly when I cannot go to the mikvah week after week even though I do not have a period.

Medically I have asked a few doctors how much longer these symptoms will continue – no one has an answer. And halachically no one will give us a heter for anything. Can you help?


Answer:

We are sorry you are going through such a difficult time. Halachically, there are a number of things you could do that we hope will help you get to the mikveh.

1. If you are able to get a clean hefsek, you should minimize the number of bedikot you do during the seven clean days. You must perform a hefsek, and one bedikah on the first day and one on the seventh day of shivah neki’im, and it is a good idea to add a bedikah in the middle on the third or fourth day, at a time that you suspect you are not staining. Any problematic bedikot should be shown to a rabbi, and be sure you explain your situation in detail as you did in your email. Extenuating circumstances are an important consideration in halachic ruling.

2. If you are experiencing problems with staining on underwear as well, please let as know as there may be halachic interventions for this. Avoid looking at toilet paper at all times in order to avoid additional problems with staining.

3. Once you have gone to the mikveh, BE”H, be sure to wear only colored underwear, and as always, avoid looking at toilet paper.

4. Medically, you should ask your health care professional if you could be treated for the fibroid. You should also explain your situation to the doctor (that according to Jewish law you are forbidden from all physical contact with your husband as long as you experience uterine bleeding), and see if any additional possible cause of bleeding could be detected which may be either treatable or used as important halachic information in determining your status. You may want to refer your physician to the section of our website designed for medical professionals, Jewish Women’s Health, so he or she can better understand your concerns.

If your D&C was recent, it is possible that you are still bleeding from the procedure. If you would like to get back to us with more details, there may be additional help we could offer.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases. All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional. For further questions or comments:  The Nishmat Women's Health and Halacha Site is a public service of Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women. This project and others like it are made possible by contributions from people like you. If you have benefited from the service, and wish to enable us to help others, click here to donate.
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