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

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Dampening bedikah cloth

14 June, 2006

Question:

I find doing bedikot quite painful and irritating as I am very dry. Can I wet the cloth then squeeze it out so it is not soaking wet, then do the bedikah? I did it like this and it caused no irritation at all but I worried afterward that perhaps it was invalid because the cloth was wet beforehand.


Answer:

We are sorry to hear you are experiencing such discomfort with bedikot. You may dampen the bedikah cloth slightly and wait until it is nearly dry if that helps you perform the bedikah. We suggest you use the softest cloth you can find – an old well washed white undershirt or underwear tend to be much softer than the cloths which are sold in the store. Bedikot should not be done immediately after a shower or bath, which dry out the vagina. Waiting a half hour or so would help your body produce secretions that are a natural lubricant.

If these suggestions do not help, please get back to us so we can further advise you. Behatzlachah!


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