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

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Short menses, short cycles

14 August, 2006
Question:

I am 46 and I think so the doctors say that I am peri menopausal..
I did not get periods for a few months and now I am getting a period every 19-20 days which allows me less than one week to be with my husband.
My period however is short – only three days even sometimes two and one half .
As long as I do proper bedika and wait the required seven clean days am I permitted to go to the mikvah on the eleventh night because my cycle is so short and period lasts for such a short time?
In the past I always waiting 12 days no matter what but now it feels like as soon as I get back from the mikveh its time to separate again in preparation for my next period.


Answer:

We’re sorry to hear of your challenging, shorter cycle.  In this case, based on the information given, the five days prior to counting the clean days cannot be shortened. If there are additional factors you have not shared with us, please get back to us.

However, it may be possible to regulate your cycle medically in a way that would allow you more time with your husband.  Please consult your physician as to the available options.  You can direct him or her to the section of our website designed for medical professionals, Jewish Women’s Health.

One other step you could take is to review the laws of ketamim, stains, just in case you are not in fact becoming niddah as often as you might think.  A flow of blood does make you niddah. However, not all stains, and not even all colors of blood, make you niddah.  See our article, on stains for more details.

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