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

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IUD insertion in clean days

3 May, 2007

Question:

I had a baby six months ago and got my first period after the baby turned 5 months. I did a hefsek and counted seven clean days. I got an IUD on the 7th clean day. I had planned to go to the mikvah that night but the IUD caused spotting, so I didn't go. The spotting lasted 3 days and has now stopped. Can I go to the mikvah or do I wait another 7 days?


Answer:

Whether IUD insertion itself renders a woman niddah is subject to halachic debate.  Our site's position is that IUD insertion itself is generally carried out with a very small instrument and does not render a woman niddah.  The question that remains is whether any bleeding that results (over the next few days) can be ascribed to trauma from the insertion, in which case it would not render a woman niddah or invalidate her clean days.

Our site's rabbinic supervisor, R Yehuda Henkin rules that bleeding following insertion does render a woman niddah, unless she can establish medically that the blood is from uterine trauma.  To establish this medically, either the doctor would have to say he caused uterine trauma consistent with the bleeding, or such trauma would have to be visible on inspection.  Ideally, at insertion, a woman should ask her physician if he caused trauma or sees bleeding from the insertion.  

Thus, depending on your local rabbi's ruling on this issue, you may have to make a new hefsek taharah and count a new seven days.  That would be Rav Henkin's ruling, barring any additional medical information, as above.


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.

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