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

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Mikveh without relations

16 September, 2007
Question:

Is one allowed to go to the mikvah knowing that relations will not be able to be resumed because of medical reasons? Does mikvah need to be postponed until relations can resume even if it is for several weeks?


Answer:

Even when relations must be postponed for medical reasons, mikveh immersion is permissible and recommended.  Mikveh immersion enables the husband and wife to enjoy other forms of closeness short of relations.  Additionally, mikveh immersion facilitates one spouse caring for the other, as when one spouse is ill. 

A further consideration is that sometimes the medical assessment of when relations are permissible may change.  In such a case, having already immersed could enable the couple to resume relations without delay.

Refuah sheleimah!

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