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

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Observing niddah while infertile

14 April, 2008
Question:

My husband is infertile (sterile – we cannot have children together) due to a medical condition during his childhood. What does this mean for our observance of taharat hamishpacha? Should I be going to the mikvah each month, or is it unnecessary (as we know we will never have children together)? If it is unnecessary, how closely should I observe the harchakot (if at all)? Thank you.


Answer:

We are sorry to hear of your husband’s infertility.

Although there is a specific concern about children being conceived during niddah, the laws of taharat hamishpachah apply irrespective of the possibility of conception.  A woman who has uterine bleeding is considered niddah whether or not she might conceive.

Pregnant couples and couples using contraception still observe these laws; similarly, your observance of taharat hamishpachah is not affected by your husband’s condition.  Every time you enter the niddah status through uterine bleeding, relations are prohibited and harchakot apply until you exit niddah through the taharah process culminating in mikveh immersion.

If you become interested in exploring your fertility options, we invite you to arrange a free consultation with a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor, details here.

This response was updated on 4 June, 2020.

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