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

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Regular monthly spotting on Mirena

15 February, 2009

Question:

I have had a Mirena IUD for 2 years, since shortly after giving birth. During this time I had intermittent staining – sometimes halachically problematic, sometimes not. For the last 2 months I have had staining at intervals of about a month. Both times, after having accidentally looked at the toilet paper, I became a nidda.

This month, I have passed all of my onot prisha without having any spotting. I am wondering if I begin to spot within the next few days, if it is not spotting that would be halachically problematic, would it still be a problem since the regularity of the spotting is probably an indication of getting a light period.


Answer:

The regularity of your spotting does not change its halachic status in this case.  Thus, you have no requirement to perform bedikot in anticipation of spotting and should avoid looking at toilet paper.

It is worth noting for the future that we do not generally calculate vesatot based on spotting alone, independent of a flow.  In other words, spotting that makes you niddah when there is no subsequent flow does not entail an obligation to observe vesatot.

We recommend reading our article "Toilet Paper" for more information about the halachic status of stains found on toilet paper and getting back to us with any questions. 

We usually advise women who have spotting that does not make them niddah to abstain from relations until about twenty-four hours after it subsides to be sure that a flow does not begin.  Please note that this is a precaution and not a halachic requirement.


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