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

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Short cycle & staining in clean days

21 May, 2009

Question:

Shalom –

I have a 26 day cycle. My husband and I have not been blessed with children and we are anxious about it because I am 40 and he is 45. All medical tests have come back that we are both “normal”.

My rabbi said I could count 4 days and then seven white days, because I was ovulating before I went to mikvah.

This cycle my first white day there was too much of the wrong colour in my underwear. I’m afraid we’ll miss having relations in time to get pregnant, IY”H, this month.

What can I do?


Answer:

We appreciate the sensitive and pressing nature of this question.

A review of the laws of stains, as by reading our articles on stains and toilet paper, might help you to make a hefsek taharah on day four and successfully count your clean days.

In the future, please do not assume staining invalidates your clean days, but rather have it evaluated by a halachic authority.

If staining persists, you should speak to your halachic authority about the possibility of wearing colored underwear or a pantiliner during the clean days and of reducing the number of bedikot required.

Since there is already a lower chance of conception at your age, we suggest exploring the possibility of medical intervention to help you conceive. There are a number of medical treatments that can delay ovulation or enhance fertility, even when tests are normal.

You may also find it helpful to consult a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor. (This is a free service, details here.)

Behatzlacha!

This response was updated on 12 December 2020.


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