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

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Brown staining between periods

31 May, 2009
Question:

A year ago, my husband and I had a miscarriage and I had a D&C. For the 5 months following I went back to normal periods. For the last 6 months, I have had abnormal, brown spotting between my periods that lasts about 7 days. My doctor has run multiple tests and sonograms and nothing is abnormal. So, now I want to know if I'm actually niddah and if I am, if there is anything I can do to fix this naturally as I have no desire to use hormones.

Thank you so much for all of your information.


Answer:

We are sorry to hear of your miscarriage. 

We are pleased to hear that your staining isn't abnormal.  Medical treatments to reduce such staining are usually hormonal, although you could check with your physician about trying Ibuprofen, which sometimes is effective.

Halachically, it is important to realize that not all staining makes a woman niddah.  For starters, staining on colored underwear when a woman has not had a hargashah (sensation of the onset of menses) does not make a woman niddah.  So too, not all shades of brown make a woman niddah.  For example, a light brown with no hint of a reddish tint does not make a woman niddah.  We urge you to read our site's articles "Toilet Paper" and "Ketamim" (on stains), for more information. 

Taking steps such as wearing colored underwear, avoiding looking at toilet tissue (or waiting an interval between urinating and wiping), and bringing stains to a rav for evaluation when there is a question can help you avoid becoming (or mistakenly thinking you've become) niddah unnecessarily.

Please get back to us with any follow up questions.

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