Yeast infections and clean days
29 February, 2016
Question:Thank you very much for this invaluable service.
I have a couple of questions:
I am in the middle of my 7 clean days, and I am battling a yeast infection. Would it be problematic to use a suppository? I seem to get yeast infections right before, and then during, my period, but this time it's staying with me.
I also have a lot of issues with staining. It takes me a long time to get a hefsek tahara, and then my first bedika of day 1 is always problematic. The seven clean days are always a nightmare for me and are often dragged out. I feel like I'm often not nidda for just a few days before I get my period again.
Is it possible that there are any leniencies for me? This has been a big source of frustration for me.
Thank you so much.
Answer:You may use a suppository to treat your yeast infection. In this case, we suggest performing a bedikah prior to using the suppository, and not performing another bedikah until the afternoon of your seventh day. We also suggest consulting your physician about your recurrent infections.
We are sorry to hear about your difficulties during the clean days. It is possible that your staining is related to your yeast infections. In any event, it would be worthwhile to explore the causes of your staining with your physician.
We suggest that you bring any questionable stains or bedikah cloths to a halchic authority for evaluation. A Rav or Yoetzet can help you learn which stains pose questions and which do not. Additionally, you can consult about the possibility of reducing the number of bedikot performed during the clean days.
It is important to note that staining does not necessarily invalidate the clean days. In contrast to bedikot, external stains (as on undergarments) smaller in area than the size of a gris (roughly, equivalent to an American dime or Israeli shekel) do not invalidate the clean days. So too, some colors do not invalidate the clean days, either as external stains or on bedikot.
Please write back to us if we can be of further assistance.
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