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

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Bleeding from polyp after menopause

26 March, 2017

Question:

I am menopausal and have not had my period for 2.5 years. Last week I felt strong cramping and saw blood in the toilet as well as on my underwear. I had staining and hargashot for about 3 days. I went to my doctor who told me that he thought it may be a polyp drying up and coming out. I also saw solid pieces in the toilet. In any case, he did a uterine biopsy with some bleeding afterward. I had heard something about the instrument having to be more than 2⁄3 of an inch to render me niddah. Here are my questions:

1) Am I niddah?

2) If I am, do I have to separate from my husband next month on the date that this staining began (Hebrew date, counting 30 days etc.– onot persiha)

3) Am I obligated to do a bedika as a menopausal woman when I feel cramping whether or not I see blood on my garment or in the toilet?


Answer:

1) Bleeding from a uterine polyp can make a woman niddah.  Based on your description here, it sounds as though you did become niddah through the bleeding that you had prior to the biopsy.  However, to be certain, we suggest calling into our telephone hotline to go through the exact details of what you saw and under what condtions.

2) Even if you are niddah, as long as you are age 53 or older, you need not observe onot perishah next month because you are post-menopausal.  (If you're younger, please get back to us with details.)  However, if you have two more episodes of bleeding that makes you niddah, you may need to observe onot perishah and should ask a specific halachic question.

3) No, you are not obligated to perform a bedikah after cramping of the type that, in your experience, may or may not be associated with bleeding.  Do get in touch with us or a local authority in such cases for halachic guidance.  You may find it helpful in the interim to review the laws of staining, as by reading our articles Stains and Toilet Paper.

Please write back with any further questions.


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