Contraceptive effect after wedding
14 December, 2003
Question:Hi.
I have never before come across this site and mistakenly stumbled upon it! What an amazing surprise! I am so impressed by the clarity of the articles and broad spectrum of topics. The halachic yashrus is also highly commendable. This site is truly a Kiddush Hashem and a true zchus for the Neshei Chayil who run it!
I have a question about birth control pills used to control menstruation in preparation for a “clean” wedding. While I do understand that birth control is not prohibited for an unmarried woman, those tablets taken up to the wedding must have an effect on the first night. I know that I was instructed by my most reliable Kallah teacher to take the pills up to and including the first night (or until successful penetration occurred).Does this not mean that a woman is in effect preventing pregnancy her first time that she is with her husband?
Although I was presented in response to this with a view brought down from kabbalah that a woman doesn’t fall pregnant from her first sexual intercourse I have subsequently been told by at least 2 women first hand that they fell pregnant on their wedding nights….
While my wedding has come and gone and therefore the question is no longer immediately relevant I often wonder whether or not my question is a valid one.
Thanking you once again.
Answer:Thank you for your kind words.
There are some authorities who are of the opinion that because the pill depresses ovulation it should not be used right before the wedding.
However, many poskim maintain that preventing chupat niddah is of great significance and therefore the pill should be used until marital relations have taken place. As with so many difficult halachic questions, one has to weigh the issues and find the proper balance.
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