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Bacterial vaginosis

3 July, 2022

Question:

Hello,

I am experiencing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and hoping to go to the Kupat Cholim asap to do a swab. However, I am scheduled to go to the mikvah motsai Shabbos. I have a few questions if I do, in fact, have BV:

1) Is there anything in particular I can do about the vaginal swab to avoid stains?

2) If I need to take a vaginal gel, how can I do this during the sheva nekiim? In the past, I have worn a pantiliner overnight after putting in the gel. Also, the last time I used the gel I did see some colored (not red, more like light brown) discharge on the pantiliner.

3) What should I do about bedikot between now (Tuesday) and mikvah?

4) I am assuming/hoping that this wouldn’t cause any issue of chatzitza, as the gel is administered at night.(?)

5) Is there any medical significance to the fact that a few months ago I also had BV beginning during the 7 nekiim (I didn’t test for it until after I had gone to the mikvah)?

If it makes a difference, I am on birth control pills.

Thanks so much for your help.


Answer:

We appreciate the sensitive nature of this question.

1-2) There is not much to do with the swab beyond trying to make sure that it is done gently and to avoid looking at the swab itself after removal. You can also wear a white pantyliner after the swabbing and continue to use white pantyliners through the end of the clean days. We follow the position that pantyliners are a surface not halachically susceptible to stains, so you may disregard any stains you find on a pantyliner.

3) You need to do one bedikah sometime during the day on Shabbat. You may omit further bedikot until then.

4) The gel inserted at night does not raise an issue of chatzitzah.

5) It is possible that you are more prone to infection at specific times of month. We recommend that you raise this and any other medical concerns with your physician.

We wish you a refuah sheleimah! Please be in touch with any further questions.


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