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

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Reddish discharge after relations

8 November, 2021
Question:

I’ve noticed lately that after intercourse, I have discharge the next day that is reddish. I have a Mirena IUD now for 4 years and haven’t gotten a proper period since then so I very rarely become niddah. On the advice of our Rabbi, spotting does not render me niddah, especially since I wear black underwear and am not getting my periods.

I remember learning once that it is possible for intercourse to cause a woman to become niddah and this would be a cause for a husband and wife to divorce. I worry that this is what is happening to me.

Can you explain to me more about what could be causing my spotting and whether it is possible that it makes me niddah?


Answer:

The halachic concern of intercourse causing bleeding (ro’ah mechamat tashmish) does not apply to reddish discharge or staining found the next day. It applies only when blood is found during or immediately after intercourse. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about this issue.

It is possible that the staining you are finding is due to a cervical irritation. If you continue finding reddish discharge after intercourse we recommend consulting with your doctor. Another possibility is that you are experiencing light staining from the IUD, which you wouldn’t notice if not for the heavier amounts of seminal discharge after intercourse. In either case, you may continue to take precautions against becoming niddah from the staining by wearing colored underwear and waiting after urinating before wiping. See our article on stains for more details.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

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