Bleeding due to Sexual Relations
Some people are very sensitive to the emotional and physical experience
of sexual intercourse and will occasionally menstruate while having
relations. Other women might have the same phenomenon of menstruation due
to a gynecological disorder. Whatever the reason, if a woman does have
this condition she should consult her doctor in addition to her rabbi.
1. If a couple was having sexual intercourse and the woman informed her
husband that she just became niddah as she felt her uterus open and pour
out blood. It is absolutely forbidden for the husband to pull out while
still erect as he will be stimulated by that act. Such stimulation is
considered as if he has intentionally had relations with a niddah.
Instead the couple should wait without moving, until his erection
subsides and he becomes flaccid. While they are waiting the couple should
minimize, to the degree possible, any bodily contact between them, (i.e.
the husband should lift himself up on his hands and knees). The couple
should repent this sin, even though it was inadvertent.
2. If the couple remembered that it was the time that she was expecting
to menstruate, during intercourse, they must immediately separate. If he
is worried that he will ejaculate outside her then the couple should
follow the suggestions of the previous law.
3. There is a very rare but troublesome condition which may plague a
woman: That is menstruating as a result of sexual relations. Under
certain conditions the couple must separate if this condition persists.
4. This rule only applies if she checked herself immediately following
intercourse. If she then found blood she is considered to have
menstruated as a result of sexual relations. If this happens the couple
should consult their rabbi (and doctor) and follow his instructions
carefully.
5. Additionally, if her husband finds blood even a very long time after
having relations she is considered to have seen as a result of those
relations.
6. If a woman who has a fixed period had relations close to the time that
she was expecting her period: ie. she expects her period to come during
the day and had relations the night before, this bleeding is not
considered to have resulted from marital relations, rather it is
considered to be her normal menstruation.
7. If there is a wound in the vagina which might be bleeding, the woman
is not considered to have seen due to relations.
8. A woman who has such a wound which might be bleeding, is considered
niddah and must do a hefseq betahara and count seven clean days and
immerse without a beracha unless she is sure that the wound is bleeding.
If she is certain that the wound was bleeding she does not become niddah,
and may continue having relations with her husband.
9. If she knows that the blood from her wound looks different than her
menstrual blood she can not assume the blood which looks like menstrual
blood to be from the wound. If she sees what looks like menstrual blood
she is niddah and if the menstruation occurred during intercourse, she is
considered to have seen blood due to relations.
10. A woman is believed if she says that she has a wound and that
it is bleeding. In such a case she is not niddah at all. The woman is
believed even if such a claim is made during the “seven clean days.”
11. If a doctor tells her that she has a wound he is believed. This is
the case regardless of whether the doctor is not observant or even non-
Jewish.
12. A woman who checks herself thoroughly and consistency finds a stain
in the same location and does not find blood in any other spots can
assume that these stains come from a wound in that spot, especially if
in that spot she feels a little pain and feels nothing in other spots.
In any event a rabbi should be consulted.
13. If a woman has a wound which is bleeding, and she also feels her
uterus opening and her body shaking (or any other physical sensation
usually associated with her menstruation) she cannot assume that the
blood is from the wound. Rather she is considered Niddah and must
behave accordingly. (The only difference being that she does not recite a
blessing for the immersion because she is of uncertain niddah status.)
This applies only if she had these feelings and saw the blood around the
time she expected to menstruate, or an average period of 30 days from her
last menstruation. In other times she can assume that the blood is from
the wound.
14. A woman with a wound is not niddah even if she found blood stains.
(see chapter discussing stains)
15. If a woman who has had her period three times from relations has
seen a doctor who claims to have cured her through the use of accepted
medical practice she may remain happily married to her husband.
16. If such a problem comes up even once there are several rules which
need to be known. Your rabbi should be consulted, and often the aid of a
doctor is required.
17. A woman who sees blood while urinating is not considered niddah as
the blood is assumed to have come out with the urine and not from the
uterus. 13