Hormonal Intervention for Religious Concerns: A Halakhic and Ethical Discussion

Estrogen and/or progesterone are used for such diverse applications as alleviation of menopausal symptoms, the treatment of acne and contraception. This use has been extended within the Jewish community to manipulation of a woman’s menstrual cycle to circumvent problems that can arise in connection with the observance of the area of Jewish law known as hilkhot nidah (laws of impurity due to uterine discharges). Considerations include ensuring that marital relations are permitted on a couple’s wedding night or other special occasions (e.g., vacations), or at the time of ovulation, so that conception can occur. A number of concerns about this practice, particularly in the context of delaying ovulation, have been raised. The goal of this paper is to discuss a number of ethical and halakhic concerns that have not yet been addressed.