Expert: Brenda Martin - 3/14/2006

Question
Can you tell me what the Jehovah's Witness standpoint is on women's menstruation?
Is it permissable to have sexual intercourse while menstruating?
And are there any restrictions or special practices pertaining to menstruation at all?

Answer
“Unclean” Under Law.

According to the Mosaic Law, a woman was considered unclean for seven days during normal menstruation. The bed or any other articles upon which the menstruating woman might lie or sit were also rendered unclean. Anyone touching her or items she had made unclean was required to wash his garments and bathe, and that one remained unclean until the evening. If her menstrual impurity came to be upon a man lying down with her (as when, unwittingly, a husband had sexual relations with his wife at the beginning of menstruation), he was rendered unclean for seven days, and the bed upon which he might lie down was considered unclean.

If a man and a woman deliberately cohabited during her menstrual impurity, they were cut off in death. (Le 18:19; 20:18) The prohibiting of sexual union during menstruation probably contributed to health, perhaps preventing, for instance, the occurrence of inflammation in the genital area, simple urethritis. The Israelites also may have been reminded of the sanctity of blood by the Law's regulations involving menstruation or blood flow. These rules were not discriminatory against women, for men were subject to uncleanness by discharges to which they were prone. (Le 15:1-17) Especially did regulations concerning menstruation show Jehovah's consideration for womankind.

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Christians today however are NOT under the Mosaic law. (Rom. 6:14) But they rightly give due consideration to the principles set forth therein and strive to live in harmony with these principles. The fact that deliberate intercourse during a woman's menstrual period carried the death penalty reveals the seriousness with which Jehovah God viewed this matter. Christians should therefore want to consider what is natural, fitting and becoming in deciding what they can personally do in good conscience.

The intimacies of a married couple, of course, are not something that is investigated by elders. If approached for help about such matters, these elders may give appropriate counsel, but their authority ends there. Like all other Christians, married people will want to strengthen themselves spiritually by heeding their internal sense of what is proper. Also, they will appreciate Jehovah God's interest in how they conduct their marital affairs.

Brenda