Does Sexual Arousal Break Wudu

Assalaamu Alaykum! I have a really hard time praying nowadays because I also have an arousal problem. It is similar to PGAD but I am not sure if it is that (I know the arousal comes for no reason). Because of this, I can release madhiy anytime – sometimes it’s intermittent, sometimes it lasts for a long time but it changes everyday/it comes out different times everyday and it’s so hard for me to keep up with that and clean myself up every day and manage other things because I have depression and anxiety. It gives me a lot of hardship, makes my mental health worse and I feel scared I will give up salah. Do you know what I should do? JazakAllahu Khayran!

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of truth

Women do experience pre-ejaculatory fluid (madhi). This is a thin clear fluid that exits the body when aroused, without orgasm. Madhi does not result in sexual fulfilment. The emission of madhi results in minor ritual impurity, invalidating ablution (wudu). However, it does not necessitate a ritual bath (ghusl).

Given the frequency you mentioned, we understand it can be difficult to maintain wudu for salat. Our advice would be to try using a piece of cotton as an inter-labial paddette (kursuf). This would block the exit of discharge and allow you to maintain purity for prayer. Please see our article on Using a Kursuf for more information.

And Allah knows best.