Menopause Symptoms and Bleeding

Salam, I am 47 yrs old I have been going through menopausal symptoms for almost 7/8yrs in the last 2 yrs my periods has stopped completely doc have said I’m going through menopause I was put on HRT, it’s been almost 14months. But I have had bleeding only in Ramadan 2020 and 2021. For almost 10 days . My usual period only lasted 5/7 days when I had it. I’ve been tolled I should still class this as my period. I have made up my fast. so from last Ramadan it’s been 6 months i had no bleeding. My Question now is that I’ve been fasting for last 17 days, and I’ve started to bleeding today, so do I class this as my period cos I only seem to start bleeding if I fast. While fasting I haven’t changed anything in my diet or medication. Please can you let me know if can still fast and pray while bleeding weather it’s 3 days or 10. Do I class this as period or just my body reacting to me fasting or for some medical reason as it only happens when am fasting. Jazkallah

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of truth

In matters where sacred law is in conflict with medical advice or analysis, sacred law takes precedence. According to Islamic law a woman is menopausal when she reaches 55 lunar years (53 solar years and 4 months). Before this age, any colour of blood will be considered menstruation (hayd).

After this age, vaginal bleeding will only be considered hayd if it is black or red or if it is the colour she experienced before menopause and it continues for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days and nights). Any other colour will be considered irregular bleeding (istihada).

Since you are 47 years old, the bleeding will be hayd if it reaches the minimum of 72 hours. As long as the blood continues for 3 days and 3 nights it will be hayd up to a maximum of 10 days and 10 nights.

And Allah knows best.