Changes in the menstrual cycle

Q: We received this question from a female: I have not yet married. My menstrual cycle used to last for seven days during the first two years, but later it increased to nine days. It then returned as it was in the beginning and used to last for seven days, then for nine days for more than three months. My menstruation then changed and lasted for eleven days. After that, it lasted for nine days after which I would be in a state of Taharah (ritual purification) for three days, then would see signs of blood again for one day, and then return to the state of Taharah for two days. I would remain in a state of Taharah for ten days, after which my new menstrual cycle would start again just like the first time. I have been suffering from this irregularity for around three months. The blood discharged is like the menstrual blood, that is, its color varies between red and brown. Your Eminence, we hope (Part No. 4; Page No. 213) you will advise us about what this irregularity entails in order to inform the questioner about it. May Allah guide you and grant you success.

A: She should refrain from performing Salah (Prayer) and observing Sawm (Fast) when there is blood, and she should perform Ghusl (full ritual bath) after each time the bleeding stops, whether menstruation lasts for a longer or shorter period, as long as it does not last for more than fifteen days. If it lasts for more than fifteen days, she should consider it to last for seven days, as it first used to be, and regard the bleeding after these seven days as Istihadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period). Accordingly, she must perform Ghusl after the seven days and then observe Sawm and perform Salah, but on the condition of performing Wudu' (ablution) at the prescribed time of every Salah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.