Ruling on a Woman with Irregular Menstrual Cycle After Age 50

Question

A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle of five days and has now surpassed the age of fifty is experiencing bleeding for more than ten days, with some days showing yellow discharge. This situation has persisted for over six months. What is her ruling according to Sayyid Sistani? [AR_ID:5421]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

Firstly, we have a consideration regarding the precise determination of the age of menopause for women, and we see it necessary to exercise caution in this matter. Women can refer to a qualified jurist who has a ruling on this issue.

Secondly, the repeated occurrence of bleeding for more than ten days over several months does not prevent her from still having a regular cycle (five days as per the question). Therefore, it is obligatory for her to exercise caution during the first five days of the second bleeding, observing the prohibitions of menstruating women and the actions of a woman experiencing irregular bleeding. The remaining bleeding and the first bleeding (which is three days) are considered irregular bleeding.

Source: Official website - Women's rulings - Q2 + 16 + Office of His Eminence Khamenei in Lebanon.

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Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Firstly, the age of menopause in menstruation is reached at sixty. What a woman sees after reaching sixty does not have the same rulings. It is recommended to combine the prohibitions of menstruating women and the actions of a woman experiencing irregular bleeding between the ages of fifty and sixty if the blood she sees would have been considered menstruation had she seen it before fifty, similar to what she sees during her regular days.

As for the age of menopause that leads to the end of the waiting period after divorce—when bleeding has stopped and there is no hope of its return due to the woman's old age—it is set at fifty years.

Secondly, in the case presented, your ruling is that of a woman with irregular bleeding:

A woman with irregular bleeding (who has repeatedly seen blood without establishing a regular cycle) rules that the first bleeding is not menstruation, but the second bleeding is considered menstruation. However, since it has exceeded ten days, it is obligatory for her to refer to some of her female relatives regarding the count. Two conditions must be met when referring to them:

• First: There should be no knowledge of a disagreement with her regarding the amount of menstruation; for instance, a beginner should not follow someone close to menopause.
• Second: There should be no knowledge of a disagreement between the habit of the one she wants to follow and the habit of others among her female relatives.

Since your previous habit was five days—as mentioned in the question—it is not permissible to refer to those whose menstruation lasts more than five days, and the remaining days after referring to them will be considered irregular bleeding.

If it is not possible to follow some of her female relatives, she has the option each month to consider menstruation between three to five days.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - On Menstruation + Short messages for legal inquiries - Qom Office + Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Menstruation - Ruling on Exceeding Ten Days of Bleeding and Related Issues - M 221 + 222

May you be successful in all good.