Ruling on Continuous Bleeding and Irregular Cycles (Endometriosis)

Wa alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Summary of Your Situation

• Last period: 24 August, lasted 11 days
• 15 September: blood with clot appeared, continuous light bleeding (reduced by medication)
• Brown spotting 2 days before (you attributed it to medication side effects)
• Period symptoms began 14 September
• You are unsure whether this is a new period

Islamic Ruling

1. The Minimum and Maximum Duration of Menses

The scholars of the Salaf differed on the maximum duration, but the strongest view — held by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Shaykh Ibn Baz, and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen — is that there is no fixed maximum. What matters is the distinguishing characteristics (tamyeez) of the blood and the customary pattern of the woman.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"The correct view is that there is no limit to the maximum duration of menses; whenever the blood is that of menses, it is menses, and whenever it stops, the woman becomes pure."
(Ash-Sharh al-Mumti', 1/400)

2. Distinguishing Menstrual Blood from Istihadah (Abnormal Bleeding)

The Prophet ﷺ said to Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh:

"If it is menstrual blood, it is dark and recognizable. If that is the case, then refrain from prayer. If it is the other (i.e., istihadah), then perform wudu and pray, for it is the bleeding of a vein."
(Abu Dawud 286, an-Nasa'i 215 — graded hasan by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud)

Key signs of menstrual blood:

• Dark red or blackish
• Thick / with clots
• Recognizable menstrual odor
• Accompanied by cramps, back pain, etc.

Key signs of istihadah:

• Light red / pink
• Thin, watery
• No clots
• No menstrual symptoms

3. Applying This to Your Case

You mentioned:

• Blood with a clot → this is a sign of menses
• Period symptoms since 14 September → supports menses
• Continuous but light flow (due to medication) → the medication reducing flow does not change the ruling; the nature of the blood does

The brown spotting before it may have been pre-menstrual spotting, which is also considered part of menses if it is connected to the period (per the view of Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim).

Therefore, the most likely ruling is that this is a new menstrual period, and you should refrain from prayer, fasting, and marital relations until the bleeding stops or you reach the point where you can distinguish it as istihadah.

4. If the Bleeding Exceeds the Normal Duration

If the bleeding continues beyond your normal cycle length and you cannot distinguish it as menstrual blood, then:

• If you have a known habit (e.g., 7 days): You count your habit as menses, and whatever exceeds it is istihadah. You pray, fast, and may resume marital relations after making wudu for each prayer.
• If you have no known habit: You distinguish by the characteristics of the blood (dark/thick = menses; light/thin = istihadah).

The Prophet ﷺ instructed the woman with istihadah:

"She should leave the prayer for the days of her menses, then she should perform ghusl and pray."
(al-Bukhari 306)

And for istihadah:

"Then perform wudu for every prayer until the time of the next prayer comes."
(al-Bukhari 228)

5. Practical Advice

1. If the blood remains dark/thick with clots and menstrual symptoms → treat it as menses; stop praying.
2. If it becomes light, thin, and symptom-free → it may be istihadah; make wudu and pray.
3. Consult a trustworthy doctor regarding the endometriosis and medication, as this affects the nature of the bleeding.
4. Do not be anxious — Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. The religion is easy.

Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"The woman who has istihadah prays and fasts, and her husband may come to her, because she is like the pure woman in that regard, except that she must make wudu for each prayer."
(Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Baz, 10/213)

Conclusion

Based on the presence of clots, dark blood, and menstrual symptoms, this is most likely a new menstrual period. You should refrain from prayer until the bleeding stops or until it becomes clear that it is istihadah (light, thin, symptom-free). If it exceeds your normal cycle and you cannot distinguish it, apply the rules of istihadah.

And Allah knows best.