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How Do I Calibrate My Menstrual Cycle?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org
Question: I am trying to figure out which dates to count as my haiz. In July, I came on 24/07 – 3/08 (10 days), and then spotted on 19/08. I had 22 days of no bleeding after that, then came on again 13/09 for more than 10 days. Even though I spotted in August, there was more than 15 days (minimum tuhr) of no bleeding after that so will my September bleeding be counted as haiz? In October, I started my period on the 15th and bled and have continued to bleed – I am unsure when to count my next haiz?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
Calibration of the Menstrual Cycle 
Assalāmu ‘alaykum Dear Sister in Faith,
There are several important matters that must be determined :
(1) duration of valid blood
(2) duration of purity
(3) instances of istihada
(3) menstrual habit
(4) purity habit
(5) place of habit
Please note that any blood flow that does not last for at least 3 days or exceeds 10 days is istihada, meaning invalid blood.  It takes the ruling of legal purity (in terms of your cycle), but it is to be treated as any other nullifier of wudu’.
Thus, if your flow exceeds 10 days, your menstrual habit will default to 10 and all excess will be istihada. [Birgivi, Dhukhr al Muta’ahilin]
Based on this and the data you have provided, the following are the durations of your last three menses.
Your first valid blood was 10 days from 7/24 to 8/3.
Your second valid blood was 10 days from 9/13 to 9/23.
Your third valid blood was 10 days from 10/15 to 10/25.
The first duration of purity was 22 days.  However, due to the incidence of istihada on 8/19, only 8 days after the end of your valid blood, this duration of purity is incomplete and will not be taken as your habit.
The second duration of purity was 40 days.
The third duration of purity was 21 days.  It is a complete duration of purity.  It becomes your purity habit.
Thus, you will count your October valid blood as being 10 days and your menstrual habit remains as such. Even if you continue bleeding, all flow after the 10 days is istihada. You will also revert to your purity habit of 21 days, counted from the end of your valid blood (not from the end of your istihada).  Thus, your next place of valid blood should be at or around that time.
The Hanafi School puts particular emphasis on the determination of the habit so that the rulings on menstruation accommodate a women’s natural biorhythm.  And Allah, Most High, knows best.
As you can see from the analysis of your dates, your cycle stabilized in September and October, occurring for about the same time, in about the same place, and with approximately the same duration of purity in between.
When in doubt, resort to your habit — both menstrual and purity— to determine which flow is valid blood and which is invalid.
Heavy or persistent irregular bleeding can also be a sign of physical or emotional stress.  Please take care of yourself.
May Allah grant us and you all forms of well-being and cause His Mercy to flow into all parts of our lives, at all times.  Amin
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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