Short answer
In the Hanafi school the age of menopause (iyas) is taken as 55 lunar years. Bleeding after that age is not a period unless it is strong, clearly red or black blood that meets the usual limits; yellowish or brownish spotting is istihadah. Before 55, bleeding that meets the 3 to 10 day rules is a period, even after months without one.
The age of iyas is 55 years on the relied view. If a woman over 55 sees strong blood (black or deep red) for 3 to 10 days, it is haid; if she sees yellow, green or murky discharge, it is istihadah. Before 55, any blood that meets the limits of haid is haid, even if her periods had stopped for a long time.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- There is no upper age for menstruation: blood that meets the limits of haid is haid at any age.
- Maliki
- Blood at seventy or later is not haid; between fifty and seventy, women who know such matters are asked whether it is menstrual blood.
- Hanbali
- The relied view sets the end of menstruation at 50, after which bleeding is not haid.
Explanation
Around menopause, periods often become irregular: long gaps, then bleeding again, sometimes heavy. Many women are unsure whether to stop praying. The Hanafi answer depends on age and on the kind of blood.
Before 55 lunar years (about 53 and a half solar years):
- Bleeding that lasts at least 3 days and at most 10, after at least 15 clean days, is a period, even if you had none for months.
- Under 3 days, or beyond 10, it is istihadah. See period lasting more than 10 days.
After 55:
- The Hanafi jurists treat this as the age of iyas (the end of menstruation).
- Strong blood, clearly red or black, that meets the 3 to 10 day limits is still treated as a period on the relied view.
- Yellow, brown, green or murky discharge is istihadah: keep praying, with wudu in each prayer time if it flows. See what is istihadah.
See a doctor. Bleeding after menopause, especially after a year with no periods, can be a sign of a medical problem and should always be checked. The Islamic ruling and the medical check are separate questions, so do both. Because cases near menopause vary a lot, keep a record of the dates and ask a mufti if you are unsure. For the waiting period of a woman past menopause, see the iddah calculator.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah At-Talaaq 65:4
وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ ٱلْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَٰثَةُ أَشْهُرٍۢ وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰتُ ٱلْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ يُسْرًۭا ﴿٤﴾
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.
The Quran recognises women past the age of menstruation as a separate category.
Sahih al-Bukhari 306
Sahih... إنما ذلك عرق وليس بالحيضة ...
"That is from a vein, not menstruation."
Not every bleeding is a period.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on haid. Gives the age of iyas as 55 on the relied view.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on haid. Strong blood seen after the age of iyas is haid; weak colours are not.
- Kashshaf al-Qina', Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on haid. Hanbali: no haid after fifty.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.