This short information sheet is for all women of childbearing age who intend to embark on the journey of Hajj or Umrah.
The physical journey of Hajj involves a lot of walking and exertion, and is both physically and mentally draining. In such conditions, menstrual irregularities are common, and bleeding may start sooner or later than expected. As Tawaf is an essential part of Hajj and Umrah and cannot be performed while menstruating, we urge you to bear the following in mind.
Before You Travel: Speaking to Your Doctor
- We strongly encourage you to see your GP about this at the earliest opportunity, rather than leaving it until just before you travel.
- Make clear to your doctor that the aim of any prescribed medication is to stop menstrual bleeding completely, although this can never be 100% guaranteed.
- Ask your GP whether your prescribed medication is a contraceptive or not.
- Discuss when and how often any prescribed medication should be taken.
- Once-a-day medicines should ideally be taken at the same time each day.
- Three-times-a-day medicines should be spread equally, eight hours apart. During the days of your Pilgrimage rites, 06:00, 14:00, and 22:00 may be worth considering.
- If you feel your medication is failing, do not change doses or add other medicines without medical advice, as medicines can interact with each other.
During Your Hajj Trip
If you have any concerns about these issues during the trip, consult the group doctor or, if they are unavailable, your group leader, who will advise you. If you are concerned about how any of this may affect your Hajj and Umrah rites, speak to the religious advisor, who will guide you further.
Once again, we urge you to seek advice in a timely manner.
