Anemia and Menstruation on Tisha B'Av
Question
Greetings and blessings. My menstrual cycle began today and I also have anemia due to iron deficiency. I wanted to know if I am required to fast? And if so, if I have abdominal pain due to menstruation, what can I do? Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom!
The question consists of three parts:
1. Regarding the anemia, what are the current values?
2. Regarding the menstruation – you should start the fast, and if there is great weakness, dizziness and the like, you should stop the fast.
3. It is permissible to take a pill for pain, if possible, it should be taken without water. And if not possible, it is permitted to take it with a little water. It is good to make the water bitter with tea extract or salt and so on.
Source
Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chaim
554:6