China woman, 26, wounded in Maldives shark attack while diving on her period

A Chinese woman, 26, was wounded in a shark attack while diving in the Maldives during her period.

Oriental Daily News reported that the woman, who was on vacation, was attending a scuba-diving course in November 2025.

The woman, who wanted Instagram-worthy photos, insisted on diving while on her period, according to Sin Chew Daily.

This is because, after searching online and consulting professionals, she was told it was okay to go into the water.

She then used a tampon and went into the water.

Unfortunately, she was attacked while diving.

Shark attack

A video on 8world's Facebook page showed that the attack left her with deep bite marks on her wrist.

Laughed while having wound bandaged

However, the woman reportedly refused to come ashore after being attacked.

She was also said to have criticised the tour guide for forcing her to leave the water and laughed while her wound was bandaged.

Following the attack, the woman also filmed a video, showing her friends the bruised and swollen bite mark.

One friend advised her to go to the hospital, warning her that she might have her leg amputated if it gets serious.

Not much pain

However, the woman later said she did not think much of the attack as she did not feel much pain when she was bitten.

She also felt that she was capable of making her own judgements.

The woman said: "If the shark had bitten my blood vessel, or my major artery, or my bone, and if my joints couldn't move, I would definitely be very panicked."

In addition, the woman thinks she was bitten because she was wearing a silver bracelet, which might have attracted the shark's attention.

She initially disinfected the wound after the attack but did not go to the hospital for treatment.

Her wound was suspected to be inflamed and infected as it turned red one second and white the next.

Sought medical attention

After returning to the guesthouse, her friend told her that her condition was quite serious.

The woman then went to a local hospital to have her wounds cleaned and received a tetanus shot.

She has since returned to China and feels that the wound is not serious.

The woman added that she will seek medical attention again if she experiences redness or swelling.

"If I really have to have my limb amputated, crying won't help," she said.

She also told netizens not to worry after the incident garnered attention on Weibo,

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, there is also no "positive evidence that menstruation is a factor in shark bites".

"Additionally, evidence suggests when swimming the water pressure will temporarily stop the flow of menstrual blood decreasing the chances any blood is released into the water."

Top photos via 8world, Weibo