Menstrual blood in the water could be detected by a shark, just like any urine or other bodily fluids. However, there is no positive evidence that menstruation is a factor in shark bites.
They can also detect blood in the water from miles away. Contrary to popular belief, however, sharks are not attracted to human blood. A shark is more likely to be attracted to a bleeding fish or sea lion than a human being with a cut in the ocean.
Go Snorkelling During Your Period
Be cautious and don't go if you're experiencing extreme PMS or side effects. If everything is under control just remember to carry extra tampons and change them as soon as possible after you leave the water, stay hydrated, and plan ahead of time to avoid any post-dive fluid leakage.
The experiment came to the conclusion that sharks prefer fish blood over human blood.
Sound: Sound, rather than sight or smell, seems to be a shark's primary cue for moving into an area. Certain types of irregular sounds—like those made by a swimmer in trouble or a damaged fish—seem to attract sharks from great distances.
Alternatively, divers and swimmers can probably reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright and highly contrasting swimwear or dive gear. We personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving.
ESDs aim to overwhelm a shark's electro-sensory system. They emit electrical pulses (each one does so in a different way) that are supposed to repel the shark. So far, ESDs have been the most effective type of personal shark repellent.
A shark's sense of smell is powerful – it allows them to find prey from hundreds of yards away. Menstrual blood in the water could be detected by a shark, just like any urine or other bodily fluids.
While it's true that sharks are attracted to blood, experts have repeatedly dispelled the idea that someone swimming in the ocean while on their period becomes instant shark bait. Some experts says that human blood isn't as attractive to sharks as the blood of fish and other marine creatures.
It has traditionally been believed that sharks are repelled by the smell of a dead shark; however, modern research has had mixed results. The Pardachirus marmoratus fish (finless sole, Red Sea Moses sole) repels sharks through its secretions.
The Takeaway
Go ahead and book that beach vacation, and let Aunt Flo come along with you. Sharks may be able to detect blood, but being on your period won't cause a shark to attack. You can swim in the ocean on your period without worrying about sharks or leaks by wearing a tampon or a menstrual cup.
Use a tampon, sponge, or cup while swimming
Waterproof absorbent swimwear look like regular bikini bottoms but have a hidden, leak-proof lining that helps absorb menstrual blood. You can wear a pad before and after swimming.
You can still swim without period protection. The pressure from the water around you helps prevent menstrual blood from leaking. Don't push your vaginal muscles and be prepared for when you get out of the water! As the pressure of the water is removed, you might experience leaks when out of the water.
No reaction. From a scientific standpoint, Esbaugh says that it's “definitely not true” that sharks are attracted to urine, and he assumes the rumor got started because many animals use scent to track their prey. But he says this doesn't hold up because humans aren't the most common meal for sharks.
It turns out that both cats and dogs are able to detect menstruation by odor and hormonal levels. Of course, they don't actually have any scientific concept of what's happening in your uterus, but they do know that something is going on.
Sharks have a keen sense of smell and can detect anything that makes contact with their olfactory sensory cells, but emotions like fear are not among them.
Fish and seafood
Salmon, tuna, sardines, and oysters are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can reduce inflammation in the body and may help tackle period pain.
To our knowledge, dolphins do not have the ability to detect if women are on their period, so this is not an issue.
Swimming on your period with a pad is not advised. Pads are made out of absorbent material that soaks up liquids within seconds. Submerged in water like a pool, a pad will completely fill with water, leaving no room for it to absorb your menstrual fluid. Plus, it may swell up into a big soppy mess.
Due to this, sharks always turn their head in the direction of the nostril that has detected the scent first – even if the time delay is only a fraction of a second. This means that sharks always turn towards the direction of the scent.
Made of very strong and thick bone, dolphin snouts are biological battering rams. Dolphins will position themselves several yards under a shark and burst upwards jabbing their snout into the soft underbelly of the shark causing serious internal injuries. More than Peas in a Pod.
Since sharks see contrast colors, anything that is very bright against lighter or darker skin can look like a bait fish to a shark. For this reason, he suggests swimmers avoid wearing yellow, white, or even bathing suits with contrasting colors, like black and white.
Shouting into the ocean, blowing bubbles, slapping the water, and throwing paper scraps into the sea will not scare away a shark. If anything, these actions may be more interesting than scary to a shark.
If you see a shark near you, just get out of the water. Give them their space and come back and surf later. Chances are that if you see them you're probably safe since they do love a good sneak attack, but just the same, this small preventative measure may keep you surfing for years to come.