Ankita Konwar completed an Ironman while injured and on her period: ‘Do not try this if…’

Ankita Konwar, married to actor Milind Soman, recently conquered another Ironman despite being injured and menstruating. Sharing her experience on social media, she advised others not to try such a feat if they are uncertain about their ability to handle it. Triathlete Konwar completed the race on the same day as the event had taken place six days prior, signaling a swift recovery.

Dr. Gaana Sreenivas, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, stated that a woman's menstrual cycle does not necessarily preclude her from participating in endurance sports or competitions. However, she emphasized that the decision should be based on the intensity of the event, the severity of symptoms, the nature of any injury, and the individual's training status.

Dr. Sreenivas highlighted the importance of proper hydration, adequate carbohydrate and iron intake, recovery, and injury assessment for endurance events like the Ironman. She also pointed out that menstrual symptoms can affect exercise tolerance, and that women with heavy menstrual bleeding or a history of iron deficiency should pay extra attention to their iron intake.

Konwar's do's and don'ts for menstruating women participating in endurance events include ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte replacement, eating sufficiently before and during the event, paying attention to iron intake, using appropriate menstrual products, and seeking medical advice for significant injuries. Conversely, she warned against assuming that being on one's period makes performance poor or unsafe, pushing through significant injury-related pain, drastically restricting food or fluids, taking painkillers without considering risks, and using race day to test supplements, medications, hydration strategies, or menstrual products.