Kubbra Sait climbed a summit on her period: ‘I’m just so grateful for this body’

Actor Kubbra Sait recently conquered a Via Ferrata Summit while menstruating, expressing gratitude for her body's ability to adapt and perform. In a social media post, she wrote, "I’m just so grateful for this body. For how beautifully it reacts, changes, adapts and somehow says, okay, boss, we’re doing this now."

The question of whether it's safe to exercise strenuously during menstruation has been raised. According to Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist and IVF Expert at Nurture Clinic, menstruation itself does not prohibit women from engaging in strenuous exercise, trekking, or climbing as long as they are otherwise healthy and comfortable.

However, symptoms vary greatly among individuals, and a woman's symptoms should guide the level of activity she undertakes. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can impact energy, mood, sleep, body temperature, and the perceived difficulty of an activity. While some women may experience fatigue, cramps, headaches, or a loss of motivation, which could temporarily affect endurance, menstruation does not inherently reduce strength or athletic ability. Individual variation is significant, and some women may notice little or no change in performance.

For physically demanding activities like climbing, adequate preparation is crucial. Dr Bajaj advises staying well-hydrated, consuming nutritious meals, and getting enough rest. Women should also carry sufficient menstrual products and wear comfortable clothing that allows for unrestricted movement. Planning breaks and avoiding overexertion, especially if experiencing cramps or fatigue, can also be helpful.

Proper nutrition and hydration are particularly important during climbing, as dehydration and low energy levels can impact concentration and safety.

If heavy bleeding is out of the ordinary, cramps are severe or worsening, dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, weakness, or feeling unwell occur, these should not be ignored. In such situations, the activity should be stopped, and the individual should rest and hydrate. Persistent or unusually severe menstrual symptoms may indicate anaemia or an underlying gynaecological issue, and medical consultation is recommended.