This is the moment a holidaymaker on her period was left with bite marks after a nurse shark attacked her while she was diving for photos in the Maldives.

The Chinese woman, identified by local media as Yao, 26, had joined a group dive on November 21 during a trip she planned to capture 'Instagram-worthy' underwater pictures.

Reports said she had searched online and consulted professionals beforehand, who told her it was safe to dive while menstruating. She also said she used a tampon before entering the water, despite common concerns that sharks may be drawn to blood.

Footage shows painful bite marks on her wrist, with the wound visibly swollen and bruised.

Authorities said that despite the injury, she initially refused to leave the water and laughed as she showed the bite to friends.

Yao disinfected the wound herself at first, but after returning to her guesthouse, a friend warned that the injury looked serious. She then went to a local hospital, where staff cleaned the wound and administered a tetanus shot.

Another friend also cautioned her that the infection could lead to amputation if left untreated.

She has since returned to China, received anti-inflammatory medication, and said she will seek further treatment if the wound becomes red or swollen.

Chinese doctors confirmed in reports that marine bites can carry dangerous bacteria and warned that serious infections can develop quickly if wounds are not treated professionally.

There is currently no proven link between menstruation and shark attacks, and some reports suggested the woman may have provoked the marine animal by swimming too close while filming.

The Florida Museum of Natural History also states that there is no positive evidence that menstruation increases the risk of shark bites.