Managing periods on Earth can be tough, but how do women handle menstruation when they’re in space? As more women take part in space missions, it has become important to understand how female astronauts manage their menstrual cycles while floating in microgravity.

The first woman in space

The history of women in space began in 1963 with Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly beyond Earth. Since then, over 60 women have joined space missions. But in the early days, some people were worried about how menstruation might affect women in space.

Some even thought women shouldn’t go to space because hormonal changes and microgravity might cause problems. However, supporters of gender equality pointed out that male astronauts also faced risks and unknowns when they first went to space.

Rhea Seddon, one of NASA’s earliest female astronauts, described how women approached the topic: “Consider it a non-problem until it becomes a problem.” This practical way of thinking led to real solutions instead of letting periods be a reason to exclude women from space missions.

Does menstruation work differently in space?

Although there were early worries, research, and experience show that menstruation in space happens the same way it does on Earth. Microgravity doesn’t make blood flow backward, and female astronauts haven’t reported serious period-related problems while on missions.

Dr. Varsha Jain, a gynecologist and space researcher, says women have options for how they manage their periods in space. They can choose to keep menstruating or take contraceptive pills to stop their periods temporarily. This decision depends on what is easier and more comfortable, especially when considering hygiene and the small, crowded environment of a spacecraft.

How do astronauts manage periods in space?

Managing menstruation in space isn’t as simple as it is on Earth. The International Space Station (ISS) has limited space and strict rules about the weight of everything astronauts bring with them, including menstrual products. Waste disposal is also tricky because it’s designed for other types of waste, not period products.

Dr. Jain explains that many astronauts choose to take oral contraceptive pills to avoid periods while they’re in space. By taking these pills every day without a break, they can stop menstruation. This method is safe and makes life easier during space missions.

Future options for period management

In the future, researchers are looking into other options, like long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), to help manage periods on long missions. More studies are needed to find out how these might work in space.

Dr. Jain also mentions that contraceptive pills may have extra benefits, such as helping female astronauts maintain bone density, which is important because spending time in microgravity can weaken bones.

You might also be interested in - Trump to personally pay Sunita Williams and Wilmore for overtime in Space mission