Periods In Space: How Female Astronauts Deal With Periods

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Varsha Jain, a space gynecologist and visiting researcher at the Center of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King’s College London, explains in her research how it is like for female astronauts to experience a menstrual cycle in space. While the human body goes through numerous changes in space, Varsha was surprised to learn that female menstrual cycles don’t change though.

“Studies have shown that women can have periods as normally in space as they do on Earth. What’s more, menstrual blood flow isn’t actually affected by the weightlessness we experience in space, so it doesn’t float back in – the body knows it needs to get rid of it”.

Women and their periods in space were once used as an argument that women shouldn’t be astronauts. When Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, tampons and sanitary napkins were never part of that process. But since then women have been living and working in space for decades now, and with no issues. That’s also because all available data on periods in space pertain to short-duration missions.

The Challenges

While periods may not hinder an astronaut’s ability, it may not be a very pleasant thing to deal with in space. Also, when astronauts undertake longer missions, how many tampons or pads a woman can carry onboard can be a huge problem given the issue of weight and cargo space that these may occupy. Carrying a three-year supply of birth control pills onboard doesn’t sound practical either.

With limited resources and water supplies, menstruating may not be a very pleasant experience. Also, not all waste disposal systems in space are designed to handle menstrual blood, as the toilet system is connected to the water reclamation system (which recycles urine into drinking water), solid waste is distributed in a cylindrical container which is then exposed to vacuum to dry the waste. Unwanted liquid waste is vented to space, hence menstrual cups may not serve the purpose not to forget the constraints for its insertion and removal. For the longest time, NASA has been inviting new ideas to facilitate recycling in space.

So what are the other options?

With these issues, most female astronauts turn to the oral contraceptives or hormone pills which may help them skip or suppress their period.

According to Varsha’s research, “The oral progesterone pill is the most popular option. The second option is an IUD (intrauterine device), which is inserted into the uterus by a doctor and can safely last for three to five years. Subdermal implants are another option, and are safe to use for up to three years. Last is the Depo-Provera, a hormone injection similar to progesterone. It must be administered once every 12 weeks, and can be safely used for two to three years.”

According to Florida’s Gynaecologist, Dr. Kristin Jackson, the best methods for suppression are either the pill or the IUD.

“It’s completely safe for women to skip their periods. Every woman is different, but some methods are more reliable than others.” However, the most reliable methods aren’t always the safest as she points out with the depo shot.

Varsha agrees. “Studies of women in the military have shown that many would like to suppress their menstrual flow during deployment, so it’s not a stretch to assume astronauts want to do the same”.

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It’s not only the choice of song that changes with a transition in age but the physical health tumbles too. Post 40 your health takes a back seat. The metabolism rate dips remarkably low and you grow conscious to hog your favorite platter of spicy food. As your metabolism gets hostile to certain foods. Aging is indeed a natural process that brings along several physical changes. These changes do cause a slight unease at the beginning but once you tailor your lifestyle a bit the rest gets sorted.

Physical transition post 40

Slow metabolism

Post 40 the Body’s ability to produce energy dips significantly. It may not show any visible change in the daily activities but a lot of calorie intake doesn’t get burned and gets transformed into fat. Which thereby results in low energy levels. The problem may seem complex at the face value but like every other problem, this one too has got a solution. The solution is basically a mixture of the right diet plan with a bit of regular exercise. Besides, you may need a pinch of willpower, discipline, and consistency.

Many women brace for menopause post 40. In that case, thinning of hair, hair loss, and bald patch over the scalp are usual occurrences. This is primarily because of a decrease in the level of estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone that helps in hair growth.

Bladder Incontinence

The struggle to hold back pee every now and then becomes quite an obvious post 40. The decrease in the level of estrogen weakens the muscles that support the urethra. Even a good belly laugh leads to leakage.

Changes in Appetite

40 is a decade of slowing down physically. However, the appetite typically increases out of proportion to the activity level.

Now as you barge further into 40s, its about time to swap your savory and spicy platter with some healthy food.

Fiber is your friend

Make some space for whole grains on your plate. Whole grains are rich in carbohydrates, fibers, and multiple nutrients. This helps combat two major health issues increased blood pressure and slowing metabolism that usually flags post 40. The whole grain(wheat bread, brown rice and. The alternate way of consuming fiber could be a colorful platter of salad – spinach, carrots, salads, bell pepper, tomatoes, red reddish, black, and green olives. Besides these fruits like raisins, oranges and strawberries help the body immensely.

Excess sugar is a big No

Too much sugar intake through processed food can trigger health issues such as diabetes further it can also lead to other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, kidney and nerve damage. Thus toss out all the dry cakes, chocolate bar and sweets out of your kitchen.

Go green get better

Green veggies are an important part of the diet regardless of the age factor. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Green veggies are jampacked with numerous health benefits resulting in reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Low-fat dairy products

Low-fat dairy products are a part of healthy eating habits. Low-fat dairy products contain fewer calories than full-fat dairy products which have saturated fat. These also reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

A healthy platter of food is a key to a healthy life. Why not choose the right diet before you hit 40s. A mindful choice of veggies, fruits, grains, and dairy products is all it takes. Besides that, a keen eye on your calorie and nutrient intake will keep up just in the right shape far away from all the ailments.

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