Revolutionizing Space Travel: Scientists Create Menstrual Cup for Long Journeys

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In a leap towards advancing space technology, something truly extraordinary happened in October 2022. Two menstrual cups embarked on an incredible journey beyond Earth’s confines. These cups, nestled inside a meticulously crafted metal box by aerospace engineers. Then, they were launched into the sky on the Portuguese rocket named Baltasar, soaring to an incredible height of 3 kilometers. Then came a remarkable few minutes of floating in weightlessness, much like what astronauts experience in space.

Afterward, these brave cups made a victorious return to Earth, emerging from their cosmic journey completely unharmed. Astrobiology researcher Lígia Fonseca Coelho, a visionary co-designer of the Astro Cup payload project, couldn’t contain her excitement. She described the cups’ performance as nothing short of outstanding. This groundbreaking experiment was part of a larger mission led by Técnico University in Lisbon, Portugal, where innovation knows no bounds.

In this article, we’ll delve into the exciting world of space technology and discover the innovations that make this incredible invention possible.

The Cosmic Challenge: Menstruation in Space

Space exploration has come a long way, with astronauts spending months or even years in space. However, managing menstruation in a microgravity environment has been a significant challenge. Traditional menstrual products like pads and tampons are impractical in space, and the disposal of waste is a concern. Enter the space-tech menstrual cup, a game-changer for astronauts.

The Birth of a Revolutionary Idea

The space-tech menstrual cup was born out of necessity. Scientists and engineers needed a sustainable, space-efficient solution, as traditional products generated waste and occupied valuable spacecraft space needed for research and life support systems.

Innovations That Defy Gravity

Creating a menstrual cup for space travel required a combination of creativity, innovation, and rigorous testing. Here are some of the key innovations that make this technology out-of-this-world:

Design for Microgravity: The cup’s unique design allows it to function effectively in a microgravity environment, ensuring that astronauts can go about their duties without discomfort or inconvenience.

Sustainability: Sustainability is a top priority in space, where resources are limited. The menstrual cup is reusable, reducing waste and the need for resupply missions.

Biocompatibility: The materials used in the cup are carefully selected to ensure they are safe for astronauts’ bodies in the long term.

Easy Maintenance: Cleaning and maintenance procedures are designed to be simple, ensuring that astronauts can manage their menstrual cycles with ease.

Breaking Barriers and Fostering Menstrual equity

The development of a space-ready menstrual cup symbolizes more than just a technological achievement. It represents the breaking of barriers, the promotion of gender equality, and the acknowledgment of menstrual cup users as equal contributors to the exploration of the cosmos. It’s not just a cup; it’s a symbol of empowerment in the final frontier.

In the early days of space exploration, female astronauts faced challenges in managing menstruation. They relied on traditional products like pads and tampons, which were less effective in microgravity and required frequent changes and complex disposal procedures.
The discovery of menstrual cups revolutionized space travel for female astronauts

The space-tech menstrual cup is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to adapt and innovate in the face of unique challenges. It’s a reminder that space exploration is not just about reaching the stars but also about improving the quality of life for those who embark on these incredible journeys.

Using a menstrual cup in space has both advantages and disadvantages, which can be evaluated from various perspectives, including hygiene, sustainability, and practicality. On one hand, it is quite beneficial to use it because it will reduce waste, but on the other hand, it can cause problems in hygiene and cleaning because proper cleaning and sterilization of menstrual cups are essential for preventing infection in space, which could be more challenging due to limited water resources and a controlled environment.

So, as we look to the future of space travel, we can celebrate the small yet significant steps that make life in space more manageable and pave the way for even greater adventures among the

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There may be many reasons for dryness in the vagina, the main factors include hormonal changes, the side effects of any medication including contraceptive pills and menopause. The problem of dryness in the vagina can occur to any woman at any age. However, most women at a young age undergo such issues, and at their mature age, they experience the dryness after menopause. In most of the cases women who are between 50-60 years of age experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness causes itching, discomfort during sex and pain due to dryness.

Symptoms

Among women, the symptoms of dryness in the vagina arise during the intercourse in most of the cases. Vaginal dryness can occur due to the following reasons:-

Thinning of the vaginal layer
Vaginal anaesthesia
Vaginal infection
Uneasiness
General unhappiness
Lack of moisture during intercourse
Frequent urine
Having sex
Cortisone
Light bleeding during intercourse

In addition to these, different women can experience different types of symptoms.

Many types of treatment are available to cure vaginal dryness. However, let’s take a glance at some of the most practical steps to remedy this condition.

1. Lubricants

Simply put, lubricants are the gel substance that lets the vagina remain moist during sex. Lubricants can be applied on the penis before penetration or can be put directly in the vagina to make it moist. This gives immediate relief from the vaginal dryness for a while. Lubricants are available in a range of varieties in pharmacies and shops. With expert assistance, you can pick up your most compatible lubricant.

2. Vaginal Moisturizer

Vaginal moisturizers are creams that keep the vagina moist. If dryness is not the only cause of problems during sex, then they can be better than lubricants, because its effect lasts for long. Usually, it needs to be applied consistently for a few days. Water-based moisturizers are generally considered to be the best, because latex condoms may not work well with oil or petroleum-based products, and occasional discomfort may occur in the vagina.

3. Vaginal Estrogen

If dryness in the vagina is due to menopause, the doctor can prescribe vital estrogen. It increases the low levels of estrogen during and after menopause. Vaginal estrogen comes in the form of pills that are usually meant to be tucked in the vagina itself much like the vaginal ring. Be it vaginal moisturiser or rings, all of them work equally well, however, using estrogen pills come off as comparatively more convenient.

It is commonly believed that Estrogen is more effective than treatment, lubricant, and moisturizer for women who are going through the phase of menopause. However, it may take a few weeks to start the work so you can use lubricant or moisturizer in the beginning. Typically, the treatment has to continue indefinitely because stuttering comes back when the medication is stopped.

4. Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is a treatment in which medicines are taken to replace those hormones which decrease in levels during menopause. Doctors prescribe these either as tablets or skin patches, implants in the skin or with gels on the surface. HRT has a more comprehensive effect on the body than in viral estrogen, so if you are experiencing other symptoms like menopause, such as hot flashes etc., it is a fairly good idea to use it. Given the side effects, it is always advisable to take full information from the doctor before usage. If there is any serious problem with their use, contact the doctor immediately.