NASA Explores Menstrual Health Solutions for Space Missions

NASA is advancing research into menstrual health for long-duration space missions, addressing a significant yet often overlooked aspect of astronaut well-being. A recent study published in the journal NPJ Women’s Health highlights the potential of using menstrual cups in space, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional menstrual products.

The conversation around menstruation in space dates back to Sally Ride, who became the first American woman in space in 1983. During her historic mission aboard the space shuttle, Ride was questioned about the adequacy of 100 tampons for her week-long journey. Her response was definitive: “No, that would not be the right number.” This reflects the ongoing challenges and stigmas surrounding menstrual health, even as space exploration evolves.

Researching Sustainable Solutions

According to the recent study, astronauts who menstruate typically manage their periods through hormonal suppression, tampons, or pads. However, there is a growing interest in offering more options. Researchers from Cornell University partnered with Lunette to investigate the feasibility of menstrual cups in space environments. Menstrual cups are reusable devices designed to collect menstrual fluid, potentially reducing the need for bulkier disposable products.

“We want to give different options to women because right now, astronauts are encouraged to suppress their periods,” said Catarina Miranda, a science communicator and co-author of the study. “Why not adapt what we already have on Earth for use in space?”

Their mission, dubbed AstroCup, involved launching two menstrual cups on a suborbital flight to test their performance under space-like conditions. The results showed that the cups maintained their integrity, even when subjected to conditions such as temperature changes and humidity.

Preparing for Future Missions

Looking ahead, the Artemis II mission, scheduled for 2026, will see astronauts like Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency embark on a journey around the moon. This mission marks a crucial step toward longer missions, including a potential journey to Mars. Managing supplies, including menstrual health products, will be critical as every kilogram launched carries significant costs.

“This is a situation where people didn’t realize that menstruation could be a problem in space,” remarked Ligia Coelho, co-author of the study and an astrobiologist. The researchers aim to expand the dialogue around menstrual health to ensure that all astronauts have access to suitable options.

The study’s findings have sparked interest from various manufacturers of menstrual devices, opening the door for additional research into alternative products. “Now we are being contacted by others interested in sending various menstrual devices to space,” Coelho added. “Our goal is to provide more accessibility for everyone involved in space missions.”

For astronauts who may prefer not to suppress their menstrual cycles, menstrual cups offer an attractive solution. They are lightweight and reusable, which could be advantageous during lengthy missions. In contrast, hormonal suppression pills may expire during extended space flights, complicating menstrual management.

Additionally, Shawna Pandya, a physician and Canada’s first commercial female astronaut, is advocating for further research into women’s health in space. She has conducted studies on intrauterine devices (IUDs) in microgravity, addressing concerns around menstrual health management for long-duration flights.

“We were the first in the world to demonstrate the feasibility of IUD insertion and removal in microgravity during parabolic flights,” Pandya noted. Such research is vital as humanity progresses toward more ambitious space exploration, including potential commercial space travel.

As the field of space medicine expands, researchers are also considering broader aspects of human health in extraterrestrial environments, including sexual health and reproduction. The future of human presence in space may require a more comprehensive understanding of these issues.

Looking forward, the Cornell researchers plan to test menstrual cups in actual space conditions, including their performance against radiation and methods for sterilization. “These options are not rocket science,” Coelho concluded. “There’s really no excuse not to put them on the table.”