Space travel comes with a long list of challenges—radiation exposure, muscle loss, and psychological stress—but one topic rarely discussed is how female astronauts manage their menstrual cycles in space.
For most women, planning a trip means factoring in their menstrual cycle to ensure comfort and convenience. For astronauts, this becomes even more complex when preparing for missions lasting six months to a year in microgravity.
When Sunita Williams returned from her nine-month space mission, many people had one pressing question: Do women get their periods in space? And if so, how do they handle them?
Periods in Space: Does Microgravity Change Anything?
In the early days of space exploration, there was uncertainty about how menstruation would work in zero gravity. Some even questioned whether menstrual blood would flow backward in microgravity, causing health complications.
That thinking changed in 1983, when Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Before her six-day mission, NASA engineers, unsure how many tampons she would need, offered her 100 tampons for a weeklong trip—a number that baffled her.
But Sally Ride’s experience proved that menstruation in space wasn’t a medical concern—and that astronauts could manage their cycles just fine.
“Some people assume that in zero gravity, menstrual blood would flow upward instead of downward,”But astronaut experiences confirm that the body functions the same way in space as it does on Earth. The menstrual cycle is not affected by microgravity.”
explains Dr. Rita Bakshi, senior gynecologist at RISAA IVF.
How Do Astronauts Manage Periods in Space?
Today, many female astronauts choose to suppress their periods altogether during space missions. According to a study published in NPJ Microgravity, most astronauts use birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs) to pause their menstrual cycles, making long-duration missions more convenient.
For those who don’t opt for period suppression, they use standard menstrual products such as:
✔ Tampons – Compact, easy to use, and disposable, making them a preferred choice.
✔ Sanitary pads – Less commonly used due to storage and disposal challenges.
✔ Menstrual cups – An eco-friendly option, though cleaning them in a limited water environment can be tricky.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), most astronauts prefer hormonal contraception to avoid the challenges of menstrual management in space.
Why Waste Management Is a Concern
One of the biggest logistical challenges of managing periods in space is waste disposal. Unlike urine, which is processed and purified into drinkable water, menstrual blood contains solid waste and cannot be easily recycled.
With limited storage and strict weight restrictions on spacecraft, reducing waste is a priority, which is why many astronauts choose to suppress their periods rather than bring disposable menstrual products into space.
What About Future Space Missions?
As space agencies prepare for more extended missions, including potential trips to Mars, managing periods in space will become an even bigger consideration. Research is already underway to develop more sustainable, efficient solutions that ensure female astronauts can work comfortably without worrying about menstrual health in space.
One thing is clear: Periods are not a barrier to space travel.
With proper preparation and medical planning, female astronauts continue to prove that they are just as capable of exploring space as their male counterparts—with or without a menstrual cycle.
