11
$\begingroup$

I know that there is medication to prevent the menstrual cycle, but what side-effects does this entail?

Does regularly supressing the menstrual cycle pose any health risks to female astronauts?

If the female astronaut's period was allowed to continue, how would zero-Gee conditions effect it?

As a wider question, is it necessary for a woman to menustrate at all (a question I have asked myself many times!)?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ This is honestly a fantastic question. $\endgroup$
    – Vedant Chandra
    Jun 11, 2015 at 18:57
  • $\begingroup$ It's been bugging me for quite a few years to be honest xD $\endgroup$
    – Mikasa
    Jun 11, 2015 at 18:57
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I remember a passage from Mike Mullane's autobiography, Riding Rockets, where a problem was caused by a packet of tampons spilling into the cabin during STS-41-D in 1984. It's only one data point, and I'm sure there are better sources but I'll have a dig thought the book again. Astronaut biographies are often full of interesting stories that somehow missed the official reports. $\endgroup$
    – ForgeMonkey
    Jun 11, 2015 at 19:31

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7
$\begingroup$

Women astronauts have plenty of tampons available (presumably pads as well). As with other zero-G hygiene issues, I would guess that patience and wet wipes are indispensable.

Hormonal contraceptives can (somewhat unreliably) suppress menstruation entirely -- a woman who normally uses typical oral contraceptives could probably just skip her placebo week to delay her period on a short space mission.

It's unclear what the long term health effects of use of e.g. Depo-Provera or Norplant are; Depo usually stops menstruation for three months or longer at a stretch.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Could you add details answering another facet of this question ; do they suppress it or not? $\endgroup$
    – Vedant Chandra
    Jun 12, 2015 at 4:09
  • 7
    $\begingroup$ No, I could not. $\endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    Jun 12, 2015 at 5:13
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @vedant - any physician will tell you that’s going to be highly variable patient to patient. There’s also a large trade off between progesterone-only suppression, which is less effective but carries low risk of vascular complications, vs estrogen-containing options. For highest likelihood of fully suppressing menstruation, an estrogen containing OCP is preferred, but the trade-off is a patient-specific choice informed by other risk factors. Any medication used long-term on orbit is ground trialed in the months prior to launch so we have some expectations set for efficacy and side effects. $\endgroup$
    – JPattarini
    Dec 28, 2018 at 14:41

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.