Menstruation aka periods is no doubt a challenge for women every month. Checking for unexpected stains, struggling with the cramps, wondering about the leakages and whatnot. If there is enough and more struggle on earth, how would one manage things in outer space?
NASA's astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were stranded in space for nine months. There would be plenty of questions in one's mind to ask them. From surviving nine months to the food they had to washroom facilities onboard, questions would be plenty.
Out of curiosity, at least a few women would have thought about how would they manage their periods while stuck in space.
In 1963 Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel to space. Following her footsteps, 99 women ventured into space since then.
These questions on menstruation were raised back then when women started venturing into space and discussions took place on it as well.
If the women choose to have periods they can happen normally in space. There is no floating as one may imagine.
But there is always a choice. Astronauts don't need to endure their periods. They can hit a pause during the mission. Some choose to pause the cycle due to practical issues like hygiene, increased weight of tampons and other sanitary items and limited water resources.
In space, female astronauts can manage their menstrual cycle primarily by using hormonal contraceptives to suppress menstruation. These pills contain estrogen and can be taken to avoid menstrual bleeding. It is considered effective.
However, those who choose to bleed, use standard sanitary and hygiene products similar to those on earth and the same works in space too.
