Menstruation In Space: Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives Advantageous in Suppressing Menstrual Flow

Female astronauts who want to avoid menstrual flow while fulfilling their duties in space better look into using long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) due to its beneficial qualities, a study suggests. However, more data is needed to assess the effectivity of LARCs for coping with menstruation while in space.

The study -- published in the journal Microgravity, via NPJ -- looked into the different options for female astronauts who seek to prevent menstrual flow during the time of their missions in space, Science Daily reported. Available contraceptive devices, including those currently being used by aviation and military personnel, were reviewed by the authors.

It is helpful to note that there is nothing special about menstrual flow in space. "In the past three decades of female space flight, periods in space have been normal - no menstrual problems in microgravity," the National Public Radio said.

This Slate piece on menstruation in space (mostly men being clueless about it) is great https://t.co/1f3Yh8coXj pic.twitter.com/TxqLMKvB59

— Elise Foley (@elisefoley) April 25, 2016

Female astronauts have been known to prefer the suppression of menstrual flow in long-term missions, according to Science Daily. They usually use the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill, a kind of birth control pill.

The Advantage of Using LARCs

Long acting reversible contraceptives include IUDs and subdermal or beneath-the-skin implants. LARCs are considered safe and reliable in stopping menstrual flow in space. However, not a lot of studies have been done on the performance of IUSs and implants on space, according to Teen Vogue's report on the paper.

According to the authors, using long acting reversible contraceptives would eliminate upmass, packaging, waste and issues of stability. Science Daily explained that even before the space mission, a device can be inserted in the female astronaut's body which would not require a replacement during the cosmic flight.

More Information Needed

The study was written by authors from King's College London and Baylor College of Medicine. The authors suggested that "combining pharmacological data from spaceflights with equivalent ground-based studies investigating menstrual suppression might provide the evidence required to trial LARCs during spaceflight."

"With more women going into space, we need to ensure they also have the most up-to-date information on reliable contraception and means of menstrual suppression," Dr Varsha Jain, Visiting Researcher at the Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) at King's College London said. Vain is also a NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.