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Space Period: Menstrual Cups Survive Rocket Launch!
8 Dec
Summary
- Menstrual cups endured space flight stress with no damage.
- AstroCup study suggests cups are viable for future space missions.
- More research needed on cup performance in reduced gravity.
Menstrual cups are being tested as a viable solution for astronauts, with a recent study demonstrating their resilience during a rocket launch. Two menstrual cups experienced the vibrations and pressures of a nine-minute uncrewed flight up to 1.9 miles, emerging without damage and maintaining their integrity.
This initial success by the AstroCup team offers a promising, sustainable alternative to traditional single-use period products for future space exploration. While hormonal suppression is common, it's not a permanent solution, and managing periods with reusable cups could significantly reduce waste and complexity on long-duration missions.
However, scientists emphasize that more research is necessary to evaluate menstrual cup performance in reduced gravity and over extended periods. Future studies aim to compare various menstrual products on the International Space Station to gather comprehensive data for enhancing astronaut health autonomy.
