One small step for periods in space, one giant leap for research in long-term space missions

Before NASA astronaut Sally Ride’s historic launch aboard the space shuttle in 1983 as the first American woman in space, she was asked a question: Would 100 tampons be the right number for her week-long mission?

“No,” she said. “That would not be the right number.”

Even in this day and age, the topic of menstruation still seems taboo. (CBC News reached out to half a dozen former astronauts including NASA’s astronaut public relations team who either did not respond or declined our request for an interview.)

But if we’re going to venture further into space than we ever have before — and on longer missions — it’s something we can’t afford to ignore.

For those not in the know, someone who menstruates typically does so once a month, with their period lasting, on average, anywhere from four to seven days.

There are different types of ways to manage menstruation. People can use tampons, menstrual pads or menstrual cups. There are also intrauterine devices (IUD), which are inserted, with hormonal versions that can stop monthly menstruation.

But how do you manage it in space? A new study published in the Nature journal NPJ Women's Health is looking at giving astronauts who menstruate a new option.

Getting your period in space provides some challenges. Most astronauts who menstruate choose to use hormonal methods to stop their periods altogether, however some choose pads or tampons.

But now, researchers have completed key testing for another potential option for astronauts who menstruate: menstrual cups.

“We want to give different options to women because right now, astronauts are, let's say, induced to take menstrual suppression,” said Catarina Miranda, science communicator and co-author of the new study. “And since we already have solutions here on Earth that are sustainable and that we can use, why not try that in space conditions and adapt what we have here on Earth to space and to these long missions?"  

Menstrual cups are reusable, flexible bell-shaped devices that are inserted vaginally to collect blood. 

This could be a viable option for astronauts who don’t want to suppress their periods.

The mission, called AstroCup, launched two cups on a suborbital, uncrewed flight (meaning it didn't orbit Earth), measuring the temperature, acceleration and humidity. They then tested the integrity of the cups using water and glycerol, a liquid that mimics the viscosity of blood. The test was successful, with the integrity of the cups remaining intact.

In early 2026, the Artemis II crew — with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Weisman — is scheduled to blast off and head for a trip around the moon. This is considered the first step to return humans to the moon, with the goal of Mars in sight.