Astronauts’ Period Care: Menstrual Cups Survive Brief Orbital Test — What It Means for Long Missions

Freeze-dried meals and microgravity cabins are familiar parts of space travel, but one practical question receives less attention: how do astronauts manage menstruation in orbit?

Background

A 2016 study found that menstruation itself does not appear to change in space, so astronauts can use tampons, pads or other menstrual devices, or choose hormonal suppression to avoid bleeding during missions. Hormonal suppression has become a common option because it reduces logistical burdens, but it is not suitable for everyone.

The AstroCup Experiment

To broaden menstrual-care options for spaceflight, astrobiologist Lígia Coelho and the AstroCup team launched two Lunette-brand menstrual cups into orbit in 2022 for just under 10 minutes. The cups were filled with glycerol and water to test structural integrity and fluid retention through the stresses of launch.

"Since then, hormonal menstrual suppression has become the preferred method for managing menstruation in space, offering significant advantages. However, this is not an option for astronauts who choose to menstruate." — Lígia Coelho, AstroCup lead researcher

Findings and Implications

Results published in 2025 reported that the cups withstood launch vibration, acceleration changes and other forces without apparent structural or functional failure. Researchers say menstrual cups could be a practical, low-waste option for longer missions — for example, to Mars — where prolonged hormonal suppression may be unhealthy and single-use products create waste and mass challenges.

Remaining Questions

While initial results are promising, researchers emphasize that further study is needed. Key open questions include performance during sustained low-gravity exposure, the effects of space radiation on cup materials and safety, and validated procedures for cleaning and reusing cups in a spacecraft environment.

The AstroCup work is an early step toward inclusive, sustainable menstrual-care strategies for deep-space exploration. As crews and mission durations diversify, ensuring safe, convenient options for all astronauts will be increasingly important.