Why Do Female Astronauts Take Birth Control? Unveiling the Secret Challenges of Space

Why Do Female Astronauts Take Birth Control? Unveiling the Secret Challenges of SpaceIn 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, ushering in a new era. Today, countless astronauts have ventured into space, but what remains largely unknown is that the number of female astronauts is remarkably small, and almost all of them are required to take birth control pills before missions

Why Do Female Astronauts Take Birth Control? Unveiling the Secret Challenges of Space

In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, ushering in a new era. Today, countless astronauts have ventured into space, but what remains largely unknown is that the number of female astronauts is remarkably small, and almost all of them are required to take birth control pills before missions. What secrets lie behind this practice?

Project Mercury: The Shelved Dream of Female Astronauts

In the early 1960s, NASA initiated a secret program called "Project Mercury," aiming to select and train female astronauts to explore their potential in space missions. NASA scientists at the time believed that women's smaller stature and lower resource consumption made them ideal for long-duration space missions.

The selection process for Project Mercury was exceptionally rigorous, ultimately choosing 13 women who passed numerous stringent tests. Surprisingly, in many test areas, female candidates even outperformed male astronauts, particularly in their resilience and ability to withstand isolation and pressure.

However, despite their outstanding capabilities, Project Mercury was ultimately shut down. Various factors, including societal views and political influences, contributed to this regrettable outcome.

Soviet Pioneers: The First Woman in Space

While the US abandoned its female astronaut program, the Soviet Union quietly pursued its own. On June 16, 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova successfully entered space, becoming the first woman in history to achieve this feat.

Tereshkova's space journey lasted nearly three days, during which she conducted multiple scientific experiments and sent numerous reports to Earth via radio. This accomplishment stunned the world and made the US realize that women held immeasurable potential in space exploration.

Unique Challenges for Women in the Space Environment

However, the space environment poses unique challenges to women's physical health, particularly related to their menstrual cycles.

1. Menstrual Issues in Microgravity

In microgravity, menstrual blood may not flow out of the body normally, potentially causing discomfort and increasing the risk of infections and other health problems.

2. The Necessity of Birth Control

To address menstrual issues, scientists proposed several solutions. For short-term space missions, the simplest approach is to adjust mission timing to avoid an astronaut's menstrual cycle. However, this method is clearly not feasible for long-duration missions.

The Soviet Union's approach involved using short-acting birth control pills to delay or suppress menstruation. Short-acting birth control pills maintain estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, preventing the shedding of the uterine lining and thus delaying menstruation. This method is already widely used on Earth and has proven to be relatively safe.

3. Risks of Birth Control and New Solutions

However, long-term use of birth control pills in the space environment may carry some potential risks. First, birth control pills can increase the risk of blood clots, an issue that is already a concern in microgravity. Second, long-term hormonal medication may impact an astronaut's overall health, including potentially increasing the risk of certain cancers.

Therefore, scientists are researching safer and more effective long-term solutions, including developing specialized menstrual products suitable for the space environment and exploring new drugs that can more precisely regulate hormone levels.

4. The Impact of Microgravity on Fertility

Another concern is the potential impact of microgravity on women's fertility. While some claims about space causing infertility have been partially debunked, the long-term impact of exposure to space radiation and microgravity on egg quality remains an area that needs further research.

The Rigorous Journey to Becoming an Astronaut: Strict Selection for Both Men and Women

Despite the challenges the space environment presents to women's health, many still aspire to become astronauts, not only for the honor but also for the chance to earn a place after a demanding selection process.

Astronaut selection typically involves three main stages:

1. Initial Screening: Selection from Air Force Pilots

These pilots have already undergone rigorous training and possess exceptional physical fitness and flying skills.

2. Enhanced Training: Approximately Two Years of Theoretical Learning and Practical Operations

Astronaut candidates undergo comprehensive and rigorous training, including theoretical studies and practical operations. The theoretical curriculum comprises around 60 subjects, covering fields like mathematics, physics, and engineering, requiring candidates to have a broad knowledge base. Physical training is also a vital part of this stage, with candidates training to professional athlete standards in disciplines like athletics, ball sports, and gymnastics. Besides regular training, astronaut candidates must undergo special training: zero-gravity training simulates the weightless environment of space, helping them adapt to this unique state. Hypergravity training uses centrifuges to expose candidates to accelerations of up to 6G, equivalent to six times their body weight. Emergency rescue training is another crucial aspect; astronauts must learn to survive in various extreme environments, including at sea, in deserts, and in polar regions.

3. Flight Crew Selection: The Crucial Final Step

Only the most exceptional candidates ultimately become official astronauts.

It's important to note that although selection criteria are generally the same for men and women, female astronauts need to meet some specific requirements. They undergo additional gynecological exams to ensure they can adapt to the unique challenges of the space environment. Selection committees often advise choosing married women and give priority to candidates who have already given birth. This is not discriminatory but based on considerations for women's health and potential future fertility.

4. Rigorous Health Checks: Ensuring Long-Term Astronaut Health and Mission Safety

Astronaut physical fitness standards are extremely strict. Candidates must pass over 100 detailed checks; any minor issues, even seemingly insignificant problems like nearsightedness or cavities, can lead to elimination. Even more stringent, candidates' families must have no history of serious illnesses for three generations, ensuring the astronaut's long-term health and mission safety.

Future Outlook: Continued Exploration and Breaking Barriers

While microgravity poses numerous challenges to the human body, particularly for women, scientists are continuously researching and developing solutions. The story of female astronauts is not only an integral part of space history but also a reflection of human societal progress, inspiring others to break barriers and pursue their dreams.

As technology continues to advance, humanity's exploration of space will become even deeper, and female astronauts will play increasingly significant roles. We can expect that in the near future, women's contributions in space will be even more prominent as they create new history in the quest to explore the universe.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])