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Medically induced amenorrhea in female astronauts

npj Microgravity, ISSN: 2373-8065, Vol: 2, Issue: 1, Page: 16008
2016
  • 39
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 80
    Captures
  • 28
    Mentions
  • 198
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    39
  • Captures
    80
  • Mentions
    28
    • News Mentions
      22
      • News
        22
    • Blog Mentions
      6
      • Blog
        6
  • Social Media
    198
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      198
      • Facebook
        198

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Review Description

Medically induced amenorrhea can be achieved through alterations in the normal regulatory hormones via the adoption of a therapeutic agent, which prevents menstrual flow. Spaceflight-related advantages for medically induced amenorrhea differ according to the time point in the astronaut’s training schedule. Pregnancy is contraindicated for many pre-flight training activities as well as spaceflight, therefore effective contraception is essential. In addition, the practicalities of menstruating during pre-flight training or spaceflight can be challenging. During long-duration missions, female astronauts have often continuously taken the combined oral contraceptive pill to induce amenorrhea. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are safe and reliable methods used to medically induce amenorrhea terrestrially but as of yet, not extensively used by female astronauts. If LARCs were used, daily compliance with an oral pill is not required and no upmass or trash would need disposal. Military studies have shown that high proportions of female personnel desire amenorrhea during deployment; better education has been recommended at recruitment to improve uptake and autonomous decision-making. Astronauts are exposed to similar austere conditions as military personnel and parallels can be drawn with these results. Offering female astronauts up-to-date, evidence-based, comprehensive education, in view of the environment in which they work, would empower them to make informed decisions regarding menstrual suppression while respecting their autonomy.

Bibliographic Details

Jain, Varsha; Wotring, Virginia E

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Medicine; Materials Science; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Physics and Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Sciences

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