How Do Female Astronauts Menstruate in Space?

The font of all knowledge, Cecil Adams, recently tackled this question in his Straight Dope column.

Using a number of reliable sources, Cecil discussed many of the fears which kept women out of the space program for many years (See Valentina Tereshkova - See Mercury 13). While some of those fears may have been reasonable, we know that part of the problem was also the attitude of a male dominated industry.

As Cecil also points out, although women face some unique challenges in space flight, in other ways they have an advantage over their male counterparts. Be sure to read the Straight Dope column to learn more and for a full answer to the question. Straight Dope is one of the readings with which I start every day.

Two related questions which many people have deal with How to Go to the Bathroom in Space and Sex in Space. I wrote an article on the first question of How to Go to the Bathroom in Space and reviewed the fantastic book by Laura Woodmansee titled "Sex in Space. Check them out.

Image: Former Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova holds her World Connection Award at the Women's World Award at Congress Center June 9, 2004 in Hamburg, Germany.
Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images