We have all celebrated the come back of Sunita Williams from the nine-month long ISS mission. But did you know that for the longest women astronauts were not sent into space or sent on more extended missions because of menstruation. However, it was not until Sally Ride, who became the first woman to menstruate in space became famous for her tampons.

This of course came with a set of challenges and figuring out on how many tampons would she need. Or how would she dispose them or the cost and weight of it. However, the big question is, how do women handle their period in space. How does menstruation work in microgravity?

Menstruation In Microgravity

While it is a common guess for many to think that in space, it becomes a retrograde menstruation, which means the blood flows back and could cause damage too. However, this is not the case. The female reproductive system is actually immune to the lack of gravity.

There are two options in how astronauts manage their period in space. They can either choose to delay period by taking pills or just deal with it as and when it comes.

There are waste-disposal facilities on board the international space station or the ISS that can handle human blood. However, it had not always been designed this way. Another challenge for women having their period is the added weight and the calculations of taking items like tampons and sanitary napkins.

The astronauts at NASA also undergo individual assessments tailored to their needs, mission duration and physiology. There are protocols too that allow for several choices, and individual treatment selected for any particular astronaut is a private matter between the astronaut and the flight surgeon.

However, the reality is that most women actually opt for contraceptives and put their periods on hold. This happens both during the preparation and during the spaceflight. However, no research has yet been done on long-term use of contraceptives in space. What we do know is that it can be consumed for long-term on earth.

Things Were Not Always That Easy

Like mentioned before, women were not sent on space missions thinking of retrograde menstruation. Furthermore, in 1964, researchers from the Women in Space Program suggested that putting "temperamental psychophysiologic human" which means hormonal women together with a "complicated machine" was a bad idea. While this was without any evidence, such biases have further hindered women and their achievement in the space.

However, it was the 1971 NASA report that pointed out that there may be place for women in space.

The Kanas and Fedderson's 1971 report went on to state: Information regarding women during periods of stress is scanty. This lack, plus previously mentioned problems will make it difficult for a woman to be a member of the first long-duration space missions. However, it is just as unlikely to think that women cannot adapt to space. Initial exploration parties are historically composed of men, for various cultural and social reasons. Once space exploration by men has been successfully accomplished, then women will follow. In preparation for this, more information should be compiled regarding the physiology and psychology of women under stressful situations.

People pop supplements to sleep better, soothe their nerves, or stop those calf cramps. But what if we told you that the most dangerous consequence of low magnesium is not about tossing and turning or having twitchy legs at all?

According to nutritionist Dr Eric Berg, also known as the Knowledge Doc, the real red flag is something far scarier and far more life-altering.

It’s Not About Cramps, Stress, or Palpitations

When you think of magnesium deficiency, the usual problems that come to mind are cramping muscles, restless nights, and that fluttery feeling in your chest. Sure, they are uncomfortable. But as Dr. Eric Berg explains:

“The most dangerous symptom of a magnesium deficiency is not muscle cramps, it's not anxiety or insomnia, and it's not heart palpitations. Those are warning signs of the silent red flag behind 80% of all chronic diseases. If you ignore it, it won't just disrupt your health; it will literally cause disease because it's at the heart of so many health problems.”

Then, what is this “silent red flag”? According to Dr. Berg:

“The most dangerous symptom of a magnesium deficiency is mitochondrial dysfunction. It's impossible for your mitochondria to make energy without magnesium, and most chronic diseases start with dysfunctional mitochondria.”

Mitochondria are the microscopic “batteries” inside your cells. They’re the power stations that keep your heart pumping, your brain firing, and your muscles moving. Take magnesium out of the equation, and these little energy factories can’t run. Instead of fueling you, they fizzle out, and that’s when disease creeps in.

From Tired Cells to Tired You

When your mitochondria don’t get enough magnesium, it leads to fatigue, brain fog, and slow recovery from workouts, which are just the tip of the iceberg.

But as Dr. Berg says, mitochondrial dysfunction isn’t just about feeling drained; it’s linked to heavy hitters like cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. That means something as “simple” as a mineral deficiency could be a silent trigger for some of the most feared diseases of our time.

Are You Missing the Signs?

Magnesium deficiency is alarmingly common, thanks to modern diets and stress-filled lifestyles. Coffee, alcohol, processed foods, and even certain medications can quietly deplete your magnesium reserves. While you might brush off cramps or poor sleep as minor annoyances, they could actually be early SOS signals from your mitochondria.

It’s easy to overlook because the symptoms feel ordinary. Who hasn’t had a bad night’s sleep, felt stressed, or battled brain fog? But if these patterns keep repeating, they may be pointing to something bigger beneath the surface.

What You Can Do About It

Unlike complex medical interventions, supporting your mitochondria can start on your plate. Dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, avocados, and even good-quality dark chocolate are all magnesium-rich options.

Simple lifestyle tweaks, like cutting down on processed foods, managing stress, and keeping caffeine and alcohol in check, also help preserve the magnesium you do have. For those with significant deficiencies, supplementation may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

In many parts of rural India, women are facing a grim choice: keep their uterus and lose wages every month due to painful, heavy periods—or undergo a hysterectomy, a permanent surgery to remove the uterus, sometimes even in their early 30s. This quiet but serious epidemic has been unfolding for years.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), nearly 10% of Indian women aged 40–49 years had already undergone a hysterectomy. In states like Andhra Pradesh (22.5%), Telangana (21.2%), Bihar (17.2%) and Gujarat (11.7%), the numbers were far higher. More worrying is the median age, just 34 in rural India, more than a decade before natural menopause.

The Link Between Periods, Wages, and Surgery

For many rural women, particularly agricultural workers, menstruation is not just a health event but an economic setback. Migrant sugarcane workers in Maharashtra’s Beed district provide a stark example: here, hysterectomy prevalence was found to be as high as 56% in 2024, with women opting for the surgery at an average age of 35.

The reason is brutally pragmatic. Agricultural contractors often penalize women who take time off for menstruation. Period pain, excessive bleeding, and taboos around hygiene in the fields make working conditions even harder. In such an environment, hysterectomy is sold as a “permanent solution”, a way to eliminate menstrual problems and keep working without interruption.

A recent study published in Social Science & Medicine also notes that this pattern is echoed in Telangana and Bihar, where women agricultural workers also show higher hysterectomy prevalence. Studies reveal that many women are advised surgery by private doctors even for common issues like abdominal pain or white discharge, often without being informed of alternatives.

The Price of Early Hysterectomy

While hysterectomy can be medically necessary in certain cases, such as large fibroids, severe prolapse, or cancer, it is far from harmless when performed at a young age. The removal of the uterus, especially when combined with ovary removal, induces early menopause, triggering a cascade of health risks.

Research has linked early hysterectomy to:

• Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders
• Bone density loss, raising fracture risk
• Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary tract issues
• Thyroid and urinary tract cancers
• Mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety

In essence, what appears to be a short-term fix to save wages ends up cutting into a woman’s long-term working life and overall quality of life.

A System That Encourages Surgery

Part of the problem lies in India’s healthcare structure. As per NFHS-5, about 70% of hysterectomies were carried out in private clinics. Research in Andhra Pradesh found that women as young as 20 were recommended hysterectomy for routine gynecological complaints, reflecting both a profit motive and lack of awareness.

Insurance schemes also play a role. Data shows that women with health insurance were more likely to undergo hysterectomy. Reports suggest that some private hospitals encourage the surgery because insurance covers it, making it financially attractive for providers.

The National Health Authority has flagged suspiciously high hysterectomy claims under Ayushman Bharat, which at one point accounted for nearly 2% of all female claims. In response, stricter pre-authorization rules were introduced, including mandatory second opinions for women under 40.

Why Women Agree: Pragmatic Agency, Not Just Victimhood

While it is easy to frame rural women as victims of predatory healthcare, research tells a more nuanced story. A 2015 study in Social Science & Medicine highlighted how women often exercised “pragmatic agency.” They weighed their options, continued monthly suffering, missed wages, social stigma of menstrual restrictions, against the perceived relief of hysterectomy. With limited non-surgical options offered by doctors and little awareness of long-term side effects, many saw it as their best way forward.

In interviews, women described themselves not just as patients but as workers and caretakers. Their health decisions were shaped less by medical advice and more by economic necessity, gendered expectations, and the absence of supportive healthcare alternatives.

Many of us have been there. Sneaking in a burp during a meeting, unbuttoning our jeans after dinner, or blaming others for suspicious sounds and smells. Bloating, belching, and gas may be embarrassing, but according to the expert, these everyday digestive hiccups are often your body’s way of sending you important signals.

What is Bloating?

Bloating happens when gas or air gets trapped in your stomach or intestines, leaving you feeling stretched like a balloon. Dr Surakshith TK, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, explains that certain foods are prime reasons. Beans, broccoli, milk, and fizzy drinks are notorious gas producers, while simple habits such as eating too quickly, chatting through a meal, or chewing gum can also cause you to swallow excess air.

Though occasional bloating is harmless, if your stomach feels bloated on the regular, it might be worth paying closer attention to your diet and habits.

What is Belching?

A well-timed burp can be a relief, but when it turns into a constant soundtrack, it is not just poor table manners. Belching is your body’s way of expelling excess air swallowed during eating or drinking. According to Dr Surakshith, while occasional burping is perfectly normal, frequent or habitual belching could be a red flag. Conditions such as acid reflux, gastritis, or certain food intolerances may be to blame.

It is better to listen early than ignore the signs.

What is Gas?

Dr Surakshith says it is simply a side effect of your gut bacteria breaking down food. Fibre-rich foods like whole grains, beans, and veggies are particularly gassy, but that is usually a sign your gut microbes are hard at work.

However, if you are passing more gas than usual, or it comes with an odour strong enough to clear a room, your gut may be hinting at trouble. Imbalances in gut bacteria, food intolerances, or conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could be the hidden reasons.

When to Stop Ignoring the Signals

Most bloating, belching, and gas episodes are just temporary inconveniences. But Dr Surakshith warns that if they persist or are accompanied by pain, nausea, or changes in your bowel movements, it is time to check in with a healthcare professional. These symptoms could point to lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, IBS, or other digestive disorders that need medical attention.

Ignoring these red flags will make the problem worse and not make it vanish.

How to Take Care of Your Gut

You can often outsmart your digestive problems with small tweaks. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid gulping down food like it is a race. Cutting back on carbonated drinks and keeping an eye on how your body reacts to dairy, beans, or high-fibre meals can also help. Most importantly, Dr Surakshith encourages paying attention to your body’s feedback. Simple lifestyle shifts can ease discomfort and, in the process, give your gut the happy balance it craves.