Sunita Williams Stuck In Space: What Is Her Body Going Through?

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has spent prolonged periods in space, but recently she's been in the headlines because she and her colleague Butch Wilmore are stuck in space till Feb 2025. While space missions take extensive precautions to ensure astronaut safety, and address microgravity, radiation, and isolation etc, they also pose various physical and physiological challenges.

Sunita Williams Stuck In Space: What Is Her Body Going Through?  

Here at SheThePeople, we take a deep-down look at whether gender and body types play a role in the impact space and its forces have on a person. Research apparently shows that some of these effects vary between men and women due to differences in anatomy, hormones, and other physiological factors.

A study by NASA in 2014 explored space impact based on gender and sex. According to PBS, it found no direct evidence of differences between the sexes when examining behavioural or psychological factors during spaceflight, as well as no differences in “neurobehavioral performance and sleep measures.” Yet, the groups did find several physiological differences.

A look at multiple sources tells us the following about women's health and space.

1. Bones and microgravity

In microgravity, the human body undergoes rapid bone density and muscle loss because bones and muscles don’t experience the resistance that gravity provides on Earth. Studies show that both men and women experience bone density reduction in space, but women may be at a slightly higher risk due to lower initial bone density and hormonal differences. Women generally have less bone mass than men, making the loss more significant and potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

2. Plasma loss?

According to the research, as reported by PBS, females see higher loss of blood plasma than men during space trips, and women’s stress response characteristically includes a heart rate increase while men respond with an increase in vascular resistance. It adds however that these Earth observations require further study in space.

3. Radiation Exposure Risks

Space radiation is one of the most concerning factors for long-duration space missions, as it increases the risk of cancer and affects cardiovascular health. Women reportedly are generally at a higher risk from radiation exposure than men due to the increased sensitivity of reproductive tissues and a slightly higher baseline cancer risk.

3. Heart Health

In microgravity, bodily fluids shift towards the head, increasing pressure on the upper body and altering cardiovascular function. Women may experience slightly different cardiovascular responses to these fluid shifts compared to men. For example, female astronauts have shown a tendency toward orthostatic intolerance (difficulty standing without feeling dizzy) upon returning to Earth, which is thought to be related to differences in how male and female bodies regulate blood pressure and volume in response to microgravity.

4. UTI

Urinary tract infections or UTIs can happen in space too and are more common in women but research suggests these have been successfully treated with antibiotics.

5. Do women get normal periods in space?

Yes, women can have periods in space, and menstruation happens much the same way as it does on Earth. When women first began travelling to space, there was some uncertainty about how menstrual flow would behave in microgravity, but studies and experience have shown that menstruation is not affected by the lack of gravity.

6. Sensory perception

While both male and female astronauts experience altered sensory perception in space such as changes in balance and spatial orientation, apparently these effects can differ slightly by gender. For instance, studies indicate that men may experience greater susceptibility to space motion sickness, while women may have more frequent bouts of spatial disorientation.  

7. SANS

Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) is something that impacts the eyes and brain and can cause blurred vision. It may even alter eye structure, and accelerate intracranial pressure. It's caused by bodily fluids shifting towards the head due to microgravity, which can put pressure on the optic nerves.

8. Immunity

Space travel can weaken the immune system, making astronauts more susceptible to infections and delayed wound healing. Studies suggest that men's and women’s immune responses may differ in space due to hormonal factors. For example, estrogen in women has been shown to have immune-boosting properties, which might offer a slight protective advantage. However, space environments can disrupt hormonal balances, meaning that women may lose some of this benefit over long missions.

9. Reproductive Health Concerns for women in space

Radiation and microgravity pose challenges to reproductive health, a crucial consideration as space agencies plan longer missions. Space radiation can impact ovarian and sperm health, but female reproductive organs tend to be more radiation-sensitive. While no studies have yet been conducted on reproduction in space, the potential impacts on fertility, pregnancy, and offspring health make this a critical area for future research, especially for female astronauts who may wish to have children after their missions.