Learn about contraceptive methods through each period-Life Health

Before modern and safe methods of contraception appeared, our ancestors invented many different methods over time.

Forms of contraception since ancient times

Early forms of birth control have been found in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as far back as 1850 BC. The papyrus scrolls were found to contain instructions on birth control, using honey, acacia leaves, and even lint as a form of cervical cap to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

Since 1850, gum shells have been considered a contraceptive. Or, breastfeeding for up to three years was also used as a form of birth control in ancient Egypt. Around this time, perhaps one of the best known ancient forms of birth control was the silphium plant, which is native to North Africa. This plant is used as birth control pills and was extremely popular in ancient Greece and Rome.

In ancient Greece, many plants were used as a form of birth control, including asafoetida, a close relative of the extinct silphium. Queen Anne’s Lace is another popular birth control plant, and in some parts of India it is still used today to prevent pregnancy.

Silphium tree

Many ancient forms of birth control are toxic and potentially dangerous. However, pregnancy and childbirth alone killed millions of women in ancient times because they did not have modern medical interventions. So we can understand why many women have to accept the risks that come with ancient birth control. In ancient Greece, women were advised to drink copper salt dissolved in water as a way to prevent pregnancy for up to a year, even though copper salt is toxic to the body.

Modern historians believe that most ancient forms of birth control were ineffective except for prolonging breastfeeding. Even today, this method has an effectiveness rate of 78% if used correctly and consistently.

Birth control movement emerges

In 1909, the first intrauterine device made from silkworm gut was introduced and further developed during the 1920s in Europe. In the United States, the ban on disinformation around safe sex and contraception has made it more difficult for doctors and other women’s reproductive health activists.

Margaret Sanger popularized the term “birth control” around 1914. She opened her first birth control clinic in 1916, but it was closed nine days later for violating the Comstock Act and related laws. mandarin. Sanger was arrested and put on trial. Coverage of the trial helped spark the birth control movement in the U.S. Donors and others associated with the feminist movement supported Sanger and funded future efforts her work in the field of reproductive health. In 1921, Sanger went on to form the first birth control union in America.

When was the birth control pill invented?

In the 1950s, Gregory Pincus and John Rock created the first birth control pills. These pills were not widely available until the 1960s. In 1972, the right to use contraception was extended to unmarried couples. Restrictions on contraceptives were lifted, and many scientific and medical advances in the fields of fertility, family planning, and birth control were made available. Women now have access to not only the pill but also the highly effective and safe IUDs, patches, rings and emergency contraceptive pills.

In the 21st century, birth control is not only safer for women, but they also have more options. That means they have more control over their own body as well as their own sexual and reproductive health, so they can choose the right contraceptive method.