June 25, 2011

The Flawed and the Intuitive: Seven Ancient Methods of Birth Control

Filed under: birth control,birth control methods,birth control myths,early birth control — Janine @ 4:36 pm

Prior to the development of modern contraceptives, how did women of the past prevent pregnancy? As you read further, you’ll see that women have been taking control of their bodies from the earliest of times by using alternate methods of birth control. As knowledge about the reproductive system was often limited, and the cause of pregnancy was unknown in some civilizations, the effectiveness and safety of some methods are definitely imperfect.

1. Sea Sponges
  The use of physical barriers to block sperm was mainly spread throughout the ancient world. In ancient Jewish communities, the use of sea sponges was a preferred means of contraception. Women would soak sea sponges with acidic substances, usually lemon juice, and insert the sponge vaginally before intercourse. The sponge would be fastened with string for easy removal.
2. Breast Feeding
  Prolonged breast feeding was encouraged in the past to eliminate the chances of conception. The practice of lactating for contraception is now known as lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). When a woman is breast feeding, the return of her menstrual cycle is delayed. However she eventually will start to ovulate, and thus she is still at risk for pregnancy.
3. Avoiding moonlight
  In ancient Greece, moonlight was believed to fertilize crops and impregnate women as well. Women were taught to block moonlight when they slept lest they conceive. As we know this method of birth control is highly ineffective since the moon does not influence ovulation nor does it radiate fertilizing power.

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Coitus Interruptus
More commonly known as the withdrawal method, the prehistoric use of coitus interruptus was recorded in the Book of Genesis. This method was more effective than others in the ancient times due to the male ejaculating outside of the vagina.
Visiting the Local Cemetery
It was popular for the ladies of the past to visit their female ancestors in hopes of avoiding pregnancy. The only way that this method could have been effective is if it scared women into practicing abstinence!
Following the Advice of Soranus
Soranus was a gynecologist in ancient Greece who came up with several unsuccessful methods of birth control. Soranus advised women to jump backwards seven times after intercourse, in hopes of extricating the sperm. He was the original creator of the Rhythm method (a method in which women have intercourse when they are not fertile), however the method was flawed due to his hypothesis that women ovulated during menstruation (rather than prior). Furthermore, Soranus also recommended women to squat and then to squeeze to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. As the ladies soon found out, these methods were highly ineffective.
Abstinence
Ultimately the most effective form birth control in history, this method has been effective in the past and also in modern times. In some communities, abstinence was practiced before and during certain religious days (i.e., Lent).

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October 29, 2009

Birth Control: A Timeline

Filed under: birth control,birth control methods,birth control patch,Birth Control Pill,birth control types,Depo Provera,early birth control,IUD,Mirena,today sponge,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 4:16 pm

4th Century A.D – Aristotle gave advice on how to prevent pregnancy. He told women to use olive oil, lead ointment, or frankincense oil as a spermicide – Needless to say, his intentions were good but his methods were flawed.

The Greeks claimed that by applying pressure to the uterus by pushing on a woman’s abdomen will force sperm out of her vagina. Although it sounds ridiculous, they had to start somewhere.

1400’s – the Chastity belt was invented. Today they may be viewed as a cruel violation of human rights, however in the 15th century Chastity belts were a form of teaching abstinence. Chastity belts were created to make it physically impossible for a woman to have sex or masturbate. They were often made of steel, locked shut with a padlock, and only had small openings for excretion. These belts were made in only one size – so larger women were forced to endure the pain of an ill-fitted device.

1700’s – 1800’s – The first pregnancy preventing condom was used by Giacoma Girolamo Casaova. Funny enough he referred to condoms as “english riding coats”. In the 19th century, condoms were made of animal gut and were packaged in paper envelopes. Although the product was somewhat formal (being packaged and all), its role as contraception was not very effective.

1844 – American Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization of rubber. This was a process that stopped rubber from becoming sticky. Mass production of condoms began shortly after he patented his finding.

1900’s – Based on early Egyptian prototypes, in the early 20th Century people were using sponges with strings attached for removal as contraceptive devices. Often these sponges were dipped in vinegar or lemon juice which would act as a spermicide. The method seemed plausible, however it was not necessarily effective or safe. Today, there are safe synthetic sponges which are sterile and coated with chemical spermicide.

1930’s – When the Great Depression hit, many couples could not afford to support children. During this time, new methods of birth control were introduced. The douching method was introduced (like Aristotle’s olive oil technique) however this time it was advertised as “Lysol Douching”. Yes – Lysol surface cleaner was used as a vaginal spermicide for a short time, however when reports started piling in about irritations and vaginal scalding, the method slowly lost popularity. So, a proto-intrauterine device was created. The IUD’s in the 1930’s consisted or something like a metal rod attached to a circular object such as a button. Needless to say, these early attempts often resulted in irritation and severe uterine infections. Oops.

1950’s – The first Birth Control Pill (Envoid) was originally created to promote fertility and reduce menstrual symptoms in women. It was approved by the FDA in 1957 and began gaining popularity, however, around that time there were many complaints by Envoid users about increased menstrual problems. The pill was re-introduced to the FDA four years later as an oral contraceptive. By 1964 the pill was a huge success and became America’s number one type of birth control.

1990’s – In 1992 Depo-Provera was approved by the FDA. This was the first hormonal injection that was used to prevent pregnancy.

Today – Today, there are many forms of safe and efficient birth control. There are shots, patches, rings, IUD’s and Pills available in all different forms that are up to 99% effective.

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