New and old birth control – a twisted history

This week a US study showed that a new contraceptive gel is set to revolutionise the birth control market. No longer will women across the world have to swallow pills, wear patches or get injections to stop those little tadpoles from impregnating them – all that is needed is a tiny 3mg dollop of the clear gel rubbed into the abdomen, thighs, arms or shoulders and is quickly absorbed, with no residue.

The recent tests was carried out at the not-for-profit Population Council research centre in New York, and involved 18 women in their 20s to 30s. Over seven months, none fell pregnant and the gel had "very high acceptability”.

Not only is the gel efficient, but so far the tests have shown that women have suffered none of the usual annoying side effects of the pill such as nausea and weight gain. It’s also suitable for those who are breastfeeding, because unlike the Pill it doesn’t produce hormone levels that usually interfere with milk supply.

Preventing unwanted pregnancies is something that humans have been trying to do since the beginning of time.  Here are some of the best and the worst attempts.

Scary history of birth control

1559 BC

Crocodile poo. Yes, that’s right, according to Ancient Egyptians writings some women believed that stuffing some crocodile dung into their vaginas would block the sperms. Medical ancient medical manuscript such as the Ebers Papyrus, described a method that might actually have worked; women were advised to grind dates, acacia tree bark, and honey together into a paste and apply it with seed wool to the vulva. Modern science has shown that, since acacia ferments into lactic acid, a well-known spermicide!

200 BC

The Greek gynaecologist Soranus (yes that was his name) knew that women were fertile during ovulation and promoted the rhythm method i.e. basing your sexual habits around the woman’s ovulation cycle, unfortunately Soranus incorrectly assumed that ovulation occurred during menstruation, rather than prior to it, oops. It wasn’t until the 1930s researchers were able to determine which days were safe to have sex using this method.

100 BC

Prostitutes in 1st-century BC are said to have ground their pelvises in a manner that increased their partner's pleasure, with the assumption that the movement simultaneously diverted the sperm away from the womb.

As well as dislodging the sperm by jumping backwards seven times after intercourse; and sitting down on bent knees in order to provoke sneezing!

100-500 AD

Women along the Mediterranean inserted sea sponges rinsed in acidic lemon juice or vinegar before intercourse, others used the scooped out lemon as a type of suppository.

1200-1400 AD

During the European dark ages it was dark indeed as superstition replaced science. European women sported amulets fashioned from a weasel's testicles, mule earwax, or a bone taken from the right side of a black cat. If the latter charm failed to work its magic it was simply “because the cat wasn't black enough."

1500 AD

Chastity belts, these devices—more shackles than belt —first appeared in Europe in the 15th century. They were designed to keep women sexually pure by making it physically impossible for them to have sex and conceive. The belts, which featured small openings to allow for urination and defecation, were often made in only one size, so larger women were forced to endure the pain of a tight fit. Chastity belts were also used to prevent masturbation.

1600-1800 AD

The mythical Dr Condom (Cundum or even Quondam) is believed to have been an English physician to whom the contraceptive of the same name is attributed, is said to have invented the sheath after Charles II became annoyed with the number of illegitimate children he had. By the 1800s most condoms were made from animal skin or intestines to prevent a syphilis infection. Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (1725-1798) was among the first to use condoms to prevent pregnancy. The famous womanizer called the condom an "English riding coat."

1840-1920 AD

In 1844, the American inventor Charles Goodyear (1800-1860) patented the vulcanization of rubber, which led to the mass production of condoms, as we now know them.

1925 AD

The first commercially produced diaphragm is made by Holland-Rantos in the USA, unlike the condom the woman can use it without the cooperation of her partner giving women for the first time, the control over her own contraceptive protection.

1960-now

The Pill arrived. Developed by Americans, but initially tested on Puerto Rican and Haitian women in the 1950s, the first version of the pill contained the hormones oestrogen and progestin, which were synthetically produced to mimic the body's natural hormones. 

Take-up of the pill was fast and to this day more than 100 million women worldwide are believed to take the pill.