The History of Birth Control

From ancient Egypt to modern America people have attempted to control the human reproductive process. Human beings have long tried to stop the conception and birth of offspring for physical, emotional, social and economic reasons. Throughout history the actual thought behind the various methods have not changed much as evidence for barrier methods, abortions, withdrawal methods etc. can be traced back thousands of years. Egyptian papyruses dating from around 1850 B.C. show recipes for vaginal suppositories called pessaries thought to be effective in preventing a woman from conceiving. Ancient Romans used birth control because they did not feel that hoards of children fit with their highly civilized urban lifestyles (Clemmitt, 2005). In 200 A.D. Greek gynecologist Seranus concluded that women were fertile during a period known as ovulation. However, during a period known as ovulation occurred during menstruation Oyler, 2003). In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy Seranus suggested that women smear olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger , or tobacco juice around the vagina in order to kill sperm. He also suggested drinking water that blacksmiths used to cool metals, and jumping backwards seven times after intercourse to dislodge sperm. In Europe from the 800s to the 1900s European peasants wished only to expand their families during times of prosperity. Women of the time would attempt to prevent pregnancy using agents they called douches and purges which contained salt, honey, oil, lead mint juice and cabbage seed (Clemmitt, 2005). Birth control methods were taboo but accepted until the 1860s when care for women began to leave the hands of midwives and enter the hands of male doctors most of whom did not believe in a woman 's right to prevent or terminate a pregnancy (Gordon, 1976). Early 20th century birth control included withdrawal methods, primitive condoms, the rhythm method, extended lactation, abstinence, abortion, and surgical sterilization. While

Cited: Clemitt, Marcia. "Birth Control Debate." The CQ Researcher (June 2005). 12 Dec. 2006 . "Condoms: History, Testing, Effectiveness and Availability." Avert. 31 July 2006. AVERT HIV and AIDS. 10 Dec. 2006 . Gordon, Linda. Woman 's Body, Woman 's Right: A Social History of Birth Control in America. . New York : Penguin Books, 1976. Oyler M.D., Julie. "History of Birth Control." University of Chicago Hospitals. 18 Mar. 2003. 9 Dec. 2006 .