By Emma Landsburgh
The history of contraception isn’t a topic that is ever properly talked about or given much space, especially within sex education. The knowledge about the history of contraception offers a realisation of how sex and reproduction has been intertwined in everyone’s life for a millennia. In the last couple of decades, contraception has been catered towards women whilst men have escaped its effects.
From the ancient times until now, contraception has always had a cultural focus of avoiding pregnancy. Today contraception is almost taboo, many people are not given access to contraception or taught about it. Other times our school curriculum heavily focuses on condoms, there is never much talk about the pill, the rod, the coil, etc. Currently birth control has become political, as access to it is heavily debated and questioned, even though it is a human right. Basic information surrounding contraception is lacking, most of the time google is the only answer and then the next step is the GP.
The history of contraception shows the medical impact women have faced for decades. Society has continuously condescended women. However, contraception, even with its side effects, has been able to change women's lives. In our contemporary society, women are not held back by the lack of contraception. Education and work have become far more accessible, rather than the old ideals of family and child bearing. However, this is a largely westernised view as many countries around the world do not have access to contraception. 200 million women across the world do not have access to contraception. Throughout the last century access to contraception has been revolutionary.
The advent of contraception has been aligned with the swinging sixties and the women's liberation movement. Even though it dates back centuries through the use of herbs and animal intestine condoms. It has been 61 years since the pill was first developed and approved in 1959. The pill remains to be the most popular amongst all contraceptives and has been described as the most significant medical advancement of the 20th century. The pill was introduced to the UK in 1961, although it was only accessible to married women. This stayed in place until 1967. However, the list over the last few decades has become longer, from the coil (the IUD), the injection and the implant.
Historical Contraceptives- past to present:
Throughout history, humans have been looking to enjoy sex without the worry of possibly ending up with kids. Although contraception is also taken for other reasons whether that be painful periods or to treat a number of conditions. The earliest method was called coitus interruptus or the old fashioned “pull out method”. In Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, around 1850 BC, papyrus scrolls were found that included instructions about how to make birth control from honey and acacia leaves. The silphium plant was a popular contraceptive in North Africa, extending its popularity to Ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient Greece often used plants as contraceptives and in many places Queen Anne’s Lace was popular. Many of these methods were highly dangerous. It wasn’t until 1885 when the first reusable condom was made by American Charles Goodyear. Although makeshift condoms were used for centuries before, they were often made from animal intestines. Condoms had grown slowly from the renaissance in hopes of slowing outbreaks of syphilis.
The first birth control clinic in the UK opened in 1921 and by 1939 there were 65. However, contraceptives have only been a very recent thing. Emergency contraceptives (the morning after pill) weren't licensed in the UK until 1984. It wasn’t until 2001 that it was legal to buy it over the counter from pharmacies. The morning after pill is often misunderstood but it is basically just an emergency contraceptive that you take incase of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. In the UK, the morning after pill is often accessible from your local pharmacy or Boots, where the pharmacist may ask you some medical questions. In England, you have to pay a sum, but in Scotland it is free. Frequently the morning after pill is met with shame as it has been overcrowded by judgmental comments. Therefore, sex education is necessary in order to break away from these ideals and not leave people guessing how to access contraception if something goes wrong.
The coil has around 160 million users despite its sometimes damaging side effects, which many contraceptives have. The pill at first contained high amounts of estrogen which had harmful effects. The Dalkon Shield, a branded coil, was introduced in 1968 and by 1970 60,000 had been sold in the US. However, reports began to appear showing severe pelvic infections and perforations. 6 women had died by 1974 and by then 2.2 million had been sold. The Dalkon Shield faced 200,000 lawsuits. The main problem with the Dalkon Shield was the design as the cord allowed bacteria to grow.
Contraception is known to come with a long list of side effects which range from spotting, nausea, weight gain, migraines, sore breasts, mood changes, missed periods, decreased sex drive, etc. Although, the male contraceptive trials were stopped after side effects began to affect those taking part. All side effects resembled those that are shown on female contraceptives. Therefore, men have been left with little choice of contraception to protect them during sex. Whilst women are left with the responsibility and the damaging side effects.
The Reception of Contraceptives:
Contraceptives and the access to them have been greatly harmed throughout the centuries. In the middle ages contraception was deemed to be immoral by the church. Ranging from the rhetoric of sex, which has been deeply impacted by victorian sexual morality and conservative ideas, to restrictive legislature. Sex and contraceptives were villainised by the Comstock Act in the United States. The act was put in place to stop the spread of contraceptive information. The act shut Margaret Sanger’s, who coined the term ‘birth control’, first birth control clinic just after 9 days of it opening in 1916. The fear of contraceptives and sex is still deeply ingrained in contemporary society when basic necessities such as contraceptives and period products are politicised.
Throughout the world, women's bodies have always been seen as political as government officials fight and debate over issues that impact billions. From abortions to contraceptives, women and those who need access often have their rights removed. The history of contraception details the freedom and choice of sex and the result after. Contraception is deeply impacted by sexual prejudice within our society. Not only is contraception important to protect from conception, but condoms especially protect from STIs. Not only do they prevent pregnancy but often they are used as medication to help cope with extremely painful periods. Many times people experience fainting, extreme nausea and intense pain that disrupts their day. Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) also experience intense period pain. Contraception offers relief from these symptoms. Of course, this is not the same for everyone, many who start some types of contraceptives experience dangerous symptoms, as with any medication it comes with some risk. Although, there needs to be research into evolving the medication away from damaging side effects.
When it comes to hormonal contraceptives there is often fear mongering that can impact one's approach to it. In the 80’s the pill was linked to breast cancer, blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. This was discovered to be due to hormone levels that have now been lowered. However, this has clouded people’s judgement when it comes to the pill. Although, your doctor will explain what contraceptive will work best and often it is trial and error. Many women have been in dangerous and scary situations but sadly there are not many options other than hormonal, medical contraceptives that come along with side effects.
Contraception has been a part of human lives for a millenia. Women had to go through dangerous means like eating dangerous herbs or douching with Lysol before getting access to safe contraception. Although, there is still a long way to go before contraception is side effect free and accessible to all. Again pro-choice has to exist to be able to give women access to contraception, emergency contraception and abortion. It should not be a political issue, yet governments strive to reduce women's access to their right to birth control. By allowing access women can avoid dangerous situations. Contraception has revolutionized women's lives as it made it easier to gain access to opportunities, education and improved health. Contraception has been a part of human evolution and needs to remain and evolve in order to allow equality to become viable.
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