Croc poo, bladders and coke: History's worst attempts at contraception
If you thought condoms, diaphragms and the pill could be annoying … well, you're probably right. But they're tiny inconveniences compared to the horrors that people in days past have endured for the sake of avoiding unwanted pregnancies.
Like what? Like this.
Watch the video above to see even more misguided attempts at contraception throughout history. It's produced by charity Engender Health, as part of their Where's the Family Planning campaign, which aims to help bring reliable modern contraceptives to people around the world who wouldn't otherwise have access to them.
Honey, acacia leaves and lint
The Kahun Papyrus. No longer current reading for med students Photo: Wikimedia
Early documentary evidence of birth control comes to us from ancient Egypt. The Kahun Papyrus, which dates to 1850 BC, describes women plugging their vaginas with lint, honey and acacia leaves.
Acacia does in fact kill sperm, and extracts continue to be used in modern spermicide.
Crocodile poo
They used the stuff that came out of the other, less sharp end of the crocodile Photo: Getty
The same Kahun Papyrus, which is also the world's oldest medical text, mentions a number of other items that were used to block the cervix and prevent semen from entering the womb.
One of them is crocodile dung. We do not recommend this. Not at all.
Fish (and other) bladders
We don't know which part the bladder is. Thank God for latex! Photo: Getty
Rubber condoms didn't come into vogue until vulcanised rubber was perfected in the early 19th century. Even after they started making rubber condoms, they were more expensive than "skins" which were still manufactured until shortly after World War I. The bladders and organ linings of a number of animals were used, including fish, sheep and pigs.
While they may have prevented pregnancy, it's unappealing (at least to modern sensibilities) to contemplate being penetrated with what's essentially a penis wrapped in offal.
That acacia and honey combination is actually starting to look pretty good now, right?
Weasel testicles
We're sorry, little guy. Photo: Getty
This one isn't exactly harmful (unless you're a male weasel), because the testicles aren't used internally, but just worn somewhere on the body.
How people in the Middle Ages came to the conclusion that just being near weasel nuts might prevent conception is a totally mystery to us, but again, it's also not crocodile dung.
Coca-Cola
Cola. For oral use only. Photo: Getty
Even today, some women in impoverished areas use Coca-Cola douches as an ad hoc attempt to prevent pregnancy.
While a 2008 study confirmed that the soft drink does kill some sperm, that's no reason to go putting it in your vagina.
Aside from not being particularly effective, the sugar content of the soft drink, along with other considerations, make this idea just as bad as it seems.
Author: Lachlan Williams. Approving editor: Sam Downing.
