Introduction: A woman has about 30 years of contraceptive experience. How did she use contraception in ancient times when there were no condoms? Historically, women have had contraception for almost 40,000 years! In these long 4,000 years, what endless and even incredible contraceptive methods have emerged?
This article will reveal to you how women in ancient times used contraception.
Ancient Egyptian Contraceptive Method
Pomegranate Seed Contraceptive Method
The oldest contraceptive method in the world may have been invented and used by the ancient Egyptians 4,000 years ago. It was a cone made of pomegranate seeds and wax. Pomegranate seeds contain natural estrogen. This thing can suppress ovulation just like birth control pills. Although it is not as effective as current pills, it can indeed suppress pregnancy. In addition to methods of inhibiting ovulation, the use of "barrier methods" also has a profound history.
How women in ancient times used contraception
Animal feces for contraception
A contraceptive prescription recorded in an Egyptian papyrus can be said to be the earliest pharmaceutical contraceptive method in mankind. This prescription instructs to mix crocodile feces and a paste-like substance, make it into strips, and place it in the vagina, which has the effect of absorbing the vagina and blocking the vagina from entering the uterus. There is no record of the effectiveness of this method, but some people like to use elephant dung instead of crocodile dung.
Before the 13th century, elephant dung had been an important "external contraceptive" used by them. Modern scholars have conducted research on this, and the results are quite interesting: elephant dung is acidic and has a spermicidal effect, but crocodile dung is alkaline, which is beneficial to the survival of sperm.
Contraceptive methods recommended by Aristotle
Killer method
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle from 384 BC to 322 BC De is considered to be the first to propose the use of natural chemicals such as cedar oil, lead-based ointment or frankincense oil as antimicrobials
Carrot seeds are a natural method of contraception
In 421 BC, Aristotle mentioned the use of mint plants as a contraceptive, and Hippocrates (460-377 BC) discovered that wild carrot seeds could prevent pregnancy. It is said that giant fennel was so popular as an expensive but effective contraceptive method that by the end of the 3rd century BC, the plant even became extinct.
Wool "emboli" contraception
A more reliable method was proposed by a Roman obstetrician and gynecologist in the 2nd century AD. He suggested making a "plug" of wool, mixing it with a paste that would slow down the vagina, and plugging it into the uterine opening. It is not difficult to see that this is really like a modern contraceptive device, the diaphragm.
Salt Contraception
As for Indians, they may be the first to understand that salt has a contraceptive effect. An ancient medical book recommends that women insert a piece of "oiled rock salt" into the vagina before having sex to achieve contraceptive purposes. Sometimes, honey or butter can also be applied to the vagina to kill intruders. *** of*** .
*** Interruption Method and Subsequent Remedy Method
The oldest contraceptive method that is still used by people today is the "*** Interruption Method". In ancient Jewish customs, when an elder brother dies without leaving any descendants, the younger brother is obliged to marry the widow and make the boy born to him the legal heir of the deceased brother.
According to the Bible, Onan, the son of Judah, disobeyed his father's orders and sprinkled the seeds on the ground when he was having fun with his widowed sister-in-law. He refused to sow seeds for his brother. As a result, God became angry and killed O'nan. South. Although Onan died, the "On-ami ***" named after him has been passed down. Although God does not allow it, this method has been used by many good men and women.
This is an artificial method of contraception, and there is also the "post-mortem method" advocated by a Roman obstetrician and gynecologist. He said that after a man has sex, a woman should hold her breath, move her body back, then stand up immediately, squat with her knees bent, sneeze to let the vagina flow out, and rinse the vagina thoroughly. I believe that many women would find it difficult to accomplish such a complicated step, but the last step may have certain practical effects.
British Gentleman’s Contraceptive Method: Condoms Soaked in Milk
The oldest existing condoms in the world were recently exhibited for the first time at the British Museum in London. Historians have studied their The size is confusing. These 350-year-old condoms are made from the small intestines of animals. One end is sewn tightly with silk thread, and the opening at the other end can be tightened to prevent slipping. For lovers in the 17th century, this type of condom was difficult to use immediately when needed, because the condom had to be soaked in warm milk overnight before use.
Secret Recipes for Contraception in the Ancient Chinese Palace
According to relevant historical records, there are roughly six secret recipes for contraception in the ancient palace:
Use "Liaodu Patch" .
This secret recipe is to put musk into a woman's belly button to achieve the contraceptive function. Historically, there are records of two sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede, taking such contraceptive measures in the Han Dynasty. However, the secret recipe of this "belly patch" has been lost now.
Wash with "Saffron Wash".
There are records in historical records that saffron is the most effective contraceptive recipe in the palace. If the emperor does not like a favored maid, he will ask the eunuch to hang the maid upside down and give it to her. Wash the lower body with the liquid of crushed saffron. It is said that this can cleanse the vagina from the palace maid's body.
Emergency Contraception: Squeeze Method
In ancient times, the emperors had three palaces and six courtyards, and countless concubines and palace maids. The "supreme" emperor was in debauchery and bliss, and at the same time, he loved the "dragon" The reproduction of "children, dragons and grandchildren" is subject to certain selection and restrictions.
According to "The Unofficial History of the Qing Dynasty-Qing Palace Relics": After the emperor had sex with his concubine, the eunuch in charge of the court room "will kneel down and ask for orders, 'Should I stay?'" If the emperor said not to, then the eunuch would "The general manager goes to the concubine's posterior acupuncture point and presses it slightly, and all the dragon essence will flow out." When it comes to retention, the emperor favors a certain concubine on a certain day of a certain month and a certain time, and writes it in a book as proof of pregnancy, and calls this "Customized by ancestors in palace confinement".
This method of slightly pressing the "posterior acupuncture points" of the concubine to cause vaginal discharge was the "emergency contraception" remedy after intercourse in the ancient palace.
Drink "cooling medicine".
"Liangyao" is a contraceptive decoction containing musk. This decoction can not only achieve the effect of contraception, but also has the function of abortion. After Cixi entered the palace and was favored by Xianfeng, her first pregnancy was secretly aborted with musk.
Use "condoms".
The earliest "condoms" in history were made from sheep casings or pig bladders. According to true historical records, the "condoms" used in Western medieval palaces were animal casings, and they also had a nice name, called "Dutch caps."
It was introduced to China after the Ming and Qing Dynasties and became a commonly used contraceptive in the Chinese court. Ancient people also used fish fat as "condoms". Among the museum's collections are condoms made by ancient people from sheep intestines, which are somewhat close to the prototype of modern condoms.
Drink "mercury".
Drinking mercury as a contraceptive method is effective, but it does great harm to the body. In the palace, a small amount of mercury was added to the tea drank by concubines or palace maids who needed contraception. This is not harmful to the body, and the effect is very good.