Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Ancient Birth Control

Birth Control Through The Ages…

Wonder How She Got Him to Wear It:

A French cave painting from 10,000 B.C. shows a man wearing a condom during intercourse.

Early Birth Control:

Egyptian women inserted the tips of an acacia shrub (plus dates, cotton, and honey). Body temperature fermented it into an ingredient now found in spermicides.

And We Complain About Latex?

A brew of alcohol and dried beaver testicle was used to prevent pregnancy during the 1700s.

Commandeered Caps:

During WWII, a British company made cervical caps from rubber originally destined for hotel flooring.

The Yesterday Sponge:

Women in Constantinople reportedly used a sponge dipped in lemon juice as a form of birth control.

SOURCE FOR FACTOIDS: THE CONTRACEPTIVE MUSEUM, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (EGYPT, CONSTANTINOPLE, PREGNANCY IN 1700S); WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE, A PRACTICAL JOURNAL FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS (CONDOMS). TUBES: INSADCO PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY