History of Contraceptives

Overview

Once a taboo topic even for private discussion, the development and use of contraceptives has influenced legal history and impacted the lives of women. "Time" magazine identified the invention of the birth control pill as one of the century's revolutionary events. The pill allowed women to plan pregnancies rather than to rely on chance and nature's cycle. Early historical records document the use of condoms and spermicides, but contraceptive breakthroughs were not seen until the twentieth century.

Advances in Science

The development of contraceptives is closely linked to biological study, including the discovery of the ovum (female egg) in 1827, the interaction of the sperm and egg in 1843, the confirmation of the process of human fertilization in 1875, and the discovery of metabolic body chemicals in 1890.

Rhythm Method

Scientific reports published in Austria and Japan in the mid-1920s postulated that the rhythm method might be effective, after long-term studies were conducted exploring fertility during the female menstrual cycle. Researchers reported that pregnancy could be avoided by abstaining from sex during the middle days of the monthly fertility cycle.

Spermicides, Douches and Syringes

As early as 384 B.C., Greek writer Aristotle suggested the use of natural items, including frankincense and cedar oils, as spermicides. Doctor Charles Knowelton marketed a vaginal injection syringe to inhibit the movement of sperm in 1832. This device was the focus of contraception until the 1870s.

Condoms

Condom manufacture was reported in England in 1640 and Casanova wrote of the use of condoms in his journal in 1725, but the invention of vulcanized rubber revolutionized commercial condom production. Natural condoms made from animal intestines created a financial empire for Julius Schmid, who marketed Ramses and Sheik brand condoms beginning in the 1880s.

Diaphragm

Casanova's accounts included use of a lemon shell to cover the cervix. German physician Friedrich Wilde perfected a cervical cap and patented it in 1838. The vulcanization process was also used in production of "womb veils," the term used for diaphragms. Dr. Wilhelm Mensinga developed fitted diaphragms in 1880 and first used the term "diaphragm" in advertising. The device was the most effective form of contraception available until the development of oral contraceptives.

IUD

The first intrauterine device (IUD) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1976. It was widely used until a decade later when several models, including the Dalkon Shield, were removed from the market in the wake of studies showing that the devices increased the occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease. The long-term (five-year) Mirena IUD was introduced in 2002.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Major scientific discoveries in reproduction occurred during the 1920s, with pituitary gland experimentation, identification of the ovarian hormone progesterone, and discovery of estrogen. Endocrinologist Fuller Albright postulated that inhibiting ovulation prevented pregnancy, and suggested using hormone therapy to stop ovulation as early as 1945. Searle marketed Enovid, the first birth control pill, in 1960. Introduction of alternative hormone treatments include low dose and two- and three-phase pills in the 1980s, hormone injections of Depo Provera and Lunelle beginning in 1992, and the introduction in 2003 of an injection allowing women to plan four menstrual cycles per year. Ortho Evra hormone patches and the vaginal hormone ring NuvaRing were introduced in the early 2000s.