People have been using birth control for thousands of years. Birth control has not only been an issue throughout history, but also among cultures. In ancient Greece, linen condoms, dried fish powder, and sea sponges were used as contraceptives. In ancient Egypt women used dried crocodile dung and honey as vaginal suppositories to prevent pregnancy. One of the earliest mentions of contraceptive vaginal suppositories appears in the Ebers Medical Papyrus , a medical guide written between 1550 and 1500 BC. Women not only used certain items to prevent pregnancy but also ate or drank substances not only to prevent pregnanc

The most effective and reliable way to avoid conception is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Sadly, this is not an option for most people in society. “According to the largest national scientific study of sexual behavior of adults in America, published in 1994, fewer than 7% of men and 20% of women ages 18-59 were virgins when they were married”(Hurley). Not only has sexual behavior been abundant, but birth control has also had an impact. In England, before 1910, only 15% of couples used a method of birth control. A major increase is evident from 1935-1939 in which 66% of married couples used a method of birth control. In the United States in 1982, 68% of married couples ranging from ages 15-44 used a contraceptive method. In Thailand, use of contraceptives jumped from 15% in 1970 to nearly 60% in 1981. In Mexico use of birth control rose from 30% in 1976 to more than 40% in the 1980’s. The increase in the use of contraceptives was also evident in Bangladesh as it rose from 8% in 1975 to more than 20% in 1984. The tendency of increasing use of birth control can be correlated to the fact that countries with weak birth control services have been less successful.

y, but to induce miscarriage. Concoctions of plants and herbs such as Queen Anne’s lace, pennyroyal, and giants fennel were used as oral contraceptives. As for men, colorful penis coverings can be traced back to ancient Egypt where they were used more as a decorative item than a contraceptive. In the 16th century the Italian anatomist Fallopius described linen sheaths to be used to protect against syphilis. Condoms made of sheep intestines were then created by a physician in the court of King Charles II of England. It was not until 1844, after the vulcanization of rubber, that the condom was widely used as a birth control device. These various forms of contraception did serve the purpose during their time. Although they didn’t have the high efficacy rates of today’s devices, they are noted as precedents of modern day birth control methods.

Among the most common birth control methods in modern day society are: birth control pills, injected contraceptives, condoms, and spermicides. Birth control pills are prescription drugs containing female hormones. One pill is taken daily to prevent ovaries from releasing eggs and or to thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from re

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