History of Birth Control

Long ago, around 200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus says that women become fertile during ovulation. He suggested a few tips on birth control for women to avoid unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm, drinking water used by blacksmith to cool hot metal and jump backward seven times after sexual relations.

Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, according to historical records of Egyptian women found that using some herbal or acid substances such as crocodile dung or lubricants like honey oil or olive household as a vaginal suppository, which they might have been found effective in killing sperm.

However, commercial use of birth controls methods starting in 1960 in the form of birth control pills. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptive pill which is harmless, universally acceptable and safe for the husband and wife.

After under going many tests with more than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti, it was 1960 when the first commercially produced birth pill called Enovid-10 was introduced for women in the United States. This is the first oral contraceptives do with two hormones estrogen (100-175 micrograms) and progestin (10 mg). They are proven 99% effective if taken as directed. By estimation, more than 18 million U.S. women rely on birth control pills