Contraception
How can one prevent something whose origin one doesn't comprehend? The history of contraception includes a long time fumbling in the dark.
Charlatans, wise women, philosophers, and scientists, among others, tried their hands at finding contraceptive methods. But usually, in the early days, successful prevention of pregnancy depended upon sheer coincidence or pure luck.
We will take you along on a journey through the history of mechanical and chemical contraceptives, as well as so called natural methods based on self-observation.
Experience, for example, how women in Antiquity counteracted unwanted pregnancies, or how the Pill first came onto the market.
Why does the IUD (intra uterine device) contain copper?
Even a small amount of copper makes sperm incapable of fertilization.
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Even a small amount of copper makes sperm incapable of fertilization.
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Unbelievable! Pills to prevent pregnancy!
At the beginning of the 1960's, German women's journal Constanze interviewed a female gynecologist from England about the pill.
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At the beginning of the 1960's, German women's journal Constanze interviewed a female gynecologist from England about the pill.
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An instruction for a sheepgut condom
An instruction for the preparation of a sheepgut condom dating back to approximately 1824.
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An instruction for the preparation of a sheepgut condom dating back to approximately 1824.
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Vasectomy
Vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a permanent and usually final and, thus, often controversial method of contraception.
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Vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a permanent and usually final and, thus, often controversial method of contraception.
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Kyusaku Ogino and the calculation of the (in)fertile days in the female cycle
Working but independently of each other, both Ogino and Knaus calculated the fertile and infertile days in the female cycle.
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Working but independently of each other, both Ogino and Knaus calculated the fertile and infertile days in the female cycle.
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Pessaries
Pessaries were developed at the beginning of the twentieth century. These predecessors of today’s coils were inefficient methods of contraception.
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Pessaries were developed at the beginning of the twentieth century. These predecessors of today’s coils were inefficient methods of contraception.
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The Pearl Index
The Pearl Index is used to calculate the number of (unwanted) pregnancies per 100 woman years of exposure.
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The Pearl Index is used to calculate the number of (unwanted) pregnancies per 100 woman years of exposure.
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Dana coils
The IUDs developed by MD Jirí Srácek in the 1960s and named after his spouse are remarkable because of their evolution.
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The IUDs developed by MD Jirí Srácek in the 1960s and named after his spouse are remarkable because of their evolution.
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The first educational publications dealing with birth control
Many of mankind’s attempts to control fertility make us wonder about the ignorance on this subject.
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Many of mankind’s attempts to control fertility make us wonder about the ignorance on this subject.
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The Powder Blower
The usage of a Powder Blower could protect a woman’s vagina against impregnation for 30 minutes.
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The usage of a Powder Blower could protect a woman’s vagina against impregnation for 30 minutes.
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The Dalkon Shield
The not thought through Dalkon Shield, an IUD produced in the 1970s, caused serious and sometimes even disastrous side effects.
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The not thought through Dalkon Shield, an IUD produced in the 1970s, caused serious and sometimes even disastrous side effects.
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The bidet is for vaginal rinsing
The bidet’s true purpose was to rinse the vagina after the coitus.
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The bidet’s true purpose was to rinse the vagina after the coitus.
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Flinging sperm out
Friedrich Eduard Bilz and Iwan Bloch report of flinging the sperm out after the intercourse - not a serious method of contraception!
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Friedrich Eduard Bilz and Iwan Bloch report of flinging the sperm out after the intercourse - not a serious method of contraception!
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Lost Hope
From the bidet to the douche to the double chambered rinse – historical, contraceptive rinsing devices.
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From the bidet to the douche to the double chambered rinse – historical, contraceptive rinsing devices.
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Irrigator for vaginal douche
Douches are not an effective means of contraception and therefore are not recommended!
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Douches are not an effective means of contraception and therefore are not recommended!
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Condoms – a quote from 1927
A thin membrane that is pulled over the male member before intercourse
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A thin membrane that is pulled over the male member before intercourse
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Germany: doctors against over-the-counter ‘morning-after pill’
In most European countries, consumers can go straight away to the chemist to get their ‘morning-after pill’.
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In most European countries, consumers can go straight away to the chemist to get their ‘morning-after pill’.
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Vaginal Rinsing Made Simple
Women inventors think practically and simplify the vaginal douche.
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Women inventors think practically and simplify the vaginal douche.
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Eugenics in Austria – Biopolitical Structures from 1900 to 1945
An introduction to Eugenics in Austria
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An introduction to Eugenics in Austria
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Plant Hormones Made the Contraceptive Pill Possible
Until the 20th century, contraception methods were basically mechanical, and they kept sperm and egg cells separate.
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Until the 20th century, contraception methods were basically mechanical, and they kept sperm and egg cells separate.
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Stay “Youthful, Attractive and Ready to Work” for Your Husband!
In 1929, the vaginal douche Abonor was approved by Austria’s Ministry of Social Policy.
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In 1929, the vaginal douche Abonor was approved by Austria’s Ministry of Social Policy.
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Contraception – a history
by Robert Jütte, Head of the Institute of Medicine at the Robert Bosch Foundation and Stuttgart University
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by Robert Jütte, Head of the Institute of Medicine at the Robert Bosch Foundation and Stuttgart University
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Lactic Acid as a Contraceptive
Prof. Albert Döderlein’s led to the idea of using its ability to block sperm for contraception.
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Prof. Albert Döderlein’s led to the idea of using its ability to block sperm for contraception.
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Just Don’t Try It
‘How can I keep from getting pregnant?’ and ‘How can I get rich?’ Most answers to both questions are similar in one respect: they’re imaginative and absurd.
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‘How can I keep from getting pregnant?’ and ‘How can I get rich?’ Most answers to both questions are similar in one respect: they’re imaginative and absurd.
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What We Can Learn from the Pill
The introduction of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s was unprecedented and a shock:
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The introduction of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s was unprecedented and a shock:
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What women in antiquity used to do for contraception
Charms, little sponges, pomegranate seeds, ginger, olive oil, honey and vinegar were favourite contraceptives
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Charms, little sponges, pomegranate seeds, ginger, olive oil, honey and vinegar were favourite contraceptives
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“The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring is a truly revolutionary measure” (Adolf Hitler, 1934)
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Mr. S.
If an Austrian man wanted to be sterilized before the age of 40, he used to have to take a trip abroad.
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If an Austrian man wanted to be sterilized before the age of 40, he used to have to take a trip abroad.
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Sterilization: Global Practice
As recently as fifty years ago, voluntary sterilization was not possible in Austria.
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As recently as fifty years ago, voluntary sterilization was not possible in Austria.
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The Diaphragm
The diaphragm was developed towards the end of the 19th century by Doctor Wilhelm Mensinga.
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The diaphragm was developed towards the end of the 19th century by Doctor Wilhelm Mensinga.
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British Album with Advertisements for Contraceptives
Approximately 400 brochures, price lists, labels and advertisements, the majority for contraceptives, can be found in a red album.
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Approximately 400 brochures, price lists, labels and advertisements, the majority for contraceptives, can be found in a red album.
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It’s better to wait to be a mom
Bristol Palin wants to keep other young people from having to raise an unplanned baby.
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Bristol Palin wants to keep other young people from having to raise an unplanned baby.
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The Pill Advances the Women’s Movement
The German journalist and writer Barbara Sichtermann wrote the following about the contraceptive pill’s effect on the women’s movement.
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The German journalist and writer Barbara Sichtermann wrote the following about the contraceptive pill’s effect on the women’s movement.
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Great Britain: Reducing Teen Pregnancy
As part of a pilot project women and girls over the age of 16 have received contraceptive pills directly at the chemist’s, without prescriptions.
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As part of a pilot project women and girls over the age of 16 have received contraceptive pills directly at the chemist’s, without prescriptions.
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Contraception with Plants
On the Rediscovery of an Old Tradition of Self-determined Birth Control.
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On the Rediscovery of an Old Tradition of Self-determined Birth Control.
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1909: Legal Battle over Zeppelin Condoms
On 2 July 1900, approximately 12,000 spectators gathered at Lake Constance to witness the first flight of an airship based on Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s idea.
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On 2 July 1900, approximately 12,000 spectators gathered at Lake Constance to witness the first flight of an airship based on Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s idea.
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Maiden Tea
This 1920 recipe for what was known as maiden tea is a charming relic from a romanticised feeling of being close to nature.
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This 1920 recipe for what was known as maiden tea is a charming relic from a romanticised feeling of being close to nature.
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Man, Is That Cold!
Around 1900, when Friedrich Robert criticised the effectiveness of vaginal rinses, not very many methods of contraception were available, none of which was reliable.
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Around 1900, when Friedrich Robert criticised the effectiveness of vaginal rinses, not very many methods of contraception were available, none of which was reliable.
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The Language of Contraception: Camouflage and Euphemism
The unambiguous term anti-baby pill did not become socially acceptable until the 1960s.
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The unambiguous term anti-baby pill did not become socially acceptable until the 1960s.
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Why the hurry? Sperm cells move at record-breaking speed
The unbelievable power of ejaculation raises the question why is it necessary. What’s the need for the hurry?
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The unbelievable power of ejaculation raises the question why is it necessary. What’s the need for the hurry?
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First, Take a Garden Hose...
After having sex they disappeared into the shower, usually with a hose that was about 1.5m in length.
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After having sex they disappeared into the shower, usually with a hose that was about 1.5m in length.
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Tell Me What I Want to Know, Not What You Want to Tell Me
Informational materials tailored to patient needs reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies
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Informational materials tailored to patient needs reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies
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The ‘Elevator of the Second Rib’ and the ‘Transverse Colon’
The young man in the 1911 book “Woman as the Doctor at Home” by Dr Jenny Springer wears nothing more than a fig leaf.
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The young man in the 1911 book “Woman as the Doctor at Home” by Dr Jenny Springer wears nothing more than a fig leaf.
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Health Manuals: The Netdoctors of the Turn of the Century
At the turn of the last century, health manuals served the same purpose as Internet forums and netdoctors do today.
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At the turn of the last century, health manuals served the same purpose as Internet forums and netdoctors do today.
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