All About Birth Control

Throughout history, people have been trying to avoid becoming pregnant. Animal intestines were used for hundreds of years as primitive condoms. Mixtures intended to slow or stop sperm were fashioned out of lemon or acacia fruit and honey. In ancient Greece, a species of fennel became extinct after it was harvested for its contraceptive properties.

The invention of the diaphragm (a cap covering the cervix) at the end of the 19th century, followed by latex condoms in the 1930s, gave people more control over reproducing. However, even the modern equivalents of these barrier methods are only 85–88% effective in average use.

Hormonal birth control

The invention of hormonal birth control in the 1960s was life-changing for many people. These methods are more than 90% effective, even accounting for mistakes in use. They also don’t need to be used every time sex occurs, so don’t rely on a sexual partner’s cooperation for them to work.

Hormonal contraception also does more than prevent pregnancy. It was originally licensed in the USA to regulate menstruation and it is commonly used to reduce acne and to manage PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) among other conditions.