Open Research will be updating the system on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, from 8:15 to 9:00 AM. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Cultural advice

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that ANU Library collections may include images, names, voices, and other representations of deceased persons.

Material in the collection may contain terms, language or views that reflect the period in which the item was created and may be considered inappropriate today.

Contraception - of potions, pills and social change

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

Authors

Berry, Jacqueline
Lim, Boon

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Abstract

The use of contraceptive methods is not a new phenomenon. Practices like coitus interruptus, vaginal pessaries made from crocodile dung and plant extracts and a wide variety of potions, spells and balms have been well documented in the history of virtually every ancient culture. Norman Himes (N Engl J Med 1934;210.11;576-81) postulated 'the persistence of such folk practices for thousands of years is convincing proof of the thesis that women in all cultures in all ages have desired to control their fertility to have a reasonable number of children at convenient times and under the conditions desired'.

Description

Keywords

Citation

Source

BJOG - an international journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2099-12-31
abcd