Advances in oral hormonal contraception

Abstract

Various Egyptian medical papyra describe methods for increasing fertility and for decreasing the likelihood of conception. The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the middle of the eighteenth century, resulted in dramatic changes in world economy. The resulting urbanisation brought on major problems of poverty, crowding and over-population with the attendant health hazards. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the birth control movement had got under way first in Britain and subsequently in the United States. The methods of birth control available at the time included natural methods [prolonged lactation, the safe period and coitus interruptus]; barrier techniques [condom, cervical cap and diaphragm]; and surgical interventions [intrauterine device, abortion and sterilization]. Pre-twentieth century contraceptive methods known to have been used in Malta included prolonged lactation, coitus interruptus and abortion. These were generally frowned upon by the clergy and medical community alike.