Throughout human history, there has always been a desire and need to contracept. That is, a desire to prevent or be able to plan pregnancies or prevent against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Contraceptives have existed in some form or another for several thousands of years. As Norman E. Himes states in his classic Medical History of Contraception, ‘[t]he desire for, as distinct from the achievement of, reliable contraception has been characteristic of many societies widely removed in time and place’ (Himes 1963, xxxvi). Historians of reproduction and sexuality, like Himes and others (Riddle, 1992, 1997; McLaren, 1990), have illustrated the great variety of contraceptive methods people have used throughout history. Examples range considerably, from plugs and tampons made of ‘pulp of pomegranates with alum’ as documented by early Islamic physicians (Himes 1963, 148) to the hard glans[1] condoms made of tortoise shell reported to have been used in Japan (Himes 1963, 131-132).

In his research, Himes outlines and classifies a range of contraceptive techniques used throughout history across different geographic and cultural contexts. Ultimately, without judging their relative efficacy, we can see that a variety of methods and strategies have been employed across these histories and contexts. This includes natural methods such as withdrawal or non-vaginal intercourse, different types of plugs and pessaries, douching[2], condoms made from everything from animal intestines to fabrics, and other methods such as sterilisations or the use of herbs as abortifacients[3] to end unwanted pregnancies.

In reading accounts of contraceptive practices across different historical periods and places, contraception emerges as a complex, multifaceted phenomenon. And, what is particularly interesting to the sociologically inclined, like me, is considering how contraception has been done, under what circumstances, by whom and with what associated meanings and consequences. These were the kinds of questions I explored in my doctoral research, based on stories of young people navigating sex, relationships, and pregnancy and STI prevention in the Swedish context.

In this research briefing, published through the CRFR, I outline and summarise the key findings and insights from this study which is titled “The Work of Contracepting: Young People’s Experiences and Practices with Contraceptives in Sweden”. I also consider the policy implications of this work and provide some practice recommendations.

[1] The glans is the head or tip of the penis

[2] Douching in this context refers to rinsing the vagina of sperm with water or some other liquid. The Greek gynaecologist Soranus wrote about this as early as the 1st-2nd century which he describes as: ‘And during the sexual act, at the critical moment of coitus when the man is about to discharge the seed, the woman must hold her breath and draw herself away a little, so that the seed may not be hurled too deep into the cavity of the uterus. And getting up immediately and squatting down, she should induce sneezing and carefully wipe the vagina all round; she might even drink something cold.’ (McLaren, 1990, 58)

[3] Substances that will induce an abortion