Brief History of Birth Control

Birth control is a preventative measure used by millions of women.  What many people do not know is that birth control actual has an extensive history dating back to ancient times in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  Birth control today can mean a variety of things, but one of the most popular and heavily used methods comes in pill-form.  These medications help prevent pregnancy, but they also assist women that have severe cramps, unusual cycles, prevents migraines, and can help clear up your skin.  Other methods of birth control include surgical as well as non-surgical procedures. However, some methods like the Essure birth control method have led to Essure lawsuits being filed across the country.

In the 1800s, historic cultures used everything from the wax on certain leaves to crocodile dung as a form of contraceptive.  Today’s medications are thankfully modernized and are also healthier with plenty of options available.  These drugs can be taken at specific times so that women only cycle 3 to 4 times a year.  There are conventional pills, extended-cycle, low-dose, multiphasic, and monophasic birth control medications available on the market today.  Common birth control pills are Yaz, Previfem, Lessina, Ocella, Apri, and Levora.

In the early 1900s, Margaret Sanger opened one of the first clinics on the U.S.  The clinic was a basic birth-control establishment which was raided by law enforcement and Sanger spent a month in prison for it.  She was released and continued to pursue her business even though she did more jail time for it.  Margaret also competed research and wrote information for the first birth control pill and raised over 100,000 dollars for the project.

In 1960, Envid hit the market as the first birth control method that received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Five years later, the Supreme Court ruled that married couples had permission to use contraceptives.  It was previously illegal.  Although the Supreme Court ruled in favor, many states still continued to forbid unmarried women from purchasing or using and form of birth control.

Fast forward to the early 2000s, where contraceptives moved beyond only oral form to implants, vaginal rings, and even products like Essure, which is a transcervical female sterilization method.  With any form of contraceptive there are side effects, and some are more serious than others.  Women who used the device reported issues, and an Essure attorney may be a good option.  With any implants or sterilization methods, women need to talk to their doctor to make sure they are informed of any and all risks before deciding on the best birth control method for them.