WOMEN'S RIGHTS THROUGH CONTRACEPTION
Contraception has been around for thousands of years in a variety of forms. A main focus of this birth control has been put on women but could cause harm to the individual or adverse side effects, even today there are limited male contraception methods. Therefore we will be discussing the topic of woman's rights through past, present and future contreception.
In the Victorian era, women would use douching as a method to clear the vagina post-sex, but took this to a new level with anti-septic douching. This caused chemical burns as well as killed multiple people (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.a). All the way back to the ancient Egyptians birth control methods have been used in this way, as if not abstaining from sex or using the pull-out method, a concoction of crocodile dung and fermented dough was used as a spermicide (to kill sperm after sex) (Our Bodies Ourselves, n.d.).
The Victorian era had a variety of methods in America for contraception. Birth control included liquids to be inserted into the vagina as spermicide containing a range of chemicals, cervical caps, diaphragms, douching systems, and condoms, which were one of the only male contraceptives (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.b). Home remedies were often made with oils as spermicides, preventative action, or to initiate a miscarriage as well as methods such as insertion of honey or lemon juice sponges into the vagina (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.a).
An early linen condom that could be washed and reused. Allen, P. (2007). Trigger Issues, One Small Item, One Giant Impact: Condom [Image]. Oxford, New Internationalist. p. 14. https://18centurybodies.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/british-contraception-in-the-eighteenth-century/
An early linen condom that could be washed and reused. Allen, P. (2007). Trigger Issues, One Small Item, One Giant Impact: Condom [Image]. Oxford, New Internationalist. p. 14. https://18centurybodies.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/british-contraception-in-the-eighteenth-century/
These methods were not always available through a doctor, however, as birth control clinics only emerged in 1916 in the USA, and were often shut down shortly after establishment. Although contraception like condoms and cervical caps were available over the counter at pharmacies in the 1870s promoting easy access to them, in the USA during this time rules were implemented restricting postage of them (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.b; Our Bodies Ourselves, n.d.). Contraception also was required to be labeled as feminine hygiene products as a loophole to laws restricting access (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.a). Over time, these rules have slowly been negotiated, leading into the 20th century. By the 1950s, anti-birth-control methods existed in only 30 states (Public Broadcasting Service, n.d.b). This leads to one of the revolutionary periods of birth control however through the formation of the pill in the 1960s.
Invented in the 1960's Frank Colton made the first commercially available birth control pill. Multiple forms of the contraception pill include both a mini pill and a morning-after pill. In the present time, pills are solely for women's use only. There is often a lot of stigma and negative connotations around this form of contraception. However, because the pill is so easy to access for any woman who has begun their period, a lot of liberation comes with it.
Other forms of contraception used in the present:
Morning-After Pill:
In 1977, Yupze and Lance developed an emergency contraception for humans. This is a pill that is taken the ‘morning after’ sexual activities and is said to be for emergencies only.
https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/contraception/emergency-contraceptive-pill
IUD:
In 1909, Richard Richter, a physician from Germany, developed one of the first IUDs. An IUD is an intrauterine device (IUD) and is a piece of T-shaped plastic, about the size of a quarter, that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is very common nowadays and is known to frequently stop a woman’s period therefore eliminating the chances of pregnancy.
Condoms:
The first rubber condom was produced in 1855, and by the late 1850s, several major rubber companies were mass-producing, among other items, rubber condoms. As mentioned previously, the condom is very commonly used from the past now till the present.
DUREX Extra Safe Condom 12pk
Abortion:
Different countries and religions have different ideologies about abortions. Their views and beliefs affect many women who are struggling with a big decision. Whether abortion is legal, like in New Zealand, the right to choose should always be allowed. If you choose not to get one or if you decide you want one you should always be able to make that decision yourself. Throughout the years, these issues have been brought up multiple times. In present times, issues around Roe V. Wade are most prevalent.
Roe V. Wade:
The Roe V. Wade was a law introduced in early 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Roe V. Wade is a landmark decision the U.S. Supreme Court made that protected the right to have an abortion. "The Court held that a set of Texas statutes criminalising abortion in most instances violated a woman’s constitutional right of privacy, which it found to be implicit in the liberty guarantee of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment" (Shorthand, 2023). It was therefore decided that there is a right to liberty in the Constitution, which protects personal privacy. This therefore included the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy or not.
The future of contraceptives may look very different compared to present and past contraception. Where past contraception has focused its making and creations around the body of women, future contraceptives have made an attempt to turn that on its head. Future contraception is much more commonly based around the body of a male and how a male can have the option to not be able to get a woman pregnant. Also when looking at the future of contraception it is important to acknowledge the abortion laws in America and what the future will look like for legal abortions in America.
There is a product currently going through clinical trials called ADAM. ADAM is a hydrogel that is inserted into the tubes that transport sperm through injection. The gel works to stop the sperm from travelling down these tubes yet it still allows ejaculation and does not affect the male sensation during intercourse. The gel is designed to last at least a year in the male's body, making it a lot more effective than the female birth control pill. Again in comparison to the female birth control pill, the gel has little to no effect on the male's hormones compared to the major effects present birth control can have on the female.
There is also a non-hormonal contraceptive pill for males that is in the very early stages of creation. This is the most similar male contraceptive to the very commonly known female birth control. Although one of the biggest downsides to the female pill is the hormone effects, scientists are aiming for this pill to have little to no effects on the male's hormones.
It is also important to acknowledge the future of abortion laws in America for women when talking about the future of contraceptives. Abortions are what many women use as a form of safety net that allows them to fully have the choice over whether or not they want to have a child. After the overturning of Roe V Wade in America, it took away the option for women. Bans on abortions can be much more dangerous for women than you think as it brings in the idea of at-home abortions and other very dangerous and unhealthy ways to avoid giving birth and becoming a mother.
To conclude, women's rights through contraception have been a highly contested area. Although a large amount of liberation has occurred through access to birth control over the counter and methods that are less invasive on the body (such as using the pill instead of acidic liquids on sponges), the state of women's freedom through bodily autonomy is still something being questioned. Future contraception has the ability to be more liberating by imposing control not just on women or even easier to use.
References
Websites:
Abrams, A. (2022). The Fight Over Abortion Has Only Just Begun. Time. https://time.com/6190995/abortion-future-after-roe/
American Chemical Society. (2022). A non-hormonal pill could soon expand men’s birth control options. American Chemical Society. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2022/march/non-hormonal-pill-could-soon-expand-mens-birth-control-options.html
Our Bodies Ourselves. (n.d.). A Brief History of Birth Control. https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-brief-history-of-birth-control/
Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.a). Birth Control Before the Pill. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/pill-birth-control-pill/.
Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.b). A Timeline of Contraception. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/pill-timeline/.
Tilley, C. (2022). Finally a reliable male contraceptive? Gel injected into abdomen blocks the release of semen for TWO YEARS. Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11470237/Finally-reliable-male-contraceptive-Gel-injected-abdomen-blocks-semen.html
Images:
Allen, P. (2007). Trigger Issues, One Small Item, One Giant Impact: Condom [Image]. Oxford, New Internationalist. p. 14.
American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Birth Control Pills, Patches & Devices. [Image]. https://americanpregnancy.org/category/unplanned-pregnancy/birth-control-pills-patches-and-devices/
Contraline. (2022). New male contraceptive does not involve hormones (Photograph). Medical Press. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-male-contraceptive-involve-hormones.html
Feliz, E. (2013). Birth Control in the Nineteenth Century [Image]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/elycefeliz/8456247068
Getty Images. (2019). The 3 most promising new methods of male birth control, explained (Photograph). Vox. https://www.vox.com/2018/4/4/17170262/male-birth-control-explained
Museum of Contraception and Abortion. (2013). Crocodile or elephant dung [Image]. https://muvs.org/en/contraception/barriers/crocodile-or-elephant-dung-id2519/
Notes From the Frontier. (2019). Women Found Ways to Control Their Pregnancies & Destiny. [Image]. https://www.notesfromthefrontier.com/post/1800s-birth-control
Emergency Contraceptive Pill - Family Planning. (2023). Familyplanning.org.nz. https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/contraception/emergency-contraceptive-pill
The birth control pill turns 60: How far have contraceptives come in Europe? (2020). Cgtn.com. https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-08-19/The-pill-turns-60-How-far-have-contraceptives-come-in-Europe--T42Dj8cBBS/index.html
Joy, T. (2022). The Male Contraceptive Pill: is it positive? (Photograph). News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Male-Contraceptive-Pill-is-it-possible.aspx
Sullivan, K. (2022, May 23). What Are the Best and Worst Birth Control Options? EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health-pictures/the-11-best-birth-control-options-for-women.aspx
The New York Times. (2023). Tracking Abortion Bans Across the Country (Photograph). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html
Videos:
Global News. (2023,July). Roe v. Wade overturned: Abortion rights campaigners protest on anniversary of historic decision. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=8yiObBm6pT4&list=PPSV
The Atlantic. (2015, February 15). A Brief History of Contraception. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZWqbD5cXso
Untold History. (2020, October 22). The History of Birth Control. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB4COKSADzM
Text:
(Shorthand, 2023) Roe v. Wade | Summary, Origins, & Influence | Britannica. (2023). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Roe-v-Wade
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