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What Was the First Hormonal Form of Birth Control?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Modern hormonal birth control originated in 1960, when Enovid®, the first birth control pill, was widely marketed for the first time. Refinements of dosage and delivery systems led to introductions of lower-dosage pills in the 1980s, along with a plethora of birth control options, such as the patch, the ring and implantable hormonal birth control. The history of hormonal birth control, however, is actually much older than many people realize; the first form of hormonal birth control is believed to have been a plant called silphion or silphium, which was used to prevent pregnancy as early as 700 B.C.

Ancient Birth Control

Progesterone testing on rabbits helped produce the first birth control pills.
Progesterone testing on rabbits helped produce the first birth control pills.

Little is known about silphion, because the plant appears to be extinct. Evidence from drawings and writings about the plant suggest that it was in the parsley family and that it might have resembled giant fennel. The plant also was greatly valued, especially after its contraceptive properties were realized, and it appears on coins and in frescoes. After the birth control properties of silphion were realized, the plant was over-harvested, and all evidence suggests that it vanished by the first century A.D. Almost 2,000 years passed before another form of hormonal birth control emerged.

Modern Development

A form of birth control, an intrauterine device (IUD) delivers the hormone progestin to the uterus.
A form of birth control, an intrauterine device (IUD) delivers the hormone progestin to the uterus.

The roots of modern birth control lie in Dioscorea mexicana, a type of Mexican yam. In 1944, researchers founded Syntex Laboratories to exploit the properties of this plant, which produced, among other things, progesterone. Research on the hormone indicated that it was effective at preventing pregnancy in rabbits, and in 1951, it was successfully synthesized. Tests for a hormonal birth control pill began only a few years later, and in 1960, Enovid® went on sale.

Enovid®, the first birth control pill that was widely marketed, became available in 1960.
Enovid®, the first birth control pill that was widely marketed, became available in 1960.

When hormonal birth control was initially released, the side effects were quite severe, indicating that the dosage was too high. Tweaking the dosage yielded low-dosage phased pills in the 1980s, and by 1990, the first implantable form of birth control was on the market. This was soon followed by birth control shots.

Newer Forms

In 1998, emergency contraception entered the market, and since 2000, several new forms of hormonal birth control have been released, including the birth control patch and insertable devices. The introductions of different dosages and delivery methods have made birth control accessible to women who lead a wide variety of lifestyles. Any woman who is considering the use of hormonal birth control should consult with a doctor to determine the method that is best for her.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

jennythelib

@ElizaBennett - I see your point, but to me, hormonal birth control is a key part of women's liberation (to use an old-fashioned phrase).

Hormonal methods are still the most effective and the easiest to use. Condoms? Easy to run out, forget, etc. And other barrier methods, like the diaphragm, just aren't that effective. I've heard that the Fertility Awareness Method is surprisingly effective, but it lends itself to impulse decisions. (Hey! Let's have a baby this month after all!)

So hormonal methods let women plan when and if they want to have children - which lets them carry out other goals, like career and education. I agree that science can do better and I hope research continues, but let's not write off the most effective methods we have!

ElizaBennett

I have to say, I just can't stand hormonal birth control. I tried it myself when I was in college and I didn't realize until I went off it how much it was messing with my body - not just my menstrual cycle. For one thing, it made my blood pressure and my resting heart rate noticeably higher! Turns out it was also squashing my sex drive.

And although they tell you that at least with the pill, you can get pregnant right away, not everyone has that experience. My sister went months without having a period at all once she went off the pill and it took her almost a year and a half to get pregnant.

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    • Progesterone testing on rabbits helped produce the first birth control pills.
      By: rusugrig
      Progesterone testing on rabbits helped produce the first birth control pills.
    • A form of birth control, an intrauterine device (IUD) delivers the hormone progestin to the uterus.
      By: tomschoumakers
      A form of birth control, an intrauterine device (IUD) delivers the hormone progestin to the uterus.
    • Enovid®, the first birth control pill that was widely marketed, became available in 1960.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      Enovid®, the first birth control pill that was widely marketed, became available in 1960.