Bizarre tricks people try to prevent unwanted pregnancy (thankfully few of these are not in use any more)

Unwanted pregnancy scares every couple

While pregnancy is welcomed with open arms, many times it worries couples; especially those who do not want it at that particular time for some obvious reasons. In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy, couples are suggested to opt for medical techniques. However, many couples opt for weird tricks to prevent pregnancy. Below are a few such tricks which people use and have used earlier to prevent pregnancies and we are thankful that many such pregnancy tricks are not used currently.

Vaginal steaming

The knowledge around pregnancy is so little and people are so uneducated about pregnancy that several weird methods are done to avoid conception.
One such method is vaginal steaming. Many use this method of steaming the vagina over a pot of steaming herbs. Of all the several benefits women think this gives, one benefit they feel is prevention of unwanted pregnancy.

Use of lemon

It is hard to believe that earlier people used to insert lemon juices into their vagina to prevent pregnancy.

The practice of lemon as a pregnancy prevention tip was prevalent from the idea that lemon juice had spermicidal qualities and would prevent pregnancy.

However, the use of lemon for this purpose is no longer followed these days.

Use of lead and mercury

Did you know during ancient times women used liquid mercury, liquid lead, or arsenic to prevent pregnancy?

Women used to gulp a mixture of these poisonous chemicals to prevent conception. Ultimately these used to lead to kidney and lung failure.

Olive oil

During ancient times, people believed that olive oil mixed with cedar oil can help prevent pregnancy.

They believed that this mixture has spermicide qualities and decreases the mobility of sperms.

What to do instead?

To avoid pregnancy one should use condoms along with other contraceptive methods like diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, birth control pills, contraceptive patch on back, buttocks, stomach and upper arm, and intrauterine devices and implants.

A woman gets pregnant when the contraception method fails. Signs like missed period, enlarged breasts, fatigue, increased urination, nausea and vomiting indicate pregnancy.