User:Absolutelynotwinny/sandbox

Early IUD/IUC Models

The ancient Egyptians used a type of pessary that consisted of a mixture of crocodile dung, that once dried, would be inserted into the vagina. Lemon rinds were also used as an IUC in ancient Egypt to cover the cervix during intercourse. The bronze pessary was a bronze, ring shaped IUC that was used in early Roman civilization, circa 200 BCE to 400 CE. Along with its many uses, such as, supporting the uterus or for other medical needs, it also served as a form of intracervical contraception. It was able to hold its position in the cervix during sexual intercourse; however, it was known to be painful. The wishbone stem pessary was an early intracervical device used to prevent pregnancies. It was a popular method within the end of the 19th century until the early 20th century; however, it eventually died in popularity due to the high risk of infection and unsuccessfulness as a reliable contraception. The gold wishbone stem pessary was invented in Germany in the 1880's and was used up until the 1930's. It prevented pregnancies by stopping the fertilized egg from reaching the uterine lining. Its use was displaced in the 20th century by the IUD. The stem pessary is the early version of the modern IUD. The material of this pessary ranged from rubber and metal to glass. An aluminum stem pessary was introduced in the 1920's by the company, Rauch, in Germany. Another type introduced by gynecologist, Ernst Grafenberg, was used around the same period, and was made of rope, metal wire, and silkworm gut.

Early Condom Models

Ancient time condoms consisted usually of natural animal and plant materials. The first ever documented use of a condom was by King Minos, in which his wife inserted a goat's bladder to her vagina. The condoms used during the time of Ancient Rome were made of linen and sheep and goat bladder, although its use as a contraception was collateral; its initial use was as protection against disease. In China, sheaths made of silk were applied, and in Japan, tortoise shells and leather were used in a similar fashion. Condoms began being recommended to patients in order to protect themselves from venereal diseases in the 16th century. The use of linen carried over into the Renaissance with the use of linen sheaths that were secured with a ribbon. In the 17th century in England, the gut condom was invented by an army doctor. These condoms were fashioned from the intestines of fish and cattle were used amongst soldiers protecting themselves from diseases such as syphilis. Animal intestines continued to be the most popularized version of the condom throughout the 19th century, but was later replaced by the rubber condom in the mid century. The rubber condom, although an improvement from that of animal guts, still proved to be an uncomfortable accessory, and an expensive one at that. This continued, and went through many developments, until latex rubber was introduced in the 1930's. A decade later, plastic and polyurethane condoms were introduced but could not compete with its latex counterpart on the market.