The Ancient Egyptians were indeed quite innovative in their approach to preventing unwanted pregnancies. One such method involved inserting crocodile dung into the vagina as a form of contraception. It is believed that the Egyptians may have thought that the dung would create a barrier to block sperm or that its alkaline properties might have been effective in killing sperm.
However, it is unclear whether this method actually worked as a reliable contraceptive. What is clear, though, is that the use of crocodile dung was unhygienic and potentially dangerous. Introducing a foreign and unsanitary substance into the vagina could have led to infections, irritation, or other health issues.
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When crocodile dung enters the vagina, it chemically neutralizes sperm to the same extent as contemporary spermicides. Apparently, the paste would dilute the dung to make it non-infectious. In India, elephant dung was used as a contraceptive.
In ancient Egypt, there were other weird but surprisingly functional medical items, including the oldest known example of a pregnancy test: Women who might be pregnant could urinate on wheat and barley seeds over a few days: “If the barley grows, the child will be a boy.”. “If the wheat grows, the child will be a girl.”. If both do not grow, she will not bear at all.” In 1963, researchers found that pregnant women’s urine promoted growth 70% of the time, whereas non-pregnant women’s and men’s urine did not.
Growth of the barley or the wheat?
I would assume both. Although it’s not a good test for determining gender, it might determine whether or not you’re pregnant. The grains might grow faster when pregnant women’s urine contains more hormones.
That is fascinating.
I heard something similar on the History of English podcast. Before the Norman conquest, an Old English medical book contained recipes for potions and poultices for a variety of common ailments. One recipe for a cure for an eye infection actually had antiseptic properties, killing samples of infectious bacteria, some of which were antibiotic-resistant. Researchers tried out some of those recipes to see if they worked, and found one had antiseptic properties. It was made with onions or garlic and a few other ingredients.
Until the latter half of the 20th century, women’s urine was injected into animals and their reactions were observed. Until recently, it was pretty sketchy.
Also, they discovered that peeing on a type of wheat/grain confirmed a pregnancy up to about 75% (the scene in The Great made me look it up, fascinating.)
Probably, because it would prevent sex too.
That probably cut down on cunnilingus.