Last update:
28-Sep-2019

Contraception was a common practice of birth control in Byzantine society. It was a method that was used by both women and men. The reasons for contraceptive use, ranged from prostitution to the family poverty, preservation of the body's beauty, hatred towards the spouse, and even preservation of the family in the case of an extramarital relationship. Doctors of that era report a variety of prescriptions, substances and methods used to achieve contraception, highlighting the risks and the inadequacy of some of the methods. The substances used were either derived from plans, such as strychnine, cynarobic and pancreatic root, or animals, such as the skin or the uterus of the calf, frog's brain and lion fat, and various chemicals such as sulphuric, hydrochloride or nitric acid. The most common forms of contraceptive formulations were pills, syrups, ointments and vaginal pessaries. Apart from these physical methods, a variety of amulets and magical prayers were used. The contraceptive method used by men involved spreading various formulations that were considered spermicidal over the penis before intercourse. The majority of doctors of this period stressed the importance of contraception rather than abortion; therefore reporting a multitude of methods and prescriptions to prevent conception.

Key words: Byzantine empire, Byzantine medicine, Contraception.