Sea sponges soaked in vinegar (and other spermicides) were used by some women as barrier contraceptives in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The sponges were inserted to block and absorb semen. However, this traditional method of contraception was not very effective, as the barrier was permeable.The rubber cervical caps are probably from the 1940s. These gave women some influence over their fertility, but were far from reliable.
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Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, Dame Margaret Sparrow Collection
by Rachel Leatham
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