Ancient Egyptians Used Crocodile Dung as Birth Control

When it comes to preventing pregnancy, ancient Egyptians didn't mess around—they used crocodile dung. Around 2000 BC, Egyptian physicians were prescribing contraceptive pessaries made from crocodile excrement mixed with fermented paste, honey, or sodium carbonate. The Kahun Papyrus (1850 BC) and the Petri Papyrus detail these recipes, making them among the oldest documented birth control methods in human history.

Before you recoil in disgust, here's the twist: it actually worked. At least, better than you'd expect.

The Science Behind the Scat

Crocodile dung contraception operated on two levels. Chemically, crocodile feces is alkaline—similar in pH to modern spermicides. When inserted into the vagina as a pessary (a small plug or suppository), it created an environment that could neutralize sperm on contact. The alkalinity disrupted the sperm's ability to survive and swim toward an egg.

The physical component was equally important. The dung mixture created a physical barrier between the vagina and cervix, blocking sperm from reaching its destination. Think of it as a primitive version of a cervical cap, albeit one no modern person would ever volunteer to use.

Honey Made It Better (Sort Of)

Egyptian physicians often combined crocodile dung with honey, and this wasn't just about masking the smell. Honey is a powerful antimicrobial agent that has been used for wound care for millennia. Mixed into a contraceptive pessary, honey would have helped prevent infections—a significant health benefit considering what they were inserting into their bodies.

The mixture was molded into a pessary shape, inserted before intercourse, and removed afterward. Some recipes also called for acacia gum, which contains lactic acid—a substance still used in modern spermicides.

Not the Only Option

Crocodile dung wasn't the only animal waste contraceptive in ancient times. Elephant dung was also used in some cultures for the same purpose, operating on similar principles. Other ancient Egyptian methods included:

• Acacia leaves mixed with honey and lint (the acacia produced lactic acid, an effective spermicide)
• Pessaries made from wool soaked in various herbal mixtures
• Dates, pomegranate, and fig paste applications

Surprisingly Sophisticated

While the idea of using animal feces as birth control sounds primitive, it reveals a remarkably sophisticated understanding of reproductive health for the time. Ancient Egyptians understood that something inserted into the vagina could prevent pregnancy—a concept that required both anatomical knowledge and experimentation.

The Kahun Papyrus is considered one of the oldest medical texts in existence, and its contraceptive prescriptions show that women actively sought to control their fertility thousands of years ago. This wasn't folk wisdom passed down through whispers; it was documented medical practice written by physicians.

The Legacy

Today, we have hormonal pills, IUDs, and barrier methods that don't involve scavenging reptile waste from riverbanks. But the principles discovered by ancient Egyptians—chemical spermicides and physical barriers—remain the foundation of modern contraception. The crocodile dung pessary was crude, unsanitary, and probably unpleasant, but it represented humanity's first documented steps toward reproductive autonomy.

So the next time you're grateful for modern medicine, remember: it could be worse. At least you're not at the Nile with a basket, looking for fresh crocodile droppings.