The terms birth control and family planning, although closely related, are different concepts. Birth control refers to the specific methods used to aid in the prevention of pregnancy, usually by deliberately interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. Family planning is a broader concept where one consciously makes informed decisions regarding when, how many, and often the spacing of children. Family planning often uses birth control as a tool in the decision process. As we have come learn there are many forms of birth control available on the market today. But this has not always been the case! Here are some of the key moments in history that have paved the way to where we are today when it comes to methods of contraception in Canada.
The Canadian Public Health Association talks about the history of contraception:
“In 1892, a federal law was passed into the Criminal Code making it illegal to sell or advertise birth control in Canada, even though many women at the time were risking their physical and mental health because of almost annual pregnancies:
“Everyone is guilty of an indictable offense and liable to two years imprisonment who knowingly, without lawful excuse of justification, offers to sell, advertises, publishes an advertisement of or has for sale or disposal of any medicine, drug or article intended or represented as a means of preventing conception.” (Section 179 of the 1892 Canadian Criminal Code)”
It was not until 1932 in Hamilton, Ontario that Elizabeth Bagshaw, one of Canada’s first female physicians, established Canada’s first birth control clinic, defying both the law and popular opinion. In 1935, birth control activist Alvin Ratz Kaufman founded Parents’ Information Bureau, where he created a platform to provide the public with birth control information and private nurses.
Societal acceptance of birth control did not receive traction for another thirty plus years. In 1969 the Canadian Medical Association stated:
“Family planning has beneficial effects on the health and well being of family groups; that many Canadians practice family planning in a manner consistent with their personal religious, moral and ethical standards; and that many families of the lower socio-economic group who would benefit most from such planning lack information or the means to obtain this information. It therefore is resolved that CPHA endorse, in accordance with the law, the development and provision of family planning programs for all those who need them.” (CPHA Resolution, 1969)
In 1969, Section 179 of the 1892 Canadian Criminal Code was removed, giving Canadians the legal right to both help protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and preventing unwanted pregnancies. It is quite amazing when we realize it has only been just over fifty years that it wasn’t illegal to buy condoms!
History of Common Birth Control Methods
The removal of the legal ramifications that were associated through the years regarding contraception allowed access to a wide variety of birth control methods, including condoms, birth control pills, and the IUD to name a few.
The Condom
The use of male or external condoms can be seen throughout history, from the Ancient Greek times where it was recorded that animal skin sheaths were used as a form of protection, to the Renaissance era where they were used to try to lower infections during the influx of the syphilis pandemic. It was not until the 19th century that we saw condoms resembling something close to what we use today, as it was at that time that rubber became the primary material in condom production. In the 20th century they evolved into the latex material that is most used today. The production of condoms has expanded significantly with many different types now available to meet everyone’s individual needs.
The Pill
The birth control pill was initially introduced as a concept in the early part of the 20th century. It was first introduced to alleviate side effects of menstrual disorders, not as a form of birth control. According to the Canadian Public health Association:
“By 1960, the birth control pill was available in Canada, although doctors could only prescribe it for therapeutic and not for birth control reasons. A year later, Harold Fine, a pharmacist, was charged, convicted and fined for selling condoms in his drug store. His conviction spurred Barbara and George Cadbury and a group of church leaders and prominent doctors to set up the first chapter of Planned Parenthood Association.”
Since the origin of the birth control pill, countless studies have been done, and many different iterations of the pill exist on the market, tailored specifically to be prescribed to those with individual health needs.
The IUD
Being one of the more controversial methods of contraception on this list, over the years the IUD has had the biggest struggles in building a confident reputation for itself. Before the IUD, similar devices caused a significant amount of pelvic inflammatory diseases. The IUD’s that are available today no longer cause issues and are a common option that individuals use as a form of contraception. With the amount of research and innovation that went into perfecting this device it paved way for the commonly used “T” shaped IUD.
Changing Social Values
As with all aspects surrounding sexual and reproductive health and wellness, there is always some resistance to new options for a variety of reasons. This is very evident in the legal aspects of contraception. The social changes that have occurred over the years enable people to have more open conversations around contraception; ones that allow individuals to be in control of how they want to stay healthy in all aspects of their being.