Fact check: 10 things that aren’t birth control and 17 things that are

Including 10 legitimate non-hormonal BC methods

Good news and bad news, folks. The bad news is that the following 10 groceries are NOT birth control:

  1. Papaya
  2. Neem
  3. Asafoetida
  4. Figs
  5. Ginger
  6. Smartweed
  7. Wild yam
  8. Pennyroyal
  9. Black cohosh
  10. Angelica

The good news is that these 17 things ARE proven methods of preventing pregnancy!

And if what you’re after is something that doesn’t have hormones in it, you’ve got these 10 legit options:

  1. Condoms
  2. Internal condoms
  3. The diaphragm
  4. The sponge
  5. The cervical cap
  6. Spermicide
  7. Fertility awareness
  8. Withdrawal
  9. Abstinence
  10. Sterilization

Written by Lauren Kernan, MA

Lauren Kernan is the Director of Content and UX Strategy for Bedsider and Abortion Finder. In her spare time, she can be found sewing or starting and giving up on various other crafts.