The literature suggests that contraception has been available from ancient times. The major texts of Ayurveda like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya describe natural methods of contraception. The ancient Indian epics like Garuda purana (1000 BC), Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad (700 BC), Atharva veda (1000–900 BCE), Ayurveda texts like Rasa ratna samuchhaya (1400 A.D.), Bhavaprakasha (1600 A.D.), Yogaratnakara (1600 A.D.), and Bhaishajya Ratnavali (1900 A.D.) describe additional contraceptive options in the form of oral and local contraceptives practiced at the respective times. | The literature suggests that contraception has been available from ancient times. The major texts of Ayurveda like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya describe natural methods of contraception. The ancient Indian epics like Garuda purana (1000 BC), Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad (700 BC), Atharva veda (1000–900 BCE), Ayurveda texts like Rasa ratna samuchhaya (1400 A.D.), Bhavaprakasha (1600 A.D.), Yogaratnakara (1600 A.D.), and Bhaishajya Ratnavali (1900 A.D.) describe additional contraceptive options in the form of oral and local contraceptives practiced at the respective times. |