Is Vinegar a contraceptive?
Vinegar does not work as a contraceptive.
But it “causes an imbalance in the natural bacterial balance in the vagina, which increases vaginal infections,” said Dr.
Yasser Joha, a gynaecologist in Damascus.
Many women wash or douche with soap and water after sex in an attempt to prevent pregnancy..
Can a girl push sperm out and not get pregnant?
A man must be able and willing to pull out the penis and ejaculate outside the woman’s body. If he does not withdraw before ejaculating, his partner may become pregnant. Also, a small amount of semen may be released into the vagina before the full ejaculation, possibly without the man realizing it.
Does masturbation reduce sperm count?
Frequent male masturbation isn’t likely to have much effect on your fertility. Some data shows that optimum semen quality occurs after two to three days of no ejaculation. But other research suggests that men who have normal sperm quality maintain normal sperm motility and concentrations even with daily ejaculation.
Can a drop of sperm make a woman pregnant?
Pregnancy is possible whenever semen is in or on the vagina. But getting pregnant by wiping is unlikely, especially if the semen is not fresh or only a small amount enters the vagina. However it happens, if fresh semen enters the vagina of a person who can conceive, pregnancy becomes a possibility.
Is Ginger good for pregnancy?
Should you have ginger during pregnancy? A little amount of ginger is good for health. It helps in controlling nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and also aids digestion. So, it is especially helpful during the first trimester, if a pregnant woman shows significant symptoms.
What should you drink in your first trimester?
What Should You Drink During Pregnancy?Water. Water is the single most important drink you should have throughout your pregnancy. … Orange Juice. Orange juice is good to drink while you’re pregnant, but you should only have it when it is pasteurized and fortified with calcium. … Tea. Certain herbal teas can be consumed during pregnancy. … Coffee.Aug 27, 2019
Can Lemon stop period?
No. Drinking a shot of lemon juice won’t delay your period or make it stop. Using a hormonal birth control method is the only way to lighten or control when you get your period: When taking a hormonal birth control method, like the pill, ring, and patch, you have the ability to skip your period.
Can you put lemon juice on your private area?
Lemon juice is recommended to acidify the vagina (it cannot). Yogurt is suggested because its bacteria could help repopulate the healthy, vaginal bacteria (commercial yogurts don’t have the right strains).
Can I drink lemon water while pregnant?
Lemon consumption can help relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and is generally a safe option. However, women planning to treat pregnancy effects with lemon should speak to their healthcare provider first. People can consume lemon in the forms of tea, water and lemon mixtures, and fresh lemon juice.
Did they use lemons as birth control?
Lemon juice and other acidic substances were tried long before modern spermicides landed in condoms. For extra protection, ancient people would rub a mixture of lemon juice and honey on a contraceptive sponge.
Is it healthy to eat sperm?
For the most part, yes, the components that make up semen are safe to ingest. Swallowed semen is digested in the same way as food. However, in very rare circumstances, some people might discover that they’re allergic to semen. This is also known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP).
What can kill sperm?
Spermicides are birth control medicine that kill sperm. There are many kinds of spermicides: cream, foam, jelly, suppository or film. How do I use it? Spermicide (in any form) is placed deep inside the vagina and works by killing sperm that touches it before the sperm can reach an egg.
What are the fruits to avoid during pregnancy?
Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy DietPapaya– It tops the list for obvious reasons. … Pineapple– These are also not recommended to the pregnant women as they contain certain enzymes that alters the texture of cervix which could induce premature contractions. … Grapes– Grapes aren’t recommended for consumption during the final trimester.
Can lemon juice flush out sperm?
Short says a solution of 10 per cent lemon juice produced a 1000-fold reduction in HIV activity in a lab sample. And half a teaspoon of the juice wiped out two teaspoons of sperm in 30 seconds. The high acidity of the juice is responsible for killing HIV and sperm.
How many inches does it take to get a girl pregnant?
When the average woman is unaroused, it’s 3 to 4 inches deep. For someone who has a high cervix, it’s 4 to 5 inches deep. For someone with a lower one, it’s less than 3 inches deep. Keep in mind that the vagina lengthens when aroused.
Is apple cider vinegar safe during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should only use unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with great caution and knowledge beforehand of the risks. Talk to your doctor before using unpasteurized vinegars while pregnant. Pregnant women may instead use pasteurized apple cider vinegar safely and with no concerns.
Is Honey Good during pregnancy?
Yes, it’s safe to eat honey during pregnancy. You may have heard that honey isn’t safe for babies and that’s true. Honey can contain bacteria which can germinate in a baby’s gut and cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness.
Does lemon affect early pregnancy?
In general, lemons — and other citrus fruits — can be safe and healthy to consume during pregnancy. In fact, lemons pack many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help support maternal health and baby’s development. There’s little research on the safety of lemons specifically during pregnancy.
What food can kill sperm?
Five foods to avoid that may decrease sperm health and male fertilityProcessed meats. This is not surprising—recent studies link processed meats to all sorts of illnesses. … Trans fats. … Soy products. … Pesticides and bisphenol a (BPA) … High fat dairy products.Dec 10, 2018
Can I get pregnant if he pulls out and puts it back in?
Yes. You can get pregnant from the pull-out method. The pull-out method, also called withdrawal — or coitus interruptus if you wanna get fancy — involves pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation.
Morning sickness, or feeling generally unwell, is one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. This feeling usually goes away by the beginning of the fourth month (second trimester). In few cases, however, this feeling lasts until the end of pregnancy. We have put together our best tips and tricks for you.
7 facts you never knew about babies
1. CONSUME SODIUM BICARBONAT
You can consume sodium carbonate in a number of ways. It helps to regulate stomach acid and thus relieve nausea. We recommend mixing a glass of water with a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and lemon juice and drinking it.
2. EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN
You have a sensitive stomach, so you should eat small portions several times a day to aid digestion. Avoid eating too little, however, as an empty stomach can make morning sickness worse.
3. BREAKFAST IN BED
Increased nausea occurs in the morning due to the empty stomach. Put some fruits and cookies on your bedside table and eat a little before you get up.
4. DRINK PLENTY – STAY HYDRATED
Avoid to drinking something after breakfast, it promotes nausea. Drink soothing Beverages to calm your stomach, like a herbal ginger tea.Make sure to drink enogh, sparkling water and cola can also provide relief. However, do not consume too much cola.
5. GINGER & LEMONS
Ginger roots and lemon are natural remedies. You should mix your water with flavors of both. Furthermore is it helpful to breath the lemon flavoer, so you can reduce the nausea feeling. Other natural remedies are grapefruits and oranges. You should avoid to drink coffee with milk, because it increase the nausea.
6. SKIP MAKING DINNER
Strong odors irritate your stomach, so take care to keep distance and ask your partner to prepare the dinner. If you prepare cold food, the smell is less strong as hot food.
7. COLD MEALS CAN BE BETTER THAN HOT ONES
You should maybe make a decision to eat more cold food like salads during the worst weeks. This time will be over before you know it.
8. TAKE A NAP!
Fatigue and lack of sleep can increase the feeling of nausea. So, take a nap! If you are working, try to go to bed early and avoid getting upset. Rest and take naps during the weekends. Waiting an hour to lye down after eating dinner is probably a good idea, so your stomach has managed to digest the food.
9. VITAMINE B6
Vitamin B6 is an good anti-nausea remedy. You can find it in fatty fish, such as tuna and salmon, broccoli, spinach, red cabbage, and bananas. Integrate them into your diet. You can also take multivitamins supplements that help reduce your feeling of nausea. You will find it in pharmacies.
10. EAT LIGHT
Avoid overly greasy, spicy and fried dishes like fries, chili con carne and cream. Choose lighter, milder tasting foods, that can naturally help your nausea. Like mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables and fruits. Take the time to eat slowly to be able to digest.
If your nausea is too painful, some medications (prescribed by your doctor) may reduce nausea and morning sickness. Then, homeopathy can reduce the effects of nausea and acupuncture sessions can also help you. But if the situation becomes too serious (significant weight loss and / or dehydration), you should never hesitate to contact your doctor.
Pucker up, mama-to-be. Because we know you want to find out the sweet (and maybe slightly sour) things about whether lemon is OK during pregnancy — and how it could work to your advantage if so.
Insane Birth Control Methods From History
You might have heard lemon water can boost hydration or that lemon may be an effective nausea remedy, but should you jump in with zest? Let’s squeeze the truth out of the science to help you determine if this citrus favorite is for you.
Are there any safety concerns?
In general, lemons — and other citrus fruits — can be safe and healthy to consume during pregnancy. In fact, lemons pack many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help support maternal health and baby’s development.
There’s little research on the safety of lemons specifically during pregnancy.
That said, having a lemon water or adding some lemon juice to your salad likely falls into the safe (and even beneficial) zone. But always talk to your OB-GYN or midwife about consuming large amounts of lemon, lemon-flavored additives, supplements, or other things that haven’t been heavily studied for safety among pregnant women.
But what about lemon essential oils? Are they safe? Although essential oils are on-trend, ingesting them always falls into the questionable category. But don’t pack them away quite yet — we’ll tell you how you may benefit from diffusing lemon essential oils in just a bit.
Potential benefits of lemons during pregnancy
1. Immunity boost and fetal development
There aren’t studies to show that lemons themselves boost immunity and benefit fetal development, but some of the top-ranking nutrientsTrusted Source in lemons do.
In fact, a half cup (106 grams) of lemon (without the peel) can deliver 56.2 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C — a critical nutrient for both mom and baby.
One 2012 animalTrusted Source study concluded that even a small deficiency in maternal vitamin C could hinder fetal brain development, specifically the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. Safe ranges of vitamin C (no megadoses!) may also boost immunity and help prevent common infections, such as cold and flu, but this remains unproven in the pregnant population.
That immunity boost may be due to significant levels of flavanones in lemons — eriocitrin and hesperetin, to be exact. This 2013 article notes that lemons have powerful abilities to fight infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as having antidiabetic and anticancer properties. They may also help eradicate free radicals in the body.
Another key nutrient in lemons is folate, a crucial one for pregnancy. This 2012 articleTrusted Source confirms folate’s ability to reduce the risk of fetal neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These serious defects affect the brain, spine, or spinal cord and can develop within the first month of pregnancy. In theory, consuming a little more lemon in the first several weeks of pregnancy may offer some added protection.
2. Reduction in nausea
If morning (or all-day) sickness has you down, we know you’re searching for anything safe to find relief. This may have led you to the daunting remedy aisle at the drugstore, where you’ve come across some lozenge, gummy, tea, lollipop, oil, or other tincture that contains lemon as a natural nausea “cure.”
Natural Ways To Prevent Pregnancy | Birth Control 101
But be wary of consuming lemon as your antidote — there’s little to no research to prove that consuming lemon effectively reduces nausea during pregnancy. But there is data to suggest that diffusing lemon essential oils can bring relief.
A randomized controlled clinical studyTrusted Source of pregnant women published in 2014 concluded that inhaling (not consuming) lemon essential oil was safe and effective in reducing pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
3. Hydration boost
Water is essential (especially during pregnancy) because it serves many important functions, such as:
giving shape and structure to cells
regulating body temperature
supporting digestion
absorbing and transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells
aiding the body’s chemical reactions
eliminating the body’s waste
forming mucus and other lubricating fluids
According to this 2002 articleTrusted Source on hydration needs during pregnancy, it’s calculated that — based on a 2,300-calorie diet — a pregnant woman needs up to 3,300 milliliters of water a day. That’s equivalent to just shy of 14 cups!
Sometimes, drinking that much water gets, well, plain boring. So putting some lemon to your water can be a healthy way to change things up while also adding some gusto to your H2O.
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Possible reasons to stay clear of (too many) lemons during pregnancy
There are a few cautions to peel away from that lemon. It might be beneficial in small doses, but lemons contain a lot of citric acid that could carry a warning.
Interestingly, freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice has more citric acid compared to orange and grapefruit juice in this 2008 quantitative assessmentTrusted Source. And prepared lemonades had up to 6 times the amount of citric acid than lemon and lime juice.
So, what could this lead to?
Tooth erosion
In larger or more frequent quantities, citric acid found in lemons can cause the pH of your mouth to drop to an acidic range.
If you drink highly acidic beverages or foods frequently and over a long period of time — like throughout your entire pregnancy — the acidic environment can cause erosion of the minerals that strengthen the enamel of your teeth.
This can lead to weaker, more sensitive teeth that have you jumping through the roof when you bite into an ice cream cone or getting a bad cavity report at your next trip to the dentist.
One 2015 studyTrusted Source found that lemon juice was more erosive to teeth than the common cola. Given that you’re already at higher risk for certain teeth and gum issues while pregnant, you may want to take note.
Heartburn
The high acid levels created by citric acid may also increase your risk for experiencing acid reflux (or heartburn), which is already fairly common during pregnancy. Drinking highly concentrated lemon-based beverages like lemonade may induce heartburn more than just a splash of lemon in your water.
But mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 8 ounces of water may have protective effects against heartburn. While not proven, it’s thought that the mixture actually helps to alkalize the stomach acid and therefore, reduce the burn.
The best advice? Listen to your body and talk to your OB-GYN or midwife about how much lemon is good for you based on your current health and medical history.
WERBUNG
MY NATURAL, EFFECTIVE BIRTH CONTROL METHOD (TMI) | HOW TO PREVENT PREGNANCY NATURALLY
Pregnancy-friendly lemon recipes
If you’re looking to add a little more lemon in your life, consider these pregnancy-friendly and delicious recipes.
Lemon yogurt parfait
1 cup Greek yogurt
juice from 1 lemon wedge
1/4 cup low-sugar granola
1 tsp. honey
Directions
Add lemon juice to yogurt and mix well. Sprinkle it with granola and add a honey drizzle. Then, indulge!
Lemon- and basil-infused water
2 quarts water
2 thin lemon slices (with seeds removed)
2 basil leaves
Directions
Add lemon slices and basil leaves to water. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours before enjoying this thirst-quenching treat.
Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
4 cups arugula
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 cup freshly shaved parmesan cheese
ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Wash arugula and set aside to air dry. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and sea salt and refrigerate. Mix and toss it together with arugula when ready to serve. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, a touch of pepper, and as the Italians say — buon appetito!
The takeaway
There’s limited scientific proof showing that consuming lemon has specific benefits during pregnancy, but small quantities of fresh lemon juice may offer a vitamin, nutrition, and hydration boost with some protective health benefits.
Here’s some more great news: There’s no need to be shy about diffusing lemon essential oil to find relief during a case of queasiness. According to research, it just might work.
You should, however, be cautious about consuming too much lemon and lemon-containing products, foods, and beverages because the acid content could damage your teeth or exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn.
As always, discuss your diet and concerns about lemon with your midwife or doctor, who can help you safely navigate the sometimes confusing waters of food choices during pregnancy.
This is an old article. Lemon juice is not recommended by any medical authority that we are aware of. See the whole of our coverage of these fields: birth control and HIV and AIDS.
Drinking LEMON Water During PREGNANCY CAN Relieve MORNING SICKNESS and NAUSEA~!
Laboratory tests show that lemon juice is a potent destroyer of both HIV and sperm, Australian researchers say.
If planned tests in primates and people are successful, lemon juice could be ideal for women without easy access to safe barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, says the team at Melbourne University, led by Roger Short.
But experts in anti-AIDS medications warn that the safety of using the juice internally and its efficacy in people are as yet unknown.
Short says a solution of 10 per cent lemon juice produced a 1000-fold reduction in HIV activity in a lab sample. And half a teaspoon of the juice wiped out two teaspoons of sperm in 30 seconds. The high acidity of the juice is responsible for killing HIV and sperm.
The great advantage of lemon or lime juice as an anti-viral contraceptive is that the fruit can be grown very cheaply in the developing world, says Short. Women might use the juice by inserting a soaked piece of sponge or cotton wool before intercourse, he says. Women researchers in Short’s lab said using the juice caused no pain.
WERBUNG
Centuries old
This method of contraception was widespread in the Mediterranean before the advent of modern methods, such as the Pill. “I’m a great believer in history. People would not have used it for 300 or 400 years if it did not work,” Short told ABC-TV.
Julian Meldrum of the London-based National AIDS Manual says: “The basic principle that acids such as lemon juice can inactivate both sperm and HIV has been known for some years.” But although lemon juice was used historically as a contraceptive, “it is unknown how much damage this did both directly to the vagina and the interior of the cervix and uterus, and indirectly, through effects on microbes in the vagina.”
Short agrees that more work is needed: “We now need more time to see if women really could rely on lemon juice to protect themselves against pregnancy and HIV in the human body without any side effects,” he says.
The team is now planning experiments involving macaque monkeys in Indonesia.
WOW! How to Prevent Pregnancy At Home
Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2910-australian-researchers-say-lemon-juice-destroys-sperm/#ixzz7GtpCXLmn
In the 1700s women used lemons as birth control, the ancient Egyptians used crocodile dung as a sperm-killing suppository, and on top of that, early versions of the condom were reusable... Let’s take a step back through time and look at the weird and wacky wonders of non-hormonal birth control methods and where we’ve ended up in the 21st century.
MAR 6, 2019
3 MIN READ
Cut in half lemons
Feeling fruity? Using lemons as birth control
Women in the past used sponges soaked in lemon juice to prevent pregnancy. The citric acid in lemons acts as a natural spermicide. The lemon rind itself (with pulp and juice removed) could also be inserted into the vagina and used as a cervical cap. Sounds zingy… Today we reckon lemons are better used to make a gin and tonic.
Lemons aren’t the only citrus fruit with a link to birth control. There are concerns about the effects of eating grapefruit on the birth control pill. We want to put this urban myth to bed once and for all. While the enzymes in the grapefruit prevent the breakdown of estrogen this has not been shown to impact the effectiveness of the pill. However, a surge in estrogen can lead to other side-effects on health, so if you’re on the pill and eat a large quantity of grapefruit, speak to a healthcare professional.
Birth control pessaries made out of poo
The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians would mold crocodile dung into a block that was inserted into the vagina, acting as a birth control pessary. Crocodile feces wasn’t the only excrement used as contraception. Ancient people in the Middle East used elephant poo in the same way.
It’s unclear quite how effective these methods were (we’re willing to bet not very), but going to bed with a handful of animal dung sounds both unhygienic and impractical. How many people have a pet crocodile?
Sharing isn’t always caring: using ancient condoms
Condoms in the 21st century are discreet, sleek and strictly for one-time use. Sadly this hasn’t always been the case. Until the process of vulcanizing rubber was invented by Charles Goodyear in 1839, the story of prophylactics was very different. Ancient condoms were made from a variety of materials including animal intestines (gross) and linen sheaths tied on with a ribbon (delightful).
The need for condoms was in part due to the spread of STIs – still a real risk today. A common and unpleasant infection of the 18th and 19th centuries was syphilis which had nasty symptoms, including all-over-body blisters and skin shedding. The discovery that using the protective sheaths prevented contraction of the disease must have played a huge part in the popularity of condoms, not only as birth control, but as protection against infection too. Manufactured latex wasn’t invented until 1920 – meaning that the condom we recognize today has only really been in circulation for the past 100 years.
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Fertility awareness-based birth control methods
One of the oldest methods of birth control is periodic abstinence, avoiding sex at certain times of the month. Calendar or rhythm methods involve counting the days of the cycle and working out that the most fertile time is around 2 weeks before your period arrives. Women can then avoid having sex or use protection during this time. This is based on the assumption that ovulation (the egg being released) happens about halfway through the cycle. Sadly, it can be unreliable as a method of birth control as it is hard to work out exactly when the most fertile days are. The oldest recording of ‘a period of abstinence’ was astonishingly in the year 388!
Fertility awareness-based methods involve tracking fertility and working out the fertile window in the menstrual cycle, and abstaining from sex when there is a risk of pregnancy. As women are only fertile for 6 days of their cycle (the ovulation day and the 5 days prior due to sperm survival). Ovulation can be identified by several signs, such as a spike in body temperature, an increase of hormones, and changes to cervical mucus secretions. Charting these gives a good indication of where a woman is in her cycle – smart!
These methods are commonly used by couples trying to conceive, but the same science can be used in reverse to prevent pregnancy. Fertility awareness methods require consistent and diligent use, but with dedication, women following such methods can learn about their unique cycle while preventing pregnancy. It all comes down to finding that fleeting fertile window…
How to Prevent Pregnancy After Intercourse Without Pills
Modern non-hormonal birth control methods
We’re glad some of these non-hormonal birth control methods have stood the test of time, while other methods are better left to be read about in the pages of history books.
A happy evolution of the digital age is the birth control app. Natural Cycles is the first and only birth control app available in the US and Europe. It’s different to traditional fertility awareness methods as the intelligent app harnesses advanced statistics to calculate a fertility prediction for you. Natural Cycles learns your unique cycle and assigns green or red days to show where you are in your cycle and whether you can or cannot get pregnant.
Yes it’s possible but not a good birth control method. It’s best to use condoms or hormonal birth control methods.
Women in the past used sponges soaked in lemon juice to prevent pregnancy. The citric acid in lemons acts as a natural spermicide. The lemon rind itself (with pulp and juice removed) could also be inserted into the vagina and used as a cervical cap.
Researchers also say a solution of 10 per cent lemon juice produced a 1000-fold reduction in HIV activity in a lab sample. And half a teaspoon of the juice wiped out two teaspoons of sperm in 30 seconds. The high acidity of the juice is responsible for killing HIV and sperm.
and intravaginal lemon and lime juice douches are used by women in Nigeria to protect themselves from pregnancy and supposedly from sexually transmitted infections. They advocated that lemon juice is not only an effective form of contraception, but also had an effect on the HIV virus.
so yes it has worked but you won’t know if it will work for you until you try and it can also be painful. Imagine lemon being sprayed on a burn or fresh wound. Your inner walls in your vagina can be hurt.
NO, it is not to be used in modern times.
Oh, how my heart sinks every time I read a question like yours.
What kind of sex education has your extremely poor school system given you?
It takes ONLY ONE of the sperms, of the millions that is ejaculated or spilled before sex by a man to make a baby.
ONE.
They can live for hours in your clothing and then enter and make a baby.
No naked man must ever get close to you, unless one of you uses proper birth control. (A condom for a man.)
Please run, don’t walk to the nearest clinic to learn about and get proper birth control started.
There are some records which says lemon been used to avoid pregnancy as it has a property to kill sperms.The females used to insert cotton dipped in lemon juice right inside the vagina.But this is 2021 and when you have better options with more efficiency it would be better to choose one among them.
Can lime be used to prevent pregnancy?
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of lime juice on histomorphological alterations of the ovaries and uterus of cyclic Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods: Ten adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. They were divided into 2 groups with 5 rats in each. The animals in group 1 received 1ml of undiluted lime juice on morning of proestrus and those in group 2 received distilled water only on the day of proestrus. Results: The number of ova shed in the treated rats was reduced when compared with the control group. The histological sections of the treated ovaries showed a smaller dimension with fewer ova when compared with the control. The ovarian follicles are not also seen at different stages of maturation and the mature follicles are essentially absent at the periphery and no prominent ova when compared with the control sections. The treated Effect of Lime Juice (Citrus Aurantifolia) on Histomorphological Alterations of the Ovaries and Uterus of Cyclic Sprague-Dawley Rats 608 uterine sections showed large luminal content and the uterine endometrium was lined with tall columnar cells, glandular and stroma hyperplasia. The control showed pseudo-stratified endometrial lining with several round glands and focal hyperplasia. Conclusion: Lime juice reduces the number of ova shed and also causes irregularity in the histology of the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) and may possibly compromise fertility.
... The animals in Group 1 received 1 ml/kg body weight of undiluted lime juice; Group 2 received 1.5ml/kg body weight of undiluted lime juice, Group 3 received 2.23 ml/kg body weight of undiluted lime juice, Group 4 received 0.5 ml of distilled water only. Administration was done by gavages oro-gastrically daily using metal canula at 0900 hours for period of ten days respectively (15). Maintenance ...
... All the rats in group 1 (which received 1ml/kg weight of aqueous lime juice) Fig. 2, showed a smaller dimension in their histological sections; the ovarian follicles were not seen at different stages of maturation and the mature (secondary) follicles were essentially absent at the periphery and also no prominent ova when compared with the rats in control group (Fig. 1). Lime juice has been described as a natural spermicide; a contraceptive substance that reduces sperm concentration to prevent pregnancy [14], lime juice also alters oestrus cycle by significantly prolonging the diestrus and oestrus phases, thus exert an anti-fertility effect [15]. Its action as natural spermicide is mainly due to high acids, this is also reflected in the degeneration of the follicular cells observed in the cortex of the ovary of the treated rats as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The undiluted lime juice of Citrus aurantifolia caused irregular changes in the phases of the estrous cycles and blocked ovulation partially as observed by Bakare et al. [15] suggesting a similar mechanism of blocking the rise in luteinizing hormone during early proestrus. ...
... Lime juice has been described as a natural spermicide; a contraceptive substance that reduces sperm concentration to prevent pregnancy [14], lime juice also alters oestrus cycle by significantly prolonging the diestrus and oestrus phases, thus exert an anti-fertility effect [15]. Its action as natural spermicide is mainly due to high acids, this is also reflected in the degeneration of the follicular cells observed in the cortex of the ovary of the treated rats as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The undiluted lime juice of Citrus aurantifolia caused irregular changes in the phases of the estrous cycles and blocked ovulation partially as observed by Bakare et al. [15] suggesting a similar mechanism of blocking the rise in luteinizing hormone during early proestrus. This is also in agreement with the work of Noronha et al, who worked on anti-inflammatory property of lime [16] whereas; ovulation has been likened to an inflammatory process and is therefore blocked by anti-inflammatory agents [17]. ...
What is the best thing to stop pregnancy?
Some Methods Work Better Than Others
Some birth control methods work better than others. The chart on the following page compares how well different birth control methods work.
Is There A Safe Way To Abort An Early Pregnancy?
The most effective way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence . However, within the first year of committing to abstinence, many couples become pregnant because they have sex anyway but don't use protection. So it's a good idea even for people who don't plan to have sex to be informed about birth control.
Couples who do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy. For example, the birth control pill can be effective in preventing pregnancy. But if a girl forgets to take her pills, this isn't an effective method for her. Condoms can be an effective form of birth control, too. But if a guy forgets to use a condom or doesn't use it correctly, it's not an effective way for him to prevent pregnancy.
For every 100 couples using each type of birth control, the chart shows how many of these couples will get pregnant within a year. The information shown is for all couples, not just teenage couples. Some birth control methods may be less effective for teen users. For example, teenage girls who use fertility awareness (also called the rhythm method) may have an even greater chance of getting pregnant than adult women because their bodies have not yet settled into a regular menstrual cycle.
We list the effectiveness of different birth control methods based on their typical use rates. Typical use refers to how the average person uses that method of birth control (compared with "perfect" use, which means no mistakes are made in using that method).
A birth control method that is rated:
completely effective means that no couples will become pregnant while using that method
very effective means that between 1 and 2 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method
effective means that 2 to 12 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method
moderately effective means that 13 to 20 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method
less effective means that 21 to 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method
not effective means that more than 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method
In addition to preventing pregnancy, abstinence and condoms provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, most other birth control methods do not provide much protection against STDs, so condoms should also be used.
Birth Control Methods: Comparison Chart
Method of Birth Control How Many Couples Using This Method Will Get Pregnant in a Year? How Well Does This Method Work in Preventing Pregnancy? Can This Method Also Protect Against STDs?
Abstinence None Completely effective Yes
Birth Control Implant Fewer than 1 out of 100 Very effective No
IUD Fewer than 1 out of 100 Very effective No
Birth Control Patch ("The Patch") 9 out of 100 Effective No
Birth Control Pill ("The Pill") 9 out of 100 Effective No
Birth Control Ring ("The Ring") 9 out of 100 Effective No
Birth Control Shot 6 out of 100 Effective No
Emergency Contraception
(Morning After Pill) up to 11 out of 100 (if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex) Effective No
Male Condom 18 out of 100 Moderately effective Yes
Diaphragm 12 out of 100 Moderately effective No
Female Condom 21 out of 100 Less effective Yes
Fertility Awareness 24 out of 100 Less effective No
Spermicide 29 out of 100 Less effective No
Withdrawal ("Pulling Out") 27 out of 100 Less effective No
Sex Without Birth Control 85 out of 100 Not effective No
Choosing a birth control method based on how well it works is important, but there are other things to keep in mind when choosing a form of birth control. These include:
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how easy the birth control method is to use
how much it costs
whether a person has a health condition or takes medicine that will affect how well a particular birth control method works
How does lemon affect early pregnancy?
In moderation, lemon is good for pregnancy effects such as nausea. Lemon consumption has several benefits for pregnant women, but there are also some risks to be aware of.
During pregnancy, many women experience effects such as nausea. With concerns about the risks of taking medication, some women prefer to use herbal or natural remedies instead.
People commonly use lemon to help soothe nausea, but the citrus fruit may also have other benefits. Consuming too much fresh lemon may pose some risks, however.
This article explores the benefits and risks of consuming lemon during pregnancy.
Benefits
Lemon may help relieve nausea during pregnancy.
Lemon has numerous qualities that make it good for pregnancy effects. The sections below discuss these in more detail.
Nausea
Many pregnant women turn to herbal remedies for controlling nausea, as concerns regarding the safety of medications is increasing.
Lemon essential oil is a popular herbal remedy for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and tends to be safe. People should not ingest essential oils, however. They should inhale them during aromatherapy.
Taking lemon or lemon juice orally can help. Some studies have shown that lemon is more effective than a placebo for relieving nausea and vomiting during pregnancy when a woman takes it orally.
There are some reports of side effects with lemon and other herbal medicines, such as ginger, black seed, prune, and mustard oil. However, there are no known complications from using lemon during pregnancy.
A studyTrusted Source from 2014 reports that lemon inhalation therapy could help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The researchers recruited 100 pregnant women, at 6–16 weeks gestation, with mild-to-moderate nausea with or without vomiting.
The women inhaled either lemon essential oil or a placebo. The researchers instructed the participants to inhale lemon oil at the onset of nausea. The investigators noted nausea, vomiting, and retch intensity in the 24 hours before inhalation and during the 4 days after aromatherapy.
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They noted statistically significant differences in the effectiveness of lemon essential oil compared with a placebo on the second and fourth days following treatment. They conclude that lemon scent can be effective in controlling nausea and vomiting throughout pregnancy.
However, there are several limitations of this study. These include the possibility of the lemon scent being unpleasant for some women and the fact that the researchers could not control for the possible psychological effects that cause nausea during pregnancy.
Hydration
Doctors typically recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women increase their daily intake by 300 calories during the second trimester. Doctors also recommend an extra 300 milliliters of fluidTrusted Source, or just over a cup, per day.
If a person likes the flavor of lemon drinks, it can provide motivation to drink more and stay hydrated.
Folate
Lemon contains folate. One average sized lemon is low in calories and contains around 6.38 micrograms (mcg)Trusted Source of folate. During pregnancy, women require more folate because it is an essential nutrient for neural development in the growing fetus.
The Food and Nutrition BoardTrusted Source recommend that pregnant women obtain 600 mcg of folate from food and supplements. Most women in the United States need to take this as a supplement during pregnancy.
Women should not rely solely on lemons for folate, since its content is not high enough, and most may not enjoy eating raw lemons. Some other sources of folate include:
spinach
breakfast cereals
avocado
wheat germ
white bread
Since January 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have required the manufacturers of enriched bread, flour, cereals, pasta, rice, and other grains to fortify their products with 140 mcg of folate.
Alongside other foods rich in folate, lemon can help pregnant women meet their daily folate requirements.
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Risks
Although lemon consumption is generally safe during pregnancy, there are some risks linked with excessive consumption. The sections below outline these in more detail.
Tooth erosion
Those who consume a lot of citrus fruits are at risk of damaging their teethTrusted Source. In addition, pregnancy can make women more proneTrusted Source to dental problems, such as periodontal disease and cavities.
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In one case studyTrusted Source, dentists reported severe erosion of the enamel in a 30-year-old woman. She reported drinking lemon juice and water several times per day, usually following meals.
Dentists suggest that the loss of dentin may occur as a result of chemical trauma from the high citric acid, alterations in the acidity of saliva, and excessive use of whitening agents.
Of the most popular citrus fruits, lemon and lime juice have more citric acidTrusted Source than grapefruit and orange juice. Although these juices provide plenty of healthful nutrients, pregnant women should consume them in moderation to protect their teeth.
Sugar content in lemonade
Some people may not enjoy fresh lemon juice and instead prefer lemonade. Lemonade contains sugar to improve its flavor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people keep their intake of sugar to less than 10% of their total daily calories.
To promote a healthy pregnancy, doctors recommend a healthful diet and lifestyle. The United States Department of Agriculture have a website to help pregnant women learn how to make healthful food choices.
Heartburn
Some pregnant women may experience frequent heartburn. Doctors suggest several methods for reducing this effect during pregnancy. These may include:
eating smaller and more frequent meals
not lying down right after eating
avoiding foods that aggravate heartburn symptoms
Lemons contain high levels of citric acid, which may exacerbate heartburn symptoms in some pregnant women. Each person may notice that different foods can trigger heartburn. These foods may or may not contain higher levels of acid.
People should not automatically assume that highly acidic foods will worsen their symptoms. Instead, doctors recommend that people take note of which foods aggravate their symptoms and avoid them to prevent discomfort.
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Different forms
People can consume lemon in many different ways.
Although some people eat raw lemons or add them to drinks, others may mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and drink it warm. Some people drink fresh lemon juice. Lemonade also contains lemons but may also contain a high amount of sugar.
Some people have also used lemon essential oil for inhalation in aromatherapy.
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Summary
Lemon consumption can help relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and is generally a safe option. However, women planning to treat pregnancy effects with lemon should speak to their healthcare provider first.
People can consume lemon in the forms of tea, water and lemon mixtures, and fresh lemon juice. Not everyone enjoys the highly acidic taste of lemonade, so they may add sugar and calories to improve its taste.
It is important to consider which is the more healthful option to add to a pregnancy diet.
Although lemons are safe to consume during pregnancy, excessive consumption may come with some risks. For example, the high acidity can damage the teeth and aggravate heartburn. Pregnant women should therefore consume lemons in moderation.
The study of spermicidal effects of lemon juice and juices from other natural products consisting of pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice, was carried out to develop methods of contraception using natural products. Semen was donated by 20 men from infertile couples who came to an infertility clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand from 1 November 2007 to 31 March 2010. Spermicidal effects were measured by observing changes in sperm viability, morphology and motility after the semen was mixed with lemon juice and the juices from the other natural products (pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice). Changes in sperm characteristics were compared with pure semen left at room temperature. After the semen was mixed with lemon juice, sperm were instantaneously immobilized and irreversibly deformed. A reduced spermicidal effect was observed when the semen was mixed with the other juices. A second, profound spermicidal effect was observed when semen was mixed with pineapple juice. The least effects were observed when the semen was mixed with aloe vera juice. This information can be used for the further development of natural barrier methods of contraception.
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Keywords
Lemon juiceNatural productsSpermicide
Introduction
The use of available household or commercial products as spermicidal agents for contraception has long been investigated. Umpierre et al. (1985) found that Coca-Cola had a spermicidal effect. However, the study of Hong et al. (1987) provided quantitative evidence that Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola have little, if any, spermicidal effect and thus their application as a postcoital douching is a practice lacking scientific foundation. Lemon juice solutions have been shown to immobilize sperm in the laboratory (Short et al., 2004), as has Krest Bitter Lemon drink (Nwoha, 1992). While the author of the Krest Bitter Lemon study suggested its use as a postcoital douche, this is unlikely to be effective, as sperm begin leaving the ejaculate (out of the reach of any douche) within 1.5 min of deposition. No published studies appear to have been done on the effectiveness of lemon juice preparations in preventing pregnancy, though they are advocated by some as ‘natural’ spermicide.
Short et al. (2004) from the University of Melbourne reported that lemon juice is not only an effective form of contraception, but also had effect on the HIV virus. The study of Sagay et al. (2009) on genital tract abnormalities among female sex workers who had douched with lemon/lime juice in Nigeria found that the practice of douching with citrus juice may be a risk factor for cervical dysplasia. They suggested that further studies to explore the association between douching with lime juice and cervical dysplasia are warranted in communities where this practice is common. Besides using lemon juice as a spermicidal agent, other natural products from plants have been studied to evaluate their effects on sperm (Farnsworth and Wall, 1982).
The current study investigated the spermicidal effects of lemon juice (Citrus limon) and juices of other natural products available—juice from pineapple (Ananas comosus), apple (Malus estica), and aloe vera (Aloe vera). Changes in sperm characteristics were compared with changes in control semen which was left at room temperature without mixing with any juices. The effects of the juices could lead to applicable information for the development of natural techniques of contraception.
Materials and methods
This research was approved by the Ethical Clearance Committee on Human Rights Related to Researches Involving Human Subjects, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University (MURA 2007/194) issued on 14 June 2007.
Semen samples were obtained from 20 volunteers who came to the Infertility Clinic, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand from 1 November 2007 to 31 March 2010. The semen samples were collected in the Reproductive Biology Laboratory of Ramathibodi Hospital and then were allowed to liquefy for at least 20 min at 37 °C in an incubator and were analyzed within 60 min. One milliliter of semen was mixed with 1 mL of each natural product (1:1 by volume) consisting of pure and diluted lemon juice, pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice. Changes in the characteristics of sperm were observed and compared with control semen which was left at room temperature without mixing with any of the solutions. Sperm concentration, viability, morphology and motility were evaluated using standard techniques (Schrader et al., 1992, World Health Organization (WHO), 1999). Sperm morphology was scored using the Tygerberg Kruger strict criteria (Kruger et al., 1987). Volunteers were aged 25–55 yr with no history of medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertaion, hyper or hypothyroid or any autoimmune diseases and no history of chemotherapy or radiation. They had not been vasectomized and were not heavy smokers or heavy alcohol drinkers.
All 20 semen samples were processed and analyzed by researchers at the laboratory. A routine semen analysis was performed which included the following parameters: semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm viability, sperm morphology and sperm motility.
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Sperm concentration
Measurement of sperm concentration was carried out under a microscope (40×) after the semen had been dropped into a Neubauer Hemocytometer. Scanning the slide and estimating the numbers of spermatozoa (both viable and non-viable) per field or part of a field equivalent to 1 mL gave an approximate sperm concentration in millions per milliliter.
Sperm viability
The viability of sperm was determined using eosin staining and examination under a microscope (100×). Two hundred spermatozoa were counted with a light or phase contrast microscope before differentiating the live (unstained) spermatozoa from the dead (stained) cells.
Sperm morphology
Morphological measurements of the sperm were undertaken by examining the sperm under a microscope (100×) after staining with methyl alcohol, eosin, and methylene blue. The percentage of normal morphological sperm was recorded. As each slide was examined systematically from one field of the microscope to the next, all normal spermatozoa were assessed and scored and the defects of the abnormal spermatozoa were noted. For normal morphology characteristics of sperm, the sperm must be vigorously motile and the sperm head must be a symmetrical, oval shape of the appropriate size (World Health Organization, 1999).
Sperm motility
Sperm motility was observed and classified. At least five fields of the microscope were assessed in a systematic way to classify 200 spermatozoa. The motility of each spermatozoon was graded a, b, c or d, according to whether it showed the following characteristics: a indicated rapid progressive motility (at least 25 μm/s at 37 °C and at least 20 μm/s at 20 °C); b indicated slow or sluggish progressive motility; c indicated non-progressive motility (less than 5 μm/s); and d indicated immotility.
Within a defined area of the fields indicated by lines A and B formed by a graticule in the focal plane of the microscope, all spermatozoa with grade a and b motility were counted first. Subsequently, the spermatozoa with non progressive motility (grade c) and immotile spermatozoa (grade d) were counted in the same areas. The numbers of spermatozoa in each category were tallied with the aid of a laboratory counter. The count of 200 spermatozoa was repeated on a separate 1 mL specimen from the same semen sample and the percentages in each motility grade from the two independent counts were compared and averaged. Sperm motility was also scored for statistical analysis. Levels a, b, c and d were allocated score of 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively.
Preparation of juices of natural products
1)
The lemons bought from a supermarket were cleaned and washed with soap and tap water. Then, each lemon was divided in half before squeezing to obtain the juice which was filtered through a clean cloth. About 2 mL of juice was obtained from one lemon. Diluted lemon juice was prepared by adding 1 mL of sterile water into 1 mL of fresh lemon juice (1:1 dilution). Only 1 mL of diluted lemon juice was mixed with semen.
2)
The natural products consisting of apple, pineapple, and aloe vera were bought from a supermarket. All the fruits were washed and cleaned with soap and tap water. The skins of the fruits were peeled before dividing each fruit into small pieces of 2–3 mm3, which were then ground using a grinding machine and squeezed to obtain the juice. The juices were then filtered through a clean cloth to eliminate the sediments.
Each type of the juice was prepared fresh just before mixing with semen. Data analysis was done using the SPSS Statistics 18.0 Mahidol package (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA). Comparison of qualities of sperm within and between groups was undertaken using the General Linear Model (GLM) for repeated measurement.
Results
Sperm concentration
In the control semen, the mean number of sperm concentration was stable over time at 55–64 × 106 per mm3. After the semen was mixed with pure lemon juice, the mean concentration of sperm decreased instantaneously to zero and remained so. When semen was mixed with the other kinds of juice, the mean concentration of sperm decreased gradually and significantly (p < 0.001) when compared with the control. Among the other juices, the pineapple juice had the lowest mean concentration of spermatozoa (Table 1). When the mean concentrations of sperms were compared between each mixture of sperm and juice from the natural products, there were statistically significantly differences between each type of mixture except between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and semen mixed with aloe vera juice (both not significant) as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean concentration of sperm in control semen and semen mixed with lemon juice, diluted lemon juice, pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice over time.
Time (min) Control(1) Lemon(2) Diluted lemon(3) Pineapple(4) Apple(5) Aloe vera(6)
(×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3)
0 69.65 ± 16.40 0.00 ± 0.00 28.08 ± 8.93 5.85 ± 3.23 18.00 ± 10.48 30.05 ± 15.74
5 63.45 ± 18.14 0.00 ± 0.00 24.17 ± 6.78 4.05 ± 2.67 13.15 ± 8.36 25.65 ± 15.80
10 57.85 ± 16.21 0.00 ± 0.00 20.92 ± 5.69 2.95 ± 2.21 13.05 ± 9.78 21.85 ± 14.30
20 54.15 ± 16.40 0.00 ± 0.00 17.42 ± 3.80 1.75 ± 1.48 11.50 ± 10.09 18.55 ± 12.59
30 50.65 ± 18.45 0.00 ± 0.00 12.67 ± 3.82 1.10 ± 0.91 9.80 ± 6.58 13.65 ± 13.07
60 46.40 ± 17.56 0.00 ± 0.00 7.33 ± 2.74 0.60 ± 0.50 6.50 ± 5.15 9.40 ± 12.60
Note: Test of statistically significant difference within and between groups by GLM (General Linear Model) for repeated measurement. All differences were significant (p < 0.001) for control semen with semen mixed with each kind of juice and between semen–juice mixture (1)–(6), except between semen mixed with apple juice and with aloe vera juice (5) versus (6), (p < 0.05) and between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with aloe vera juice (3) versus (6), with the latter being not significant.
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Sperm viability
The viability of sperm in the control semen left at room temperature gradually decreased over time. Mean numbers of viable sperm were significantly different (p < 0.001) between the control semen and the semen mixed with each kind of juice. The viability of the sperm after mixing with lemon juice decreased immediately to zero and remained the same over time. The pure lemon juice killed the sperm instantaneously but the diluted lemon juice (1:1 by volume) did not. The mean number of viable sperm was less when the semen was mixed with pineapple juice than when mixed with diluted lemon juice, apple juice or aloe vera juice. When the semen was mixed with diluted lemon juice, apple juice or the aloe vera juice, the same pattern of change was observed with higher mean numbers of viable sperm. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the semen mixed with each type of juices, except for the semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with apple juice and between the semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with aloe vera juice (Table 2).
Table 2. Mean number of viable sperm in control semen and semen mixed with lemon juice, diluted lemon juice, pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice over time.
Time (min) Control(1) Lemon(2) Diluted lemon(3) Pineapple(4) Apple(5) Aloe vera(6)
(×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3) (×106/mm3)
0 71.25 ± 21.27 0.00 ± 0.00 29.50 ± 3.50 6.35 ± 3.96 20.10 ± 7.20 23.30 ± 15.69
5 65.45 ± 20.51 0.00 ± 0.00 22.25 ± 4.84 4.55 ± 2.70 17.95 ± 7.72 20.35 ± 12.51
10 61.95 ± 20.31 0.00 ± 0.00 18.85 ± 3.23 3.00 ± 2.32 14.95 ± 5.46 16.35 ± 9.82
20 58.70 ± 22.64 0.00 ± 0.00 16.75 ± 4.00 2.10 ± 1.62 12.40 ± 5.36 13.25 ± 6.69
30 54.75 ± 21.87 0.00 ± 0.00 12.67 ± 2.10 0.85 ± 0.67 9.15 ± 8.09 13.70 ± 9.50
60 51.00 ± 17.00 0.00 ± 0.00 7.83 ± 2.08 0.50 ± 0.51 6.25 ± 5.50 9.50 ± 4.93
Note: Test of statistically significant differences within and between groups by GLM (General Linear Model) for repeated measurement. All differences were significant (p < 0.001) for control semen with semen mixed with each kind of juice and between semen–juice mixture, except between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with apple juice, (3) versus (5) and between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with aloe vera juice, (3) versus (6), which were both not significant.
Sperm morphology
In the control semen, the mean percentage of sperm with normal morphology was 5.00 ± 0.80 percent and it decreased steadily over time. There were significant (p < 0.001) differences in the mean percentage of sperm with normal morphology between the control semen and semen mixed with the juices of natural products (Table 3). No sperm with normal morphology were observed immediately after semen was mixed with the pure lemon juice. There were significant (p < 0.001) differences in the mean percentage of normal morphology sperm for the semen mixed with lemon juice compared with semen mixed with other kinds of juice. The percentage of normal morphology sperm in the mixture of semen and diluted lemon juice was not significantly different from the semen mixed with pineapple juice and with apple juice. There was no significant difference between the semen mixed with apple juice and with aloe vera juice (Table 3).
Table 3. Mean percentage of normal morphology of sperm in control semen and semen mixed with lemon juice, diluted lemon juice pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice over time.
Time (min) Control(1) Lemon(2) Dil lemon(3) Pineapple(4) Apple(5) Aloe vera(6)
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
0 5.00 ± 0.80 0.00 ± 0.00 3.75 ± 0.97 3.80 ± 1.61 3.50 ± 1.28 4.15 ± 1.31
5 4.15 ± 0.67 0.00 ± 0.00 2.75 ± 0.97 3.45 ± 1.57 3.10 ± 1.02 3.60 ± 1.19
10 3.35 ± 0.67 0.00 ± 0.00 1.67 ± 0.65 2.70 ± 1.22 2.45 ± 0.89 2.90 ± 0.91
20 2.70 ± 0.57 0.00 ± 0.00 1.33 ± 0.65 2.15 ± 0.93 2.05 ± 0.69 2.40 ± 0.82
30 2.05 ± 0.39 0.00 ± 0.00 0.17 ± 0.39 1.55 ± 1.00 2.00 ± 0.80 1.75 ± 0.72
60 1.40 ± 0.50 0.00 ± 0.00 1.17 ± 0.39 0.95 ± 0.69 0.95 ± 0.40 1.15 ± 0.49
Note: Test of statistically significant differences within and between groups by GLM (General Linear Model) for repeated measurement. All differences were significant (p < 0.001) for control semen with semen mixed with juices and between each kind of semen–juice mixture, except for semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with pineapple juice (3) versus (4), between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with apple juice (3) versus (5) and between semen mixed with apple juice and with aloe vera juice (5) versus (6), which were all not significant.
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Sperm motility or progression
Motility or progression of spermatozoa was categorized as previously described. The levels of sperm motility were unchanged at level b (score = 2) when the control semen was left at room temperature at 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min. After 60 min at room temperature, 40 percent of spermatozoa had progressively decreased to level c (score = 1) as shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Mean score of sperm progression in control semen and semen mixed with lemon juice, diluted lemon juice pineapple juice, apple juice and aloe vera juice over time.
Time (min) Control(1) Lemon(2) Dil. lemon(3) Pineapple(4) Apple(5) Aloe vera(6)
(score) (score) (score) (score) (score) (score)
0 2.00 ± 0.00 0.00 ± 0.00 2.00 ± 0.00 1.15 ± 3.66 1.90 ± 0.31 2.00 ± 0.00
5 2.00 ± 0.00 0.00 ± 0.00 2.00 ± 0.00 1.05 ± 0.36 1.90 ± 0.31 2.00 ± 0.00
10 2.00 ± 0.00 0.00 ± 0.00 2.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 1.90 ± 0.31 1.85 ± 0.37
20 2.00 ± 0.00 0.00 ± 0.00 1.50 ± 0.52 0.90 ± 0.30 1.90 ± 0.31 1.65 ± 0.49
30 2.00 ± 0.00 0.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 0.60 ± 0.50 1.05 ± 0.22 1.25 ± 0.44
60 1.60 ± 0.50 0.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 0.50 ± 0.51 1.05 ± 0.22 1.10 ± 0.31
Note: Score of sperm progression: level a = 3, level b = 2, level c = 1, level d = 0. Test of statistically significant difference within and between groups by GLM (General Linear Model) for repeated measurement. All differences were significant (p < 0.001) for the control semen with semen mixed with different juices and between each semen–juice mixture (1)–(6), except between semen mixed with diluted lemon juice and with pineapple juice (2) versus (3) and between semen mixed with apple juice and with aloe vera juice, (5) versus (6), which were both not significant.
After mixing the semen with the pure lemon juice, all the sperm showed immediate immobility with scores of d (score = 0). After the semen had been mixed with the pineapple juice, 85 percent of spermatozoa had progressively decreased to level c at 0 min (mean score = 1.15 ± 3.66), 80 percent at 5 min (mean score = 1.05 ± 0.36), and 100 percent at 10 min (mean score = 1.00 ± 0.00). However, at 20 min, 30 min and 60 min, the percentages of sperm progression in level c were 95 percent (mean score = 0.90 ± 0.30), 60 percent (mean score = 0.60 ± 0.50), and 50 percent (mean score = 0.5 ± 0.51), respectively (Table 4). After the semen was mixed with apple juice, the percentage of sperm was 95 percent at level b (mean score = 1.90 ± 0.31) at 0 min, 5 min, 10 min and 20 min, respectively, and 5 percent at level b (mean score = 1.05 ± 0.22) at 30 min and 60 min, respectively (Table 4).
Sperm progression after mixing with the aloe vera juice was unchanged, that is, 100 percent at level b at 0 min and 5 min, respectively, then at 10 min, 15 percent of spermatozoa had decreased to level c (mean score = 1.85 ± 0.37), at 20 min, 35 percent were at level b (mean score = 1.65 ± 0.49), at 30 min, 75 percent were level c (mean score = 1.25 ± 0.44), and at 60 min, 90 percent were level c (mean score = 1.10 ± 0.31) as shown in Table 4. When the semen was mixed with the diluted lemon juice, the level of progression of spermatozoa was unchanged (100% at level b) at 0 min, 5 min and 10 min. After that, at 20 min, 50 percent of sperm decreased to level c (mean score = 1.50 ± 0.52) and 100 percent of sperm decreased to level c (mean score = 1.00 ± 0.00) at 30 min and 60 min, respectively (Table 4).
pH of juices from natural products
The spermicidal effects of juices of natural products varied by the type of natural product. Several different characteristics of these juices could account for their spermicidal effects. One of these characteristics was acidity (pH). Pure lemon juice had the lowest pH (pH = 1), which resulted in immediate and profound spermicidal action. Diluted lemon juice had pH = 2 at the beginning and increased in pH after 10 min and later. Pineapple juice which had the second best spermicidal effects had pH = 3 at the beginning and increased to pH = 4 at 5 min and 10 min and then to pH = 5 later. Apple juice had pH = 4 at the beginning and pH = 5 for most of the time after that. Alove vera juice had pH = 6 during most of the experiment (Fig. 1).
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Fig. 1. pH from juices of natural products.
Discussion
This study confirmed that the natural products from plants are likely to make practical fertility-regulating agents. In the past, lists of plants were investigated to discover some practical and safe contraception. Plants are definitely sources of many useful and widely-employed drugs, and so practical fertility-regulating agents are likely to be discovered eventually from these sources (Farnsworth and Wall, 1982).
Farnsworth and Wall (1982) noted that the mechanisms of the agents that inhibit fertility by changing the characteristics of human sperm include disruption of spermatozoon plasma membranes (nonoxynol 9). Numerous enzymatic systems in viable sperm are also susceptible to inhibition, such as those involving glycolysis and energy productive myosin contraction. A large number of plants have been randomly selected and screened for spermicidal activity in vitro and several appear promising. For example, oleanolic acid and saponins in roots and seeds of several plants were found to have spermicidal effects (Farnsworth and Wall, 1982).
The current study confirmed a previous study that lemon juice immobilized sperm in the laboratory (Short et al., 2004) as did Krest Bitter Lemon drink. The mechanisms for this action are postulated to be due to its high acidity (pH = 2) which destroys spermatozoon plasma membranes. The study of Nwoha (1992) also found that the alkalinity of all drinks decreases spermicidal action. Coca-Cola and Krest bitter lemon juices may achieve very high efficacy if used as a post-coital douche, especially in the impoverished and densely populated third worlds. While the authors of the Krest Bitter Lemon study suggested its use as a postcoital douche, it is unlikely to be effective as no published studies have been done on the effectiveness of lemon juice preparations in preventing pregnancy, though they are advocated by some as a ‘natural’ spermicide (Short et al., 2004). Proper applications of spermicidal agents in conjunction with other barrier methods (such as a cervical cap or diaphragm or a tampon soaked with lemon juice or any kind of juice which has spermicidal effects, inserted into upper vagina just before intercourse) might be likely to have contraceptive effects, especially in an emergency and where no other method is available.
The study of Sagay et al. (2009) from the University of Jos, Nigeria on genital tract abnormalities among female sex workers who douched with lemon or lime juice, showed that the practice may be a risk factor for cervical dysplasia and further studies to explore the association between vaginal douching with lime juice and cervical dysplasia are warranted in communities where this practice is common. However, daily intravaginal administration of lime juice to macaque monkeys for one month causes no vaginal pathology (Sagay et al., 2009).
Nowadays, intravaginal lemon and lime juice douches are used by women in Nigeria to protect themselves from pregnancy and supposedly from sexually transmitted infections (Short et al., 2004). They advocated that lemon juice is not only an effective form of contraception, but also had an effect on the HIV virus. His study was based on his finding that intravaginal lemon juice applied prior to intercourse had been used as a contraceptive by women around the Mediterranean for more than 300 years. His findings also confirmed the contraceptive properties of lemon juice by showing that a 20 percent final concentration of lemon juice in a fresh human ejaculate irreversibly immobilized 100 percent of sperms within 30 s. In the current study, the diluted lemon juice (1:1 by volume) was not as effective as the pure lemon juice.
Investigations into spermicidal effects of juices from natural products have two major benefits. First, if the spermicidal effects are significant, they could be used as a component of a barrier contraceptive method when they are soaked into a tampon that is then inserted into the upper vagina just before sexual intercourse. Because juices are available in households or nearby markets, this type of contraception can be suitable for use as an emergency method. Second, as these juices are all natural products, their toxicity would be nonexistent or mild when compared to synthetic products.
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Penniston et al. (2008) discussed lemon juice and its components from which the following information is sourced. Lemon juice had the lowest pH at 1–2 because of citric acid which is the main component. Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 64 percent of the Daily Value in a 100 g serving whereas other essential nutrients are not present. As with other citrus fruits, they have a substantial concentration (about 47 g/L in juice) of citric acid. Lemons contain numerous phytochemicals, including polyphenols and terpenes (Rauf et al., 2014). Morton (1987) studied pineapple, one of the fruits from a warm climate and provided the following information. In addition to being used as food and drink, pineapple juice contains bromelain which is composed of a variety of substances, including peroxidase, acid phosphatase, calcium, and protease inhibitors. However, the main active ingredients are two enzymes known as fruit and stem bromelain, which cause break down dietary proteins, easing the body's digestive burden. Commonly applied as a meat tenderizer, when used appropriately, bromelain can tenderize overly inflamed and fibrin-congested muscles and connective tissues with its enzymes. Bromelain's fibrinolytic properties can contribute to thinning the blood; however, those on blood-thinning medications must be careful, especially when consuming any part of the bromelain-rich core. Furthermore, bromelain has the ability to enhance the absorption of other nutrients and drugs due to its ability to modulate intestinal permeability. This can be a good thing, for instance, if one is trying to absorb more of a therapeutic herb or nutrient, but a bad thing if one does not wish to disrupt the delicate pharmacokinetics of the bodily absorption and distribution of potent drugs. Bromelain has even been found to be superior to the highly toxic chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil as an anti-tumor agent in preclinical research (Báez et al., 2007). Pineapple juice, due to its low pH and other constituents in the juice, has been found to be effective at inactivating rotavirus, while honeydew and papaya juice failed (Yap et al., 2008). In the current study, pineapple juice was found to be the second most potent spermicide after the pure lemon juice. The role of pineapple juice as a spermicidal agent needs further investigation.
Eisele and Drake (2005) discussed apple juice and its ingredients and provided the following information. Apple juice usually has a pH in the range 3.37–4.24. Its main ingredient that contributes to its acidity is malic acid; although it also contains citric and quinic acid at the average concentration of 11.9 mg/100 mL and 41.8 mg/100 mL respectively, the concentration of malic acid is as high as 847.7 mg/100 mL. Apple juice also contains high concentrations of potassium and phosphate.
Atherton (1998) studied the Aloe vera plant and its components and provided the following information. Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids. The active acid components of Aloe vera are ascorbic acid in leaves, and glutaminic acid, aspartic acid, aloetic acid, fomic acid, palmitic acid and estearic acid in plants. Minerals in Aloe vera include calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese and aluminum.
Shelton (1991) studied the therapeutic properties of Aloe vera and provided the following information. Aloin is a compound found in the exudate of some Aloe species and was a common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States until 2002 when the Food and Drug Administration banned it because the companies involved in its manufacture failed to provide the necessary safety data. Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested or applied topically. Although toxicity may be less when the aloin is removed by processing, Aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts may induce side effects. Aloe vera juice has been marketed to support the health of the digestive system, but there is neither scientific evidence nor regulatory approval to support this claim and the extracts and quantities typically used for such purposes appear to be dose-dependent for toxic effects (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert, 2007).
Among the four tests of sperm characteristics, sperm concentration and sperm viability are two characteristics which showed apparent changes from control semen to semen mixed with the juices of natural products. On the contrary, sperm morphology and sperm progression showed less significant changes. Semen mixed with lemon juice produced immediate sperm death, morphological changes and immobility. Pineapple juice produced the second most potent spermicidal effects especially when sperm concentration and sperm viability were considered. Apple juice and diluted lemon juice showed comparable effects when mixed with semen. Aloe vera juice showed the least effects on sperm characteristics.
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Pure lemon juice had profound spermicidal effects. Other juices from natural products showed less effective spermicidal effects to varying degrees. Pineapple juice had a greater effect than apple juice, aloe vera juice, and diluted lemon juice. However, the apple juice and diluted lemon juice had slow but significant spermicidal effects over a longer period. The aloe vera juice produced the least spermicidal effects.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgment
This study was partially supported by the Chulalongkorn University Graduate School's Scholarship to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of his Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
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