Testaments of Female Natural Contraceptives: An Update on the Usage of African Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Traditional herbal methods of birth control have been used by many traditions for hundreds of years because they offer several benefits over modern methods like synthetic hormones, intrauterine devices (IUD), and surgery. This literature review set out to determine which African medicinal plants are used as contraceptives, with the most emphasis on Nigeria and some of the phytochemical constituents that are implicated in the anti-fertility. In this research, we used an e-library search and pertinent books to filter the published literature on the topic of plants with antifertility and contraceptive effects. More than 70 plants were shown to have a wide range of anti-pregnancy effects, including acting as abortifacients, inhibiting sperm motility, and even imitating or interfering with female reproductive hormones. Based on this review, over 15 substances have been identified as potentially having contraceptive effects, including ferutinin, quinovic acid glycosides, nimbolide, resveratrol, gossypol, etc. The lack of rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials that authenticate the efficacy and safety of natural contraceptives has led to persistently low rates of adoption despite the many benefits and various initiatives by government and developmental entities to increase their adoption in Nigeria. In conclusion, increased advocacy is required for scientists to intensify efforts in natural-based contraceptive research for proper validation and complementary effort with current conventional contraceptives.