Forgotten vaginal bees wax contraceptive insert in a 96 year-old woman presenting with tenesmus: a case report

Abstract

Objective: Contraception prevents unintended pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times. In this case report, we will discuss an old-fashioned method of contraception mimicking a cervical mass. Case report: A 100-year-old, according to her relatives but according to her identity card 96-year-old, woman was admitted to Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Health Application and Research Center Gynecology Clinic with a complaint of tenesmus. Under general anesthesia gently, a 4x4x3 cm cervical mass was extracted. It was grey in color, round and composed of a firm material. It was a piece of beeswax that had been inserted probably 60 years ago, used for contraception. Conclusion: In the Ottoman era, several plant roots, such as hibiscus root, were used as a as a contraceptive barrier method. However, some Turkish women still use traditional methods as seen in our patient. It is important to provide public education about safe contraceptive methods, especially before marriage to prevent unintended pregnancies.