A UK survey has revealed that myths about contraception may be widespread.

一项英国调查显示关于避孕法的传说可能会被广泛传播。

One in five women said they had heard of kitchen items, including bread, cling film（食品薄膜） and even chicken skin, being used as alternative barrier methods.

Others had heard food items such as kebabs（烤肉串）, Coca-cola or crisps（炸土豆片） could be used as oral contraceptives（避孕用品）.

The survey questioned 1,000 women aged¹ 18 to 50 and was carried out by market research company Opinion Health, sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma.

Contraceptive myths have been around for thousands of years.

Ancient methods have varied² from crocodile（鳄鱼） dung（粪） and honey before sex, to sea sponges（海绵动物） and beeswax（蜂蜡） after.

Perhaps the most intoxicating³（令人兴奋的） was alcohol made from stewed⁴（焦虑不安的，烂醉的） beaver（海狸）'s testicles（睾）.

However, it seems that a variety of unsafe and unproven methods might still exist in modern Britain.

Dr Annie Evans, Women's Health Specialist at the Bristol Sexual Health Centre, said: "It is not surprising, given that Britain continues to have the highest unintended pregnancy⁵ rate in Europe."

Alarming

Other myths surround the use of oral contraceptive pills. One in 10 of the women questioned believed that it always takes a number of years to regain⁶ fertility after discontinuation（停止，中止） of the pill. Others believed that the pill could protect them against HIV.

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal of General Practitioners⁷, commented: "This is alarming but not surprising.

"I've had complications with patients over the years that have concerned me.

"The more we can put appropriate information to the public about the availability of different methods of contraception, about their advantages and disadvantages, the better.

"It is important that access to advice is made as easily as possible for all ages."