While doing research for tomorrow night’s Mindshare LA talk on masturbation, I came across a slew of old 1920’s ads for Lysol, and all I can say is I’m so glad I wasn’t alive (at least not that I remember) during these Lysol days. Not only was Lysol intended to go up into the vagina to clean it out, but the ads were so misogynistic, it’s a wonder any woman still buys the darn products.

From 1930 to 1960, vaginal douching with Lysol was the most popular form of birth control in the United States. And not only was it a method of contraception, Lysol encouraged women to douche with their products to keep their husbands happy. As if a woman who doesn’t douche with Lysol would lose her husband to a woman who did.

For those who are thinking of giving this a go in modern times, let me just remind you that the vagina is a self cleaning oven, and that there’s no need to use Lysol for birth control or to save your marriage. Besides, it won’t work.

I know you know this already.

More lysol ads here.