Vienna's Museum of Contraception and Abortion Opens to Educate on Birth Control History

A new museum dedicated to contraception and abortion has opened in Vienna. The MUVS – Museum of Contraception and Abortion, founded in 2003 by gynecologist Christian Fiala, aims to document the cultural history of birth control and educate young people on responsible sexuality. The museum's collection includes 2,000 objects and over 1,000 books, donated by doctors, scientists, researchers, and institutions. Exhibits range from ancient ineffective methods like condoms made from animal intestines and diaphragms from crocodile dung, to a wooden table hiding a porcelain bidet used for vaginal douches a century ago, to modern pregnancy tests and condoms. The museum also displays tools and syringes historically used for abortions. Fiala stated that while he can educate a limited number of people as a doctor, the museum allows global dissemination of knowledge about reliable contraceptives and safe medical abortions. The museum is located at Mariahilfer Guertel 37 in Vienna.