CLAIM: Papaya seeds can act as a natural contraceptive if swallowed whole, without chewing

FACT: While consuming unripe or semi-ripe papaya, which contains latex with papain, may pose risks during pregnancy, including uterine contractions and miscarriage, but their use for birth control remains unsubstantiated

A post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), by user @RefilweSeboko, claims: “Ladies, add papaya seeds to your daily diet to prevent pregnancy. Don’t chew, swallow them. It’s natural birth control. Stay safe.” The post has 46.7K views, 435 likes, and 45 retweets.

What is the fact?

A study examined the effects of the water extract of papaya seeds (Carica Papaya) on female rats by assessing changes in their body weight, estrous cycle (female reproductive cycle) and other indicators of female reproductive health. The findings revealed that water extract of papaya seeds led to infertility, and reduced progesterone levels  - a hormone made mainly by the ovaries.

Reduced progesterone levels in non-pregnant women, indicate abnormal ovulation, which, in turn, indicates insufficient female hormones. In pregnant females, low progesterone is associated with miscarriage or a high risk of miscarriage.

However, studies on the effects of papaya seeds on female reproductive health or pregnancy have not been conducted on women. Without such human studies, it is not possible to determine whether consuming papaya seeds affects pregnancy, even if similar observations have been recorded for the consumption of papaya flesh.

There is some scientific evidence suggesting that papaya, especially when consumed raw or semi-ripe by expectant mothers, may not be entirely safe due to its potential to induce uterine contractions. 

“Normal consumption of ripe papaya during pregnancy may not pose any significant danger, however, the unripe or semi-ripe papaya (which contains high concentration of the latex that produces marked uterine contractions) could be unsafe in pregnancy,” says this study.

When contacted, Dr. Anuradha Kapur, Principal Director and Head of Unit in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Max Healthcare emphasized that while papaya seeds may have some effects on reproductive health, they are not a reliable or safe method of contraception for women

“Papaya seeds consumed during pregnancy can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage and pre-term labour,” she told First Check. 

“They contain latex, which contains an enzyme called Papain, which can cause uterine contractions. Papaya seeds are not meant as a contraceptive in women. In fact, they cause irregular cycles in the woman. And they decrease the sperm count and motility in a male, but they are not to be used as a contraceptive (sic),” she added.

Also read: Fact-check: Emergency contraceptive pills are safe - First Check