birth control and examples of church approved medical reasons

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angeline15

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I am currently on a med called spironolactone for my high androgen (testosterone) levels and cystic acne, that has been all over my body for 5-6 years. I had an ovary rupture from a 14 cm cyst at 21, and was initially on BC for period regulation and cyst prevention, and had no acne and light periods. It was believed that losing one ovary reduced my estrogen. I went off BC a few yeara ago and was then started on this spironolactone- an androgen regulating diuretic, to control my painful body cysts.

My concern is this- I am currently anemic from heavy periods (on iron) and have my acne cysts treated with Spiro. I am chaste and marrying this year and cannot continue Spiro when married, because it blocks male hormones and can harm a male fetus. Even with NFP I am worried to harm a fetus…

My doctor recommends BC as an alternative for my anemia, acne, estrogen regulation. It would not be for contraception but is this a reasonable medical purpose?
Could we abstain during fertile periods (with NFP charting) to mimic the absintance we would be doing?

Thanks! And sorry for all the medical termonology- I work in health care and have trouble talking over heads sometimes. God bless!
 
I apologize for typos as I submitted this from a phone. Thanks!
 
A few things come to mind. The Church does not have problems with contraceptive drugs if they are used for non-contraceptive purposes per se. Here are some quotes I’m familiar with from a bishop, Pope, and priest:
*
  • Blake Farenthold (to Bishop William Lori during a congressional hearing in 2012) - The Catholic Church does not have a problem with contraceptives for medical purposes. So I would assume from that it wouldn’t be morally objectionable to the Church to pay for those for medical purposes. I’m not trying to put you on the spot, I’m just trying to make sure I understand where the Church stands.
    Bishop Lori - That would be my understanding also.
  • On the other hand, the Church does not consider at all illicit the use of those therapeutic means necessary to cure bodily diseases, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result there from—provided such impediment is not directly intended for any motive whatsoever. (Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 15)
  • If a person is taking the birth control pill for other reasons, then during the time they’re taking the pill they must refrain from marital relations. Because there are no proportionate reasons to put a conceived human embryo in danger of dying. So can you use it as a medicine for other reasons? Yes, but you must refrain from relations during that period. (Fr. Francis Hoffman, Relevant Radio, Feb. 28, 2012, MP3 archive)
*All quotes from here. I would say whatever you do, you do not ever want to put a child in jeopardy.

All that being said, it might be well to consult a priest or moral theologian on this matter as an individual’s situation may be unique, and you can discuss levels of pain for which you are taking the medicine, etc… Here are a couple medical resources I’ve heard on Catholic radio:
The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Downers Grove OB/GYN

They might be able to provide both medical and moral advice. I hope that helps. God bless you for even looking into it. :o
 
angeline15 said:
I am currently on a med called spironolactone for my high androgen (testosterone) levels and cystic acne, that has been all over my body for 5-6 years. I had an ovary rupture from a 14 cm cyst at 21, and was initially on BC for period regulation and cyst prevention, and had no acne and light periods. It was believed that losing one ovary reduced my estrogen. I went off BC a few yeara ago and was then started on this spironolactone- an androgen regulating diuretic, to control my painful body cysts.

My concern is this- I am currently anemic from heavy periods (on iron) and have my acne cysts treated with Spiro. I am chaste and marrying this year and cannot continue Spiro when married, because it blocks male hormones and can harm a male fetus. Even with NFP I am worried to harm a fetus…

My doctor recommends BC as an alternative for my anemia, acne, estrogen regulation. It would not be for contraception but is this a reasonable medical purpose?
Could we abstain during fertile periods (with NFP charting) to mimic the absintance we would be doing?

Thanks! And sorry for all the medical termonology- I work in health care and have trouble talking over heads sometimes. God bless!
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I’m confused by your post. I want to clarify: You say you are going to stop the medication you are currently on because it can harm a baby, and that your doctor recommends you take birth control pills instead to control similar symptoms. So it’s unclear to me for what reason you are switching, unless it is for contraception (which would be an additional effect that is not occurring at the moment with the medication you currently have. But the medication you are currently on is working, correct?)

You would not be able to practice NFP while using birth control anyway because you would not be ovulating. Sometimes there is breakthrough ovulation, but if taken consistently you are more than likely going to have nothing to chart, except for the withdrawal bleeding when taking the placebo pills.

My understanding of Catholic teaching is that, if you are taking the Pill to treat a medical condition and NOT to contracept, then it is fine to take it even though it has the side effect of temporary infertility. But I’m not sure that’s the case here - it sounds like the doctor is recommending you take it so that you do not get pregnant, which wouldn’t matter if you’re off the other drug anyway unless there are lingering effects. Maybe you could clarify for us or clarify with the doctor what the reason for the proposed switch is?
 
Hi let me clarify-
  1. if I continue on spiro I cannot get pregnant without harming fetal development. Therefore I cannot take it when I marry, as NFP would not effectively protect from pregnancy, and pregnancy would be harmful.
  2. if i cannot take the above medication, the only alternative is BC, as it has the same anti-androgenic (testosterone lowering) capabilities for my PCOS and would also be protective towards future cysts on my only remaining ovary. This, of course, would be taken to preserve ovarian function and stopped when we have a child. It is unclear if that is contraception, because we were 100% going to use NFP before understanding the risks of my current medication.
What matters is obviously church teaching, which seems murky. I live near the OB/GYN recommended above and will get their opinions as well.
 
angeline15 said:
Hi let me clarify-
  1. if I continue on spiro I cannot get pregnant without harming fetal development. Therefore I cannot take it when I marry, as NFP would not effectively protect from pregnancy, and pregnancy would be harmful.
  2. if i cannot take the above medication, the only alternative is BC, as it has the same anti-androgenic (testosterone lowering) capabilities for my PCOS and would also be protective towards future cysts on my only remaining ovary. This, of course, would be taken to preserve ovarian function and stopped when we have a child. It is unclear if that is contraception, because we were 100% going to use NFP before understanding the risks of my current medication.
What matters is obviously church teaching, which seems murky. I live near the OB/GYN recommended above and will get their opinions as well.
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It seems to me, then, that the primary reason that your doctor is recommending you switch to birth control is to contracept. That would be against Church teaching. The recommendations provided by MarcoPolo are good ones.

NFP is successfully used by people who absolutely **must **avoid pregnancy. They may have to follow the rules more conservatively, but it absolutely can be used. Keep in mind that even with perfect use the pill is not 100% either. Are you familiar with any specific methods of NFP? Could you be confusing it with the rhythm method or calendar-based methods which are not as reliable?
 
pensmama87 said:
It seems to me, then, that the primary reason that your doctor is recommending you switch to birth control is to contracept. That would be against Church teaching. The recommendations provided by MarcoPolo are good ones.

NFP is successfully used by people who absolutely **must **avoid pregnancy. They may have to follow the rules more conservatively, but it absolutely can be used. Keep in mind that even with perfect use the pill is not 100% either. Are you familiar with any specific methods of NFP? Could you be confusing it with the rhythm method or calendar-based methods which are not as reliable?
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We are learning multiple nfp methods and I am considering purchasing a ladycomp, however, if I take Spiro and get pregnant (because 98% is not 100%) and that causes unintended harm a fetus how is that a better alternative?

I’m very confused where everyone is assuming I am trying to contracept here! Please hold your judgments as I am purely trying to find the alternative with the least amount of potential harm!
 
angeline15 said:
We are learning multiple nfp methods and I am considering purchasing a ladycomp, however, if I take Spiro and get pregnant (because 98% is not 100%) and that causes unintended harm a fetus how is that a better alternative?

I’m very confused where everyone is assuming I am trying to contracept here! Please hold your judgments as I am purely trying to find the alternative with the least amount of potential harm!
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The reason for switching to the birth control would be so you would not get pregnant. That is the *definition *of contraception.

The hormone treatment provided by the Pill in itself could be perfectly fine. But the fact that you are switching specifically to avoid pregnancy is what makes it problematic from a moral point of view. And I repeat from my earlier post that there is no point trying to do NFP while on the Pill. There aren’t fertility signals to chart. If the Pill works as intended, there’s no ovulation occurring. Why buy a ladycomp if you’re on the Pill?

(Though no method of birth control is 100%, not even the Pill.) If it’s really, really super critical that you avoid pregnancy, you probably need to practice 100% abstinence, at least while lingering effects from the previous drug are still in your system. I wouldn’t trust that to a drug that can fail.
 
To be more precise, what I am asking is:

Are you switching to the Pill to avoid pregnancy, or are you switching to the Pill to manage your symptoms so that if you got pregnant (which can happen sometimes on the Pill) the baby would not suffer the ill effects of the other drug?

My understanding is that the first situation is not morally okay, but the second situation is. It’s about your intent in using the drug.
 
angeline15 said:
We are learning multiple nfp methods and I am considering purchasing a ladycomp, however, if I take Spiro and get pregnant (because 98% is not 100%) and that causes unintended harm a fetus how is that a better alternative?

I’m very confused where everyone is assuming I am trying to contracept here! Please hold your judgments as I am purely trying to find the alternative with the least amount of potential harm!
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No one is judging you on here yet. You asked a question that is complicated and there will be many opinions.

Mine is this. You seem like you have some serious health issues. We cannot give out medical advice on here. I would recommend that you seek a pro life and Catholic OBGYN who is faithful to the Church and knowledgeable about it. There may be other options for treatment. You can also look into the doctors at NAPRO and see if they can be of some help to you. Your health needs to be of primary focus here, and it cannot be secondary to an upcoming marriage. My advice it is to get crystal clear on your medical issues and then worry about your vocation to have a family. Your husband to be should be involved with this as well and fully on board with a Catholic solution.
 
I have had similar health issues, so I know what you’re going through. I’ve resolved my anemia, but also had an ovarian cyst that birth control was able to shrink and assist with. Like someone else said, I am pretty sure that you are okay as long as you’re not using it for its intended use;)

Discuss it with your priest.
 
pensmama87 said:
The reason for switching to the birth control would be so you would not get pregnant. That is the *definition *of contraception.

The hormone treatment provided by the Pill in itself could be perfectly fine. But the fact that you are switching specifically to avoid pregnancy is what makes it problematic from a moral point of view. And I repeat from my earlier post that there is no point trying to do NFP while on the Pill. There aren’t fertility signals to chart. If the Pill works as intended, there’s no ovulation occurring. Why buy a ladycomp if you’re on the Pill?

(Though no method of birth control is 100%, not even the Pill.) If it’s really, really super critical that you avoid pregnancy, you probably need to practice 100% abstinence, at least while lingering effects from the previous drug are still in your system. I wouldn’t trust that to a drug that can fail.
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Once again, let me clarify, lest me jump ahead to me being the definition of contraception again.

We are learning NFP and were going to buy a ladycomp and all this before realizing that 1) my Spironolactone does not give accurate readings because it interferes with hormones- increasing the RISK of pregnancy 2) spironolactone is HARMFUL to pregnant women and should be avoided in anyone who may get pregnant.

To repeat my point, we are concerned the accuracy of NFP would potentially harm a child.

The doctors wanted me on the pill initially and I opposed. I am not regulating my cycles now. which is not recommended for women after an ovary and fallopian tube are removed. The reason is I, like all of you, do not favor the pill. Spironolactone is my compromise to minimize cysts.

You mention to merely take birth control components while not contracepting. Currently spironolactone is the alternative for that. I am not aware of any low dose estrogens that would help in a way that is not harmful. All of my ob/gyns have stated to take the BC. Only my current non-ob is prescribing the Spiro, because my body breaks out in cysts. I am going against treatment that is recommended.

The question is which I can take. And thank you for those who have answered. I will see a doctor.
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
… You seem like you have some serious health issues. We cannot give out medical advice on here. I would recommend that you seek a pro life and Catholic OBGYN who is faithful to the Church and knowledgeable about it. There may be other options for treatment. You can also look into the doctors at NAPRO and see if they can be of some help to you. Your health needs to be of primary focus here, and it cannot be secondary to an upcoming marriage. My advice it is to get crystal clear on your medical issues and then worry about your vocation to have a family. Your husband to be should be involved with this as well and fully on board with a Catholic solution.
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This…

But from what I understand the reason you are switching from the other medication is kind of to be able to be more open to pregnancy almost, since you would have to be ultra conservative to avoid pregnancy with the original medication (and you feel NFP may not be conservative enough) because of the effects, so the only alternative medication is the BCP. Aside from what Hoosier said above, a good priest can help you evaluate your situation, but the main thing to keep in mind is if the principle of double effect works here… You are taking BCP for reasons other than avoiding pregnancy (and that seems like what is going on here to me from what you said), and the reasons to use this medication with the unintended side effects are serious enough to make it moral to use it. That is the part you have to evaluate, and may need the help of a good confessor that understands the gravity of your circumstances. I have had acne, I wouldn’t consider that a serious reason to use BCP, but you have other reasons.
 
angeline15 said:
I am currently on a med called spironolactone for my high androgen (testosterone) levels and cystic acne, that has been all over my body for 5-6 years. I had an ovary rupture from a 14 cm cyst at 21, and was initially on BC for period regulation and cyst prevention, and had no acne and light periods. It was believed that losing one ovary reduced my estrogen. I went off BC a few yeara ago and was then started on this spironolactone- an androgen regulating diuretic, to control my painful body cysts.

My concern is this- I am currently anemic from heavy periods (on iron) and have my acne cysts treated with Spiro. I am chaste and marrying this year and cannot continue Spiro when married, because it blocks male hormones and can harm a male fetus. Even with NFP I am worried to harm a fetus…

My doctor recommends BC as an alternative for my anemia, acne, estrogen regulation. It would not be for contraception but is this a reasonable medical purpose?
Could we abstain during fertile periods (with NFP charting) to mimic the absintance we would be doing?

Thanks! And sorry for all the medical termonology- I work in health care and have trouble talking over heads sometimes. God bless!
Click to expand...
Let me know if I understand correctly:

You are currently taking Spiro to alleviate cysts and acne due to medical issues.

A birth control pill would alleviate the cysts and acne, but also alleviate the heavy periods and anemia due to your medical issues.

Would the birth control pill control or manage your health issues better than just the spiro?

If so, I think it would be moral to take, you would be treating your medical problems, the side effect would be infertility.
 
Folks, birth control pills here are acting as a hormonal therapy to correct for an androgen imbalance that significantly increases the likelihood of the OP developing fertility-threatening cysts on her remaining ovary. They are suggested as an alternative to Spiro, which is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its anti-androgenic action, and are the first line treatment recommended to Angeline by her OB for PCOS.

Angeline, to summarize, you have two viable hormonal therapies. With Spiro, the concern of fetal impact stems from the expected failure rate of a natural family planning method. The NFP efficacy consideration is moot absent Spiro’s adverse effects.

I would talk to a bioethicist and/or your priest. My lay instinct is that your reasons for using BCPs for hormone therapy would be morally licit in the context of Humanae Vitae, as the intended result is to prevent damage to your ovary and protect your ability to have children. That’s a serious medical reason.
Humanae Vitae:
Lawful Therapeutic Means
  1. On the other hand, the Church does not consider at all illicit the use of those therapeutic means necessary to cure bodily diseases, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result there from—provided such impediment is not directly intended for any motive whatsoever. (19)
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Source: w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html
 
It is perfectly okay to take birth control pills for a medical reason, and you have a very serious medical reason.

Women do get pregnant while they are on the pill sometimes. They either forget to take it too many times, or maybe they are on an antibiotic that stops the effectivness of the pill. When this happens, normally the woman will have a healthy baby 9 months later.

The pill you’re on now can harm unborn children.

In Catholic teaching, there are four Cardinal Virtues, and Prudence is one of them. The Pope can’t put out a commandment for every circumstance. You are supposed to use your conscience and your common sense.

Personally, I would not take a drug that would harm a child, if there was any possibility that I could get pregnant.

If it were me, I would go on the pill. I assume that if you wanted to have a baby, you could quit all pills and give it a try.
 
angeline15 said:
…My doctor recommends BC as an alternative for my anemia, acne, estrogen regulation. It would not be for contraception but is this a reasonable medical purpose?
Could we abstain during fertile periods (with NFP charting) to mimic the absintance we would be doing?
Click to expand...
The principles are:

you can’t take steps, such as taking drugs, for the purpose of avoiding a pregnancy.

You can take drugs which are medically necessary to treat a serious medical condition, even if they have the undesired consequence of causing infertility in a sexually active person.

In taking medicines, you need to consider whether they may have an abortive effect. This creates an additional moral dilemma if you are having sexual relations.

It would be important for you and any potential husband to fully understand your situation, treatments and implications morally and medically before agreeing to marry.
 
I have very similair problems to you. I am seeing a NaPro doctor who helps all my issues much better than BC ever did…and there’s no moral issues. My doctor is a few hours away, but after the initial visit and surgery that I needed, we’ve done many appointments over the phone and I get lab work done at our Catholic hospital, which is familiar with Creighton.

I HIGHLY recommend that you research this. I can’t sing their praises high enough,

popepaulvi.com

fertilitycare.org
 
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