birth control......

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Yup, I just got an initial infertility appointment for after the new year with the ONE napro doc in central ohio…it’s an hour’s drive each way, and a heck of a hassle, but completely worth it to me. I’m now working on the argument to get my PCM to actually put the referral into the system to make sure it gets paid by my healthcare; even the docs around the country who are trained in napro have a bustling practice that requires some time before appts can be had.

It’s difficult to find them, but they are out there if you’re committed to finding them – it can be done
 
StephanieC said:
So…couldn’t this thread count as part of the “self-education” process?😉
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Technically, I suppose so. However, here you are mainly only getting biased “Catholic-think” opinions on what the Church says. I’m not saying thats bad, but I was talking about cruising the net looking at WEBmd or other web sites concerning her specific problem. Getting the whole picture and then making an educated decision.
 
i don’t find nothing wrong with BC. If I didn’t take it, I’d be passing out and being depressed all the time.
 
djamu said:
i don’t find nothing wrong with BC. If I didn’t take it, I’d be passing out and being depressed all the time.
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Oral contraceptives do not treat depression. I hope a doctor did not tell you this!

If you pass out when you are not receiving a hormonal replacement therapy, have you received medical advice on possible blood disorders?

Dr. Hilgers treated my friend who has myoclonic(sp) epilepsy, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. He did several surgeries and she is hoping that she still have a miracle of a chance to one day conceive.

Our menstrual cycle is more than a sign of fertility; it is a sign of our bodies working. To cover that up is similar to stopping up our plumbing or holding our nose closed. How old fashioned!
 
I’m a virgin and plan to be one for the rest of my life. I don’t know why its wrong if you’re a confirmed spinster.
 
I’ve seen this many times on this board.

One thing to remember that may take away all your angst.

Birth control pills are nothing more than hormone pills. These particular hormones that you need for your medical condition happen to trick your body into thinking it’s pregnant. It’s just easier and cheaper to prescribe you BC pills instead of hormone treatments. Which is really what you are on.

Had you needed a different type of hormone, you wouldn’t be feeling this way at all, would you? All hormones have some side affects. The ones you are taking just happen to have the side affects that make you feel guilty.

Your guilt is ill placed. You are doing nothing wrong, and in fact, I would argue that you would be hurting yourself and others if you stop your medicine and end up in the hospital or dead.
 
djamu said:
I’m a virgin and plan to be one for the rest of my life. I don’t know why its wrong if you’re a confirmed spinster.
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djamu,
In the sense or morality, it is not wrong to have hormonal replacement therapy if needed for your body. Of course, someone who is engaging in sexual intercourse should be carefully discerning this as 1) there is usually a better alternative or medical treatment and 2) some forms of birth control can cause spontaneous abortions or other developmental problems.

But in sense of best medical treatment, artificial birth control is rarely on the “good pick” list for healthy choices. It is used to alleviate symptoms but does little to cure or treat many of the illnesses out there.
 
People. Please wake up.

We call it Birth Control. What it really is is hormone treatment.

YES, it is often prescribed for depression/chemical imbalances, etc… It is a very good choice compared to a lot of other medicines.

ONLY when it is used for the express purpose of preventing a pregnancy is it a sin. Medicine taken for a valid reason that happens to prevent pregnancy (and there are many besides traditional BC pills) is not a sin.

NOT A SIN!!! Women should not be made to feel guilty about this. The OP suffers from the misunderstanding of other people. People who, though maybe well intended, make others feel guilty for a medical need.
 
pira114 said:
People. Please wake up.

We call it Birth Control. What it really is is hormone treatment.

YES, it is often prescribed for depression/chemical imbalances, etc… It is a very good choice compared to a lot of other medicines.

ONLY when it is used for the express purpose of preventing a pregnancy is it a sin. Medicine taken for a valid reason that happens to prevent pregnancy (and there are many besides traditional BC pills) is not a sin.

NOT A SIN!!! Women should not be made to feel guilty about this. The OP suffers from the misunderstanding of other people. People who, though maybe well intended, make others feel guilty for a medical need.
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pira, you are partially corrrect. The original, artificial hormone was created by a doctor interested in treating women’s fertility and menstrual issues. It was only later that this was marketed for preventing conception.

After that, the dosage was changed and several variations became popular.

A prescription for oral contraception is still different from, say, taking artificial progesterone to help hormone imbalances that cause depression.

Also take into account that some clinics, hospitals or even primary care physicians receive ABC as “goodies” from pro-abortion groups or organizations, or that part of the sale of birth control can go to such organizations. So that does still play a part in terms of the patient’s moral obligation and/or conscience.

Oral contraceptives are produced with 3 things in mind: anovulation through progestigin, changing the hormonal base of the reproductive system to make it unwelcome for sperm, and tightening of the epithelial lining of the uterus so that a new human cannot live.

It would be a much better medical and moral choice to research carefully, meet with several doctors including a pro-life doctor and specialist, and choose a hormonal replacement that utilizes specific chemicals based on their own attributes, and not some dangerous cocktail intended to stop a major body system from functioning.
 
hasikelee said:
pira, you are partially corrrect. The original, artificial hormone was created by a doctor interested in treating women’s fertility and menstrual issues. It was only later that this was marketed for preventing conception.

After that, the dosage was changed and several variations became popular.

A prescription for oral contraception is still different from, say, taking artificial progesterone to help hormone imbalances that cause depression.

Also take into account that some clinics, hospitals or even primary care physicians receive ABC as “goodies” from pro-abortion groups or organizations, or that part of the sale of birth control can go to such organizations. So that does still play a part in terms of the patient’s moral obligation and/or conscience.

Oral contraceptives are produced with 3 things in mind: anovulation through progestigin, changing the hormonal base of the reproductive system to make it unwelcome for sperm, and tightening of the epithelial lining of the uterus so that a new human cannot live.

It would be a much better medical and moral choice to research carefully, meet with several doctors including a pro-life doctor and specialist, and choose a hormonal replacement that utilizes specific chemicals based on their own attributes, and not some dangerous cocktail intended to stop a major body system from functioning.
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I gotta tell ya, I don’t care what it was origionally made for. If it has been studied and works well, then why not? Millions of women have been prescribed BC for the purpose of bringing their hormones back in balance, or counter acting another hormone that is causing cysts. Which, by the way, can cause several severe conditions including shock, septic blood, etc… and these can lead to death. I know this because I attended the funeral of my co-workers wife who ruptured a cyst and tried to “deal with” the pain. She became septic, went into shock, and died next to him in bed.

So forgive me if I seem passionate about this.

But the real point here is that it is not immoral, nor is it in any way a sin, to take medication prescribed for a real medical issue. Regardless of the unfortunate side affect of preventing birth. Regardless of what the origional intent of the medicine was. It’s only a sin if she takes it for the express purpose of preventing life. Period. You all know that, so quit making women feel guilty about it.

If a woman can find a suitable alternative, great. More power to her. **But the question in this post is relating to a woman considering stoping her current medical treatment because she feels guilty! ** She should continue until another viable method can be found. No sin, not immoral, should be no guilt, and definately should be more support here.
 
pira114 said:
I gotta tell ya, I don’t care what it was origionally made for. If it has been studied and works well, then why not? Millions of women have been prescribed BC for the purpose of bringing their hormones back in balance, or counter acting another hormone that is causing cysts. Which, by the way, can cause several severe conditions including shock, septic blood, etc… and these can lead to death. I know this because I attended the funeral of my co-workers wife who ruptured a cyst and tried to “deal with” the pain. She became septic, went into shock, and died next to him in bed.

So forgive me if I seem passionate about this.

But the real point here is that it is not immoral, nor is it in any way a sin, to take medication prescribed for a real medical issue. Regardless of the unfortunate side affect of preventing birth. Regardless of what the origional intent of the medicine was. It’s only a sin if she takes it for the express purpose of preventing life. Period. You all know that, so quit making women feel guilty about it.

If a woman can find a suitable alternative, great. More power to her. **But the question in this post is relating to a woman considering stoping her current medical treatment because she feels guilty! **She should continue until another viable method can be found. No sin, not immoral, should be no guilt, and definately should be more support here.
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The real point is that the hormonal replacement therapy generally known as the pill or as an oral contraceptive is mixed, dosed and intended to prevent ovulation and tighten the lining of the uterus. The intention of that particular therapy is not for treating reproductive issues.

It is not “if a woman can find a suitable alternative.” It is not finding an alternative to oral contraceptives. That means you have a doctor who is not very interested in trying to treat your illness to the best of yours and his ability.

As others on this post have mentioned, birth control pills sometimes alleviate symptoms, but they do not treat illness and oftentimes only allow the illness to silently continue. Along with that comes the side effects, which are numerous and cumulative.

Oral contraceptives are a poor alternative to real health care. If the woman feels guilty about her choice to use prescribed oral contraceptives, why is it wrong for her to seek better health care options? Even though it was not an informed awareness that brought her to this point, she now has a chance to truly treat her reproductive illness instead of covering it up or delaying it.
 
pira114 said:
But the real point here is that it is not immoral, nor is it in any way a sin, to take medication prescribed for a real medical issue. Regardless of the unfortunate side affect of preventing birth. Regardless of what the origional intent of the medicine was. It’s only a sin if she takes it for the express purpose of preventing life. Period. You all know that, so quit making women feel guilty about it.
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Most side effects of medication, while serious, do not possibly involve the death of someone else, however small and “insignificant” that person may be.

If I was in this situation, I would look for an alternative, even thoughit would be OK with the church, as my own instincts would not let me risk the life of any of my unborn children.

Just my 2 cents.
 
The real point is that the hormonal replacement therapy generally known as the pill or as an oral contraceptive is mixed, dosed and intended to prevent ovulation and tighten the lining of the uterus. The intention of that particular therapy is not for treating reproductive issues.

You are right that it was intended to be used as a contraceptive. But the bottom line is that it is nothing more than hormones. If taking those hormones helps another significant health risk, then there is nothing wrong with it. Encouraging someone to stop taking their medication is unforgivable and immoral as it could have serious reprocussions. “Helping” that person feel more guilty about it is just as bad. I know no one here told her to stop before she found alternatives, but with all the language used so far, it would encourage her to do so, especially since she stated that it was on her mind to just stop.

Most side effects of medication, while serious, do not possibly involve the death of someone else, however small and “insignificant” that person may be.

I NEVER said that a life is insignificant. Those are your words trying to diminish my arguement. Won’t work. Reason, Logic, and the Church teachings win here no matter what anyone says. She is doing nothing wrong or sinfull. I would argue it is those telling her that she is that need to go to confession.

P.S. Someone’s gonna have to tell me how you quote little peices of stuff and type in between the quotes so I can stop copying things and changing the color. :o
 
Lila grace,

I’m interested to know if any of this has been helpful and if you have made any decisions.

Remember that on this forum we tend to get real passionate about our stances on some things. We kinda hijack threads and forget about the OP sometimes.

I can see good cases for both sides being stated here, but in the end, you will have to make your own decision. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Let us know what going on if you like, people here can be pretty supportive when your just asking for prayers! We’re good at that!😃

I’m gonna pray for ya anyway.
 
pira,

I am starting to feel as if you are using my posts to get your feelings about other people on this forum across. I have not demeaned or criticised the original poster, nor have I said that is is immoral to use oral contraceptives for reproductive ilness.

Also, it appears that using the word “intended” is causing some confusion between us. You are reading my use of “intended” as meaning motivation or internal decision by a person. I am using it to mean that the purpose of the actual dosage and type of chemicals is not to treat reproductive illness but rather to cause anovulation and uterine changes.

There are plenty of things in life that can affect that for which they are not intended. This does not mean it is proper, moral or even good to use them for any accidentally discovered use.

For example, drano will unplug your intestines. It really will. It’s intention is to unclog sewer systems, but you can use it for humans. Of course, it carries serious side effects, don’t ya know. 😉

Seriously, though, other hormonal replacement therapies, surgeries and treatments are soo soo much better than birth control that moral or religious reasons don’t even have to be brought up. I am sure that is why there are plenty of athiests that don’t use the stuff.
 
Hasikelee,

I wasn’t talking just about you. I’m refering to everyone who seems to be advising, or could be interpreted as advising, that the use of BC, in the manner the OP is, is immoral. That was a mouth full!

Anyway, hormone therapy is cheaper than prescription BC. So why aren’t docs using it? I don’t know. I’ve heard many explanations why or why not. But the BC works for reducing or preventing ovarian cysts. Reading internet articles about hormone therapy, they have the same warnings that the BC does. I don’t know what doses they use, but I can only guess that they would have to be close to what is in BC.

Remember that BC is nothing more than hormones. Why they were developed into the pill they come in is irrelevant if that’s not what you are using them for. If you go get hormone therapy, it would have the same effects. Get it? The same effects as BC. Because they are essentially the same. Hormone therapy just usually comes in a transdermal form, or IV form. BC is more convieniant because it is usually in pill form. Either way, pregnancy is most likely prevented.
 
pira114 said:
Hasikelee,

I wasn’t talking just about you. I’m refering to everyone who seems to be advising, or could be interpreted as advising, that the use of BC, in the manner the OP is, is immoral. That was a mouth full!

Anyway, hormone therapy is cheaper than prescription BC. So why aren’t docs using it? I don’t know. I’ve heard many explanations why or why not. But the BC works for reducing or preventing ovarian cysts. Reading internet articles about hormone therapy, they have the same warnings that the BC does. I don’t know what doses they use, but I can only guess that they would have to be close to what is in BC.

Remember that BC is nothing more than hormones. Why they were developed into the pill they come in is irrelevant if that’s not what you are using them for. If you go get hormone therapy, it would have the same effects. Get it? The same effects as BC. Because they are essentially the same. Hormone therapy just usually comes in a transdermal form, or IV form. BC is more convieniant because it is usually in pill form. Either way, pregnancy is most likely prevented.
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pira,
I am not an expert on oral contraceptives but I do know that I understand the basics, both because I have studied them as a requirement for my education and also because I have been required to advise women on their use and monitor their treatment as an assistant. My df’s sister is even on progestigen right now as she has a suspected hormonal imbalance causing mild depressive symptoms.

I have mentioned several times on here that oral contraceptives were created with a few things in mind. Again, I sense some confusion here as we appear to be using terms differently. The intention is all-too important, because the intended use of the chemicals will dictate how much and what kinds of chemicals are used.

For example, a candy bar and a fruit salad both contain glucose. Yet the salad is intended as nutrition for a healthy lifestyle and a candy bar is not. They do have the same ingredients, yet the candybar has also different ones and different quantities for a different purpose. Now, both the candybar and the salad alleviate a symptom: hunger. And they both could possibly cause indigestion as a side effect. Yet you wouldn’t say they are both good choices for health.

Oral contraceptives are extremely popular for patient care because 1) they alleviate symptoms, which is what many primary care or resident doctors seek to do as they are not specialists and on average see their patients for about 20 minutes a visit and 2) oral contraceptives are oftentimes available for free, given to doctors and patients as goodies, offered with incentives, and even offered politically in hospitals or care organizations.

Depending on the insurance program a woman has, oral contraceptives are usually much, much cheaper and even if you don’t have insurance, places such as Planned Parenthood are willing to give out some for free or on a sliding scale. On the other hand, developing a unique therapy for a patient to change the levels of serotonin, estrogen and progesterone usually require a lot of effort and patient-doctor interaction. I know the insurance program my Df’s sister has does not cover any of this and it is expensive.

Anyways, we all come across things that are not inherently evil or immoral. But we can still use our instinct, hearts and minds, to realize that it is not the wisest thing to do, or in this case, the healthiest.
 
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