Doc put me on birth control-am I sinning?

[whatevergirl]

What is your problem? You mentioned in an earlier post that we were trying to make the OP feel guilty for using the pill for medicinal purposes. All we told her was to watch out for side effects that makers of the pill warn women about in the first place. No one is trying to make her feel guilty as she has nothing to feel guilty about. Now you are being sarcastic by asking LJN21 if she has done a poll of OB/GYNs. What is wrong with recommending a second opinion?

I understand what you are saying…I know for myself, that my docs have tried different methods…and the pain and hormonal roller coaster rides made it hard for me to function day to day during my periods. The problem with the BC pill is that even if taken in the manner that the OP and I and others use it, ther can be a slippery slope to using it as bc…albeit a side bar to why a woman starts using it in the first place.

I get that.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Abortion is wrong…ABC has been proven to cause early abortions. So…its SERIOUSLY wrong without a SERIOUS reason to do otherwise. Abortion is no small sin, you can be excommunicated for it. This is something that must be very, very, very carefully thought out.

 

[whatevergirl]

I have no problem unless you want to create one. I asked LJN21 a simple question since she made what was by her admission, a “pretty bold statement”. And there have been posts suggesting that that the doctor’s advice was questionable. By the way, who’s “we” - I’d like to get to know them.

If I know 10 doctors who believe ABC is immoral and have never found a medical reason to prescribe it, that’s different from knowing 1,000 of the same view. That’s a valid question and it’s all I was asking.

My concern here is with what the Church actually teaches, not what some people may think it should teach.

seeker…please read my last post…i think that is why it can be potentially bad…because if one is taking it for hormonal reasons…the temptation to use it to avoid pregnancy might be there. Slippery slope…

 

[seekerz]

Here’s a relevant post from a doctor who has found genuine medical uses:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=1845475&postcount=15

Just type in the search term “pill necessary” and you’ll find the countless times this debate has been rehashed.

 

[whatevergirl]

Abortion is wrong…ABC has been proven to cause early abortions. So…its SERIOUSLY wrong without a SERIOUS reason to do otherwise. Abortion is no small sin, you can be excommunicated for it. This is something that must be very, very, very carefully thought out.

you cannot be excommunicated for having an abortion…one needs to go to Confession, and truly repent…but abortion in and of itself doesn’t lead to excommunication.

 

[seekerz]

seeker…please read my last post…i think that is why it can be potentially bad…because if one is taking it for hormonal reasons…the temptation to use it to avoid pregnancy might be there. Slippery slope…

I’m right there with you, but there’s a slippery slope between one drink and alcoholism; that doesn’t mean having a drink after dinner is wrong. The brakes that works for the slippery slope are called “conscience” and “self-control” not “suffering-with-a-treatable condition-because-you’re-afraid-to-sin”.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Actually it does, but you must know it does to be excommunicated. However, having said that, thankfully all American Priests have the authority to remove this penalty of excommunication due to abortion. They usually do this during the sacrament of pennace.

 

[whatevergirl]

Actually it does, but you must know it does to be excommunicated. However, having said that, thankfully all American Priests have the authority to remove this penalty of excommunication due to abortion. They usually do this during the sacrament of pennace.

we agree on that, then…ok.

 

[StratusRose]

I have no problem unless you want to create one. I asked LJN21 a simple question since she made what was by her admission, a “pretty bold statement”. And there have been posts suggesting that that the doctor’s advice was questionable. By the way, who’s “we” - I’d like to get to know them.

If I know 10 doctors who believe ABC is immoral and have never found a medical reason to prescribe it, that’s different from knowing 1,000 of the same view. That’s a valid question and it’s all I was asking.

My concern here is with what the Church actually teaches, not what some people may think it should teach.

There wasn’t a problem until you chimed in. Of course you need to question a doctor when it comes to your health. They’re not infallible. My pregnant friend was told by her OB/GYN 2 weeks ago that her baby was dead. She prescribed her RU-486 to expel the dead baby, but she didn’t take it. A week later she went back because he doctor wanted to make sure she didn’t have any clots from the dead baby. The baby was alive. The doctor didn’t see him/her in the sonogram. Oops.

No one ever suggested that the church should her views in regards to the birth control pill for health reasons.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m right there with you, but there’s a slippery slope between one drink and alcoholism; that doesn’t mean having a drink after dinner is wrong. The brakes that works for the slippery slope are called “conscience” and “self-control” not “suffering-with-a-treatable condition-because-you’re-afraid-to-sin”.

the intent is what is at the heart of this issue–yes, you are right. If the intent is to prevent pregnancy…then it is sinful. (once one knows this–I for one, back in my 20’s…did not know this…so ignorance is not an ingredient when looking at the recipe for mortal sin) That being said…I do think that one needs to really make absolutely sure that she doesn’t misguide herself into thinking she is using it for one reason–when really using it for another…another slippery slope.

To avoid it altogether, would be my preference.

 

[seekerz]

There wasn’t a problem until you chimed in. Of course you need to question a doctor when it comes to your health. They’re not infallible. My pregnant friend was told by her OB/GYN 2 weeks ago that her baby was dead. She prescribed her RU-486 to expel the dead baby, but she didn’t take it. A week later she went back because he doctor wanted to make sure she didn’t have any clots from the dead baby. The baby was alive. The doctor didn’t see him/her in the sonogram. Oops.

No one ever suggested that the church should her views in regards to the birth control pill for health reasons.

By “questionable” I meant “not sound advice” - I didn’t mean that people should not question their doctors. Lighten up, we’re just having an amicable discussion.

 

[francesco920]

you cannot be excommunicated for having an abortion…one needs to go to Confession, and truly repent…but abortion in and of itself doesn’t lead to excommunication.

That’s not what the Catechism says (my emphasis):

Abortion

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.71
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.72
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.73
2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion.
This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.
Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:
You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.74
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves.
Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.75
2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.
The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life.
** "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,"76** "by the very commission of the offense,"77 and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law.78
The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy.
Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

2273 The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation:
"The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority.
These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin.
Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being’s right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death."79

"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law.
When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined…
As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child’s rights."80

continued…

 

[francesco920]

continued from previous post…

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.
Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual…
It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence."81

2275 "One must hold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but are directed toward its healing the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival."82
"It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material."83
"Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities.
Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity"84 which are unique and unrepeatable.

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7Z.HTM

 

[LJN21]

By “questionable” I meant “not sound advice” - I didn’t mean that people should not question their doctors. Lighten up, we’re just having an amicable discussion.

This is literally a life and death matter. I don’t see anything to “lighten up” about.

 

[seekerz]

This is literally a life and death matter. I don’t see anything to “lighten up” about.

You know what, I’ll leave you guys to air your view. Who needs a voice of moderation anyway?

To the OP: don’t let anyone put you on a guilt trip about whatever course you decide you have to take, it’s all about intent.

Actually, type “pill necessary” into the forum search box (at top of page) and you’ll have more answers than you’ll ever need.

 

[StratusRose]

You know what, I’ll leave you guys to air your view. Who needs a voice of moderation anyway?

To the OP: don’t let anyone put you on a guilt trip about whatever course you decide you have to take, it’s all about intent.

Actually, type “pill necessary” into the forum search box (at top of page) and you’ll have more answers than you’ll ever need.

Again, no one tried to make her feel guilty.

 

[Seatuck]

Hi all- I am disturbed by the fact that my doctor has me on birth control pill. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002 and I produce almost zero estrogen on my own. My Ob/Gyn has me on birth control for hormonal support. I’m pretty much unable to have a child. I had one, but we had some help from infertility drugs. Am I a sinner because I take the pill? If I don’t take it, I’m at a big health risk as far as uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease, etc. He tells me that I’ll probably take it until my late 30’s and then go off and go into “menopause”. But by taking it, I’ve really eliminated the possibility of pregnancy. DH says it’s ok to take it because I can’t get pregnant anyway? any thoughts? twk

The main thing to do is to start researching everything you can on PCOS. Be specific with the doctor about why you’d prefer not to take the pill and see if he can come up with another treatment plan. Look online at websites where other woman are dealing with this problem. One I know of is www.soulcysters.com Obviously throw out any advice that is immoral.

Humana Vitae says this:
*

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)

It doesn’t actually say that we can take medications that don’t cure anything. The pill does not cure , it just alleviates some symptoms. The pill is not mentioned specifically at all. I tend to think it’s a bit of a stretch to say the pill is allowed . I can see that paragraph more likely referring to hysterectomy in case of disease or removal of a tube in case of homrrhaging ectopic.

 

[francesco920]

*It doesn’t actually say that we can take medications that don’t cure anything. The pill does not cure , it just alleviates some symptoms. The pill is not mentioned specifically at all. I tend to think it’s a bit of a stretch to say the pill is allowed . I can see that paragraph more likely referring to hysterectomy in case of disease or removal of a tube in case of homrrhaging ectopic. *

I agree with this, and doesn’t the fact that the pill is an abortifacient make it more likely that it is not allowed?

 

[rlg94086]

seeker…please read my last post…i think that is why it can be potentially bad…because if one is taking it for hormonal reasons…the temptation to use it to avoid pregnancy might be there. Slippery slope…

In our experience, sadly, some priests even push you down that slippery slope. In confession, I told a priest that my wife used ABC. We had discussed ending its use because of Church teaching, but she had reservations because the last time she was off of BC, her acne got bad. He immediately chimed in with “well, then the birth control is an unintended side effect.” Wrong. The acne control was a welcome side effect that my wife didn’t want to give up!

Anyway, we did stop taking ABC, started using NFP, and found other ways to deal with the acne. It still bothers me to this day, that a priest would jump to a pro-birth-control response so easily. It’s sort of like the doctors that go straight for the easy prescriptions, I guess.

Anyway, I do agree, that if it is the only way to medically treat something, then the sin is not mortal. However, I believe all options should be reviewed/exhausted.

 

[whatevergirl]

In our experience, sadly, some priests even push you down that slippery slope. In confession, I told a priest that my wife used ABC. We had discussed ending its use because of Church teaching, but she had reservations because the last time she was off of BC, her acne got bad. He immediately chimed in with “well, then the birth control is an unintended side effect.” Wrong. The acne control was a welcome side effect that my wife didn’t want to give up!

Anyway, we did stop taking ABC, started using NFP, and found other ways to deal with the acne. It still bothers me to this day, that a priest would jump to a pro-birth-control response so easily. It’s sort of like the doctors that go straight for the easy prescriptions, I guess.

Anyway, I do agree, that if it is the only way to medically treat something, then the sin is not mortal. However, I believe all options should be reviewed/exhausted.

Yes, they should be exhausted before using this as a last resort. It shouldn’t be the first option. I didn’t have acne though…I was in agonizing pain…but I understand your point.