Dysmenorrhea and Menorrhagia

[Triciacat]

I am an Orthodox Christian but always like to keep an open mind regarding other religious doctrines, but my mind can eventually shut, which is a good thing as we are commanded in 2 Timothy 2 to be responsible to earnestly seek the truth, and will have to be accountable for that, not for others that we let do our thinking for us, regardless of who they are. We are also told that to add or subtract anything from scripture is an abomination. Hard to say if this means all the biblical interpretations we are subjected to. I strive for purity and truth, which in the end becomes simplicity, and so it becomes easier to separate the proverbial wheat. God’s ways are not our ways, so hard to say what He thinks about birth control, and I wouldn’t want to arrogantly suppose on anything when it comes to Him! He knows our hearts and our intents.

With dysmennorhea, one needs to get a thorough diagnosis, whether it is “just” cramps (“just”???) meaning primary dysmenorrhea, or whether there is pathology involved (secondary dysmennorhea.) If the diagnosis is primary dysmennorhea, best of luck, unless you use birth control to limit the number of cycles you actually have. Some people find that birth control for primary dysmenorrhea does work for them as it tends to reduce the amount of bleeding. It didn’t work for me, however. If the diagnosis is secondary dysmennorhea, such as endometriosis, which is fueled by hormones, then birth control can be an option. There are several dietary recommendations and supplements which include an anti-infammatory one which supposedly helps decrease the prostaglandin (pain-producing) reaction. They are fairly restrictive, however, and I tend to fall off the wagon. I guess I should re-look at this now that I have a diagnosis. If anyone has any alternative/non-drug therapies which have worked for them, I would love to hear about it.

Sorry to hear about your trials with your health. Decisions made with a prayerful regard seem to work best, and it sounds like you have made peace with yours.

 

[Pug]

If I choose to take it again it would be for that reason, to take it continuously so that I don’t have a cycle except when I choose to do so. Three times a year instead of 24 times a year sound good to me.

Perhaps a female Pope with dysmenorrhea might put all the birth control stupidity to rest once and for all (???)

I think you are trying to say that if men had to go through the pain of cramps and associated dysfunctions, then maybe some research would have moved along a little faster, instead of women being told by doctors to buck up or grin and bear it. But the Church does allow a woman to take the pill to deal with endo and the like. It is allowed for medical reasons. This is an old, resurrected thread, so I can’t tell if this was made clear, so I thought I’d make sure it was.

In response to another poster, rolltidefan, I was on this thread several years ago, when it started. I am probably one of those who testified that I know two people whose problems ceased after one child to term. That was the end of screaming for two days every 28 days. (I mean, after they had the child and were no longer pregnant that the periods that came back were nice, calm, tolerable periods). I do not know why it helped them, it just did. It is undeniable. It simply worked to remove the pain from all their periods after pregnancy. Both of these women got pregnant fairly young, though, which may make all the difference, since the disease had not progressed forever. Also, I understand that for some women, the pain can get worse with pregnancy, or can be unaffected.

That info is really only of use as encouragement to those who have pain and plan on having kids.

 

[Triciacat]

Thanks for your comments and your information regarding using birth control for medical reasons. I’m not sure why it is common knowledge that it is not to be used at all, however(?)

Giving birth can lessen the severity of the pain as the cervix becomes more dilated and can allow the heavier, painful clots to pass easier. Sounds like an easy fix for women with no kids, using uninvasive surgical techniques, but my doctor has said there is no such surgery available.

 

[Triciacat]

A clergy consisting of both men and women would be better able to provide council concerning the life and religious issues confronting both sexes. An exclusively male-dominated clergy will never be able to walk a mile in a woman’s shoes. It is intrinsically impossible. God created men and women differently, each with his and her own strengths. To assume otherwise is complete and utter arrogance.

 

[Pug]

Thanks for your comments and your information regarding using birth control for medical reasons. I’m not sure why it is common knowledge that it is not to be used at all, however(?)

I don’t know why. But, something in your choice of words (“birth control”) makes me wonder if I need to clarify. Sometimes when I’m not paying attention, I use the words “the pill” and “birth control” to mean the same thing. The pill, even though it will have contraceptive side effects, can be used to treat a medical condition (like maybe endometriosis growths). What is not okay is to use the pill for the purpose of preventing conception, that is, to use it as birth control and not as a treatment. This applies even if the woman is ill with some disease that is unrelated, like cancer, and so she and her doctor determine she ought to not conceive at this time. A Catholic in that situation can abstain. The pill would not be treating the cancer. It would be contraception in that case, and thus not allowed.

Perhaps confusion arises because when Catholics are kids in CCD (the classes where they learn about the faith), they are taught that birth control (aka the pill) is wrong. I doubt anyone is trying to tell kids at that tender age that some women have medical issues that might need hormone treatment. So, they are never taught about it unless it comes up for someone they love. That’s just a guess as to why.

Anyway, so you don’t have to take my word for it , here is a link to an Ask An Apologist thread here on this site, which quotes the relevant document.

Also, on this site you will find many people in the camp that one ought not use the pill, but rather go to a special doctor (a Dr. Hilgers) who uses alternative treatments that regular doctors seem to be unaware of. But this is more of a medical opinion thing, and not a doctrine thing, other than the idea to take care of yourself appropriately, and that low side effects is better than high side effects, etc.

OH, I just figured out what you said about the cervix. I didn’t get it the first time. Yes, that makes some sense why having a child might help.

 

[Pug]

A clergy consisting of both men and women would be better able to provide council concerning the life and religious issues confronting both sexes. An exclusively male-dominated clergy will never be able to walk a mile in a woman’s shoes. It is intrinsically impossible. God created men and women differently, each with his and her own strengths. To assume otherwise is complete and utter arrogance.

Some female Catholics get spiritual direction from a member of their own sex. A spiritual director does not have to be a priest.

 

[Triciacat]

Thanks for the link. Would not abstaining also be considered a form of birth control, the same as taking “the pill?”

 

[Triciacat]

Some female Catholics get spiritual direction from a member of their own sex. A spiritual director does not have to be a priest.

Yes, I am aware of this. The door slams shut for females beyond that point, however.

 

[rolltidefan]

Pug…I also know friends that have personally had a baby and their pain just stopped also. Unforutnately that was not the case for me. I think in some ways it may have been more from c-sections than anything though. I never had problems with a period, other than the normal cramping until I had my kids. But, I do agree that it can help woman as I have seen it help friends of mine.

Triciacat…Once again I agree with you. I think in anything there should probably be a panel for both sides. Especially when you are dealing with womens health. Or for that matter, a man that has to go for a prostate exam and is not offered anything for prostate problems because the “woman” just doesn’t understand. So, I understand your point once again! lol

I do disagree with the churches teaching (if what Pug wrote is what I read it to be) is “what is not okay is to use the pill for the purpose of preventing conception, that is, to use it as birth control and not as a treatment. This applies even if the woman is ill with some disease that is unrelated, like cancer, and so she and her doctor determine she ought to not conceive at this time. A Catholic in that situation can abstain. The pill would not be treating the cancer. It would be contraception in that case, and thus not allowed” …I had my tubes tied because of a medical condition that they told me that would be life threatening to have a child. It was not an easy choice. However, I am only 35and to not be intimate with my husband for the rest of mine and his life is just ludacris and I don’t believe is what God has told us to do either. I believe this would cause other problems and probably causes a lot of turmoil in a marriage that actually practices this. Anyway, as I always say, just my 2 cents! lol

 

[Triciacat]

Thanks for the link. Would not abstaining also be considered a form of birth control, the same as taking “the pill?”

I’ll answer my own question. One has to do with self-denial and self-control, the other doesn’t.

 

[Pug]

Thanks for the link. Would not abstaining also be considered a form of birth control, the same as taking “the pill?”

I was typing this when I suddenly saw you answered yourself. It is true that abstaining for a bit takes some discipline (understatement). I’ll post it anyway, just in case.

If by birth control you mean a couple desires to plan ahead about births, then abstaining periodically can be that and it is considered okay to plan like that for the proper reasons. But it is considered different from most types of birth control, of which the pill is an example, which attempt to reduce the fertility instead of observing it and planning for it. The Church teaches that a couple may determine that they need to abstain for awhile. That might be a topic for a different thread, though, and not the one on dysmenorrhea. Maybe check out the many NFP vrs ABC threads on this site, though they can be kind of argumentative and unhelpful for basic info. It’s a popular topic, probably because it is hard for many people to see a difference between the two. Basically, it has to do with NFP **does **nothing to reduce the fertility you have today or next tuesday or whenever. You keep charts and stuff, but the charts don’t change anything about how fertile you are.

NFP = natural family planning (which might involve abstaining a bit)
ABC = artificial birth control methods

 

[Pug]

I had my tubes tied because of a medical condition that they told me that would be life threatening to have a child. It was not an easy choice. However, I am only 35and to not be intimate with my husband for the rest of mine and his life is just ludacris and I don’t believe is what God has told us to do either. I believe this would cause other problems and probably causes a lot of turmoil in a marriage that actually practices this. Anyway, as I always say, just my 2 cents! lol

rolltidefan,

I’m sorry the pain has been there for you. Along with you, I hope it is easier for the next generation of young women. It could be that C-sections are bad for many women. I know they do research to find out if they are overused by doctors for their own (the doctor’s) convenience.

I understand what you are saying about turmoil if a married woman was told by the doctors that she ought not have any more children, especially when considering how lots of abstinence until menopause might affect a marriage. I think this happens to a number of women, too. My two cents on abstaining is that it taught me things that I wouldn’t have learned in other ways. Of course, I know I have a very hard head, no need to point that out…

 

[rolltidefan]

Pug…I think you are right…there are a lot of surgeons and even some women that think a c-section is the easy way out. I can tell them that it is NOT the easy way out. For me I know my doctor made a decision based strictly on I couldn’t have a child vaginally because after hours of labor we couldn’t figure out why my first born would not come down into the pelvis. He took me into CT and we found out that my pelvis bone are more “flat shaped” and not the normal “heart shaped”, so the baby could not pass. Wished I had known that a lot sooner than laying there for hours and pushing for hours!!! lol Anyway, with the second, I was a scheduled c-section. I do think c-sections or any surgery for that matter cause a lot of scar tissue and then you have that to deal with for years. I am just not one of those women who were meant to have lots and lots of babies and I have come to terms with that. Of course after raising two at this point, I don’t know that I would want more than 2. It could be that I have a 14 year old and 11 year old and these teen years are HECK!!! lol One of my friends will hold a baby and she will say, awww don’t that make you want to have more…I am like HECK NO! They grow up to be teens!!! lol

I wouldn’t say you are hard headed. I would just say you believe what you believe. One thing I can say for you…you have said what you believe, but you say it with a loving attitude and that means alot to me here.

I think abstaining might be good for some people, but not for all. I know I always keep in my mind, if I feel convicted about doing something, then I better not. So, I don’t feel a conviction at all for my hard decisions that I have had to make. However, I believe if people do feel a conviction, no matter what for, they better not do it, because it is the holy spirit telling you something. It has been really nice talking to you and getting your side also.

 

[rayne89]

Yes, I am aware of this. The door slams shut for females beyond that point, however.

And as woman I thank God for that. Being a priest in not about power, or status -it is being a servant of God. Christ was a male, he chose apostles that were male. I do not think I have the right to questions God’s wisdom. Women can serve God and his church in many ways. I do not feel slighted by the male priesthood.

Using hormonal contraception to treat a medical condition is absolutely allowed by the church. As long as the purpose is to treat a medical condition, then the prevention of pregnancy is an unfortunate side effect of the medical treatment.

The arguement that a man couldn’t understand what a woman goes through so he can not counsel them is ridiculous. Doctors do not have to be shot to treat a gun shot wound, they do not need to experiece diabetes, or lupus or cancer to treat it. Psychologists do not have to experience mental illness in order to be able to counsel someone who suffers from it. You do not have to have the same experience as someone else in order to feel compassion and empathy for them.

 

[rolltidefan]

Rayne89…I completely understand what you are saying. You don’t have to have shared the pain to have the sympathy for a person. With that being said though, these doctors are trained to treat the diabetes and etc. So of course most know how to treat it, doesn’t mean a lot of them really care nor do they have sympathy. Some doctors just enjoy the fact that they are drawing a paycheck. I work in the medical field, so I look at doctors a little differently than most. I think that is what most people don’t get with doctors, they aren’t God and cannot fix everything. By their name on their advertising signs or even in the phone book or at the doctors office, the signs will say practicing in dermatology, gynecology, urology or etc. The key word is practicing. Doctors learn for years, but then they practice what they learned on us. Doesn’t mean they don’t know what they are doing, because we do have some dang good doctors our there. So yes, you are right they can treat the symptoms, but that doesn’t mean they have sympathy for you. So I think with having men govern over ladies with no counsel. They can have the sympathy, but they do not have the empathy also which is different. Of course, I think you also said that the church allows the use of ABC for medical conditions, so this really shouldn’t even be a problem. If the person feels guilty about taking ABC, even for the use of just birth control, they need to have a good conscience about doing it, if they don’t, they better stop.

I know for myself, most of the GYN doctors around here are Catholic and they do tubals and give out birth control all day long. So, if the church comes down so hard on it, where is their accountability in their actions? I also used to work for a doctor, very sharp man, such a good man also, but he and his wife were Catholic. We were talking one day, of course with me being protestant we talked a lot about the differing matters, we were discussing birth control and he and his wife said they believed it was a sin, but they used it anyway and would just go to confession about it. However, if you continue to keep doing the sin you are doing, is that truly a confession to change from your ways?

Also another question, my husband is Catholic and he acts like he NEVER heard them mention in the church or the Catholic school he went to say antyhing about birth control. Would this be the case that some of the churches does not teach this belief? Or has he just suddenly forgot that was taught?

God Bless You.

 

[Galnextdoor]

Hi!

The important thing to do is to figure out what is causing the dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. Before I was married, I had both to the point where I would pass out. The doctors told me it was endometriosis and when I got married and got pregnant, depending on where it was located, it would probably go away. After I got married, I tried NFP, but since I only had one or two periods a year, I went to a doctor to if there was something I could take to be more regular. He suggested I take the pill for a couple of months, then stop to see if that would help. I did and for a few months afterwards I had a regular period, but the effect was only temporary. I went back to him again two years later to see about getting pregnant. I went back on the pill for a couple of months, then I went off. I had a few periods after I went off, but didn’t get pregnant.
They did an ultrasound and discovered I had polycystic ovaries, not endometriosis. They told me the scarring was so bad that I would never have children.

A year later, having had no period, I got pregnant. The doctor asked how I got pregnant. I told him the usual way. Then he asked what method I used. I told him with my husband and the grace of God.

Now, they use insulin controlling drugs to help with the symptoms of polycystic ovaries. There are different surgical techniques for endometriosis depending on where it’s located.

Even though you don’t want to get pregnant right now, a doctor who specializes in fertility may be able to help you get your periods regulated without artificial birth control. Then you can use NFP.

(ABC, as long as it’s not an abortifacient pill, can be used the way I did without being a sin. If deep down, the real reason for using the pill is to avoid pregnancy, even if you have the occasional irregular period, it’s wrong.) (Using the pill to prevent pregnancy, then going to confession and continuing to use the pill, only adds another sin to the one they are already committing.)
God Bless You and Good Luck.