HELP! Tubal Ligation/Birth Control for medical treatment

[bella5]

I have a question about birth control not utilized as contraception but as a medical treatment. I am currently 38 years old but back when I was 21 I had a tubal ligation after my third daughter and I have been regretting that decision ever since. However through my years I became more educated in my faith and learned what a grave sin I had committed and I have repented completely. I still to this day long for a child. I consider it to be biggest mistake of my whole life. It has now been sixteen years since my tubal and I am now starting to experience external physical repercussions for my decision. My body is out of whack, I’m very fatigued; I gained 30 pounds since the tubal; I have heavy painful periods; and I have facial hair growth which is extremely embarrassing. The symptoms have gotten worse through the years and recently I decided to go to see my OB GYN and he said my hormones levels were off. He prescribed a low dose of birth control pills until my hormone levels returned to normal. I asked our priest and explained everything about the tubal and the birth control pills and how they were going to be used and he said he was not sure and I should seek other alternatives until I further researched it from a faith perspective. Should I take the pills or not? Please let me know what I should do?

 

[basilisk]

It seems to me your doctor is prescribing the pills as hormone replacement therapy. That is completely morally acceptable under church teaching, as far as I know.

Also, as you have already had a tubal, you are already incapable of conceiving. The pills are not going to affect that.

It seems you are on solid moral ground to take them, if your doctor thinks they are appropriate.

And, as you have repented of your sin (I assume formally in Confession) you are forgiven for it. It does not need to affect your decision-making anymore. It does not exist in God’s eyes anymore.

BTW, these symptoms likely have nothing to do with your tubal. A tubal ligation does not affect the hormonal functioning of the ovaries. They sound like normal peri-menopausal things to me.

 

[bella5]

Yes I have confessed this grave sin in Confession but I still feel very guilty about it and for many years I prayed for my tubal to be healed but that hasn’t happend yet. However, thank you for the advice I appreciate it.

 

[Teakafrog]

Your symptoms sound a lot like PCOS, and birth control pills do not cure it, they simply cover up the symptoms–there are other medications that will actually treat the source of the problem. I would suggest you do some research on it yourself, since we are not allowed to give medical advice here. You might also want to seek a second opinion from a reproductive endocrinologist, since most OB/GYNs are not trained in how to deal with most hormonal problems–they just throw birth control pills at everything.

 

[iluvmybabies]

I have a question about birth control not utilized as contraception but as a medical treatment. I am currently 38 years old but back when I was 21 I had a tubal ligation after my third daughter and I have been regretting that decision ever since. However through my years I became more educated in my faith and learned what a grave sin I had committed and I have repented completely. I still to this day long for a child. I consider it to be biggest mistake of my whole life. It has now been sixteen years since my tubal and I am now starting to experience external physical repercussions for my decision. My body is out of whack, I’m very fatigued; I gained 30 pounds since the tubal; I have heavy painful periods; and I have facial hair growth which is extremely embarrassing. The symptoms have gotten worse through the years and recently I decided to go to see my OB GYN and he said my hormones levels were off. He prescribed a low dose of birth control pills until my hormone levels returned to normal. I asked our priest and explained everything about the tubal and the birth control pills and how they were going to be used and he said he was not sure and I should seek other alternatives until I further researched it from a faith perspective. Should I take the pills or not? Please let me know what I should do?

Yeah I asked for advice about the pills a couple of days ago and I was told to seek other help! I was not going to use the pills for contraception but for hormonal balancing…Yet I was requested to find a second opinion and someone whom would be able to prescribe other medication…

So it’s surprising if people tell you to go for it…I wasn’t trying to use them as contraception either since I am having hormonal imbalances as well, it’s frustrating when you are trying to do something for your health and people tell you that it’s a sin and to seek religious medical help…

Good luck, I think you could take them, shouldn’t have any problems!! God bless!

 

[SMHW]

Your symptoms sound a lot like PCOS, and birth control pills do not cure it, they simply cover up the symptoms–there are other medications that will actually treat the source of the problem. I would suggest you do some research on it yourself, since we are not allowed to give medical advice here. You might also want to seek a second opinion from a reproductive endocrinologist, since most OB/GYNs are not trained in how to deal with most hormonal problems–they just throw birth control pills at everything.

Additional opinions are always a good idea.

I think it’s important that bella5 know that her symptoms are not unusual for someone her age. There are various ways to deal with the symptoms and she can research them.

 

[basilisk]

Additional opinions are always a good idea.

I think it’s important that bella5 know that her symptoms are not unusual for someone her age. There are various ways to deal with the symptoms and she can research them.

The bolded part here is important. People on this board seem so quick to jump to PCOS. Yet all her symptoms sound like NORMAL peri-menopausal symptoms, and her age indicates that she is in that period of her life. Not EVERYTHING is a disorder!

 

[Alix1912]

Using BC pills for hormone therapy is probably just fine. But then again, I’m protestant and while I personally use NFP, I don’t really have a problem with birth control, as long as a fertilized egg is not harmed.

I took BC pills for about 6 months about a year after getting my first period because it started coming twice a month. I wasn’t using them to prevent conception, just to straighten out my periods.

Do what you need to for your health and don’t let people who don’t have medical degrees tell you that you are sinning.

 

[basilisk]

Do what you need to for your health and don’t let people who don’t have medical degrees tell you that you are sinning.

Wow… Alix, I was right with ya until this. That is extremely disrespectful of the Catholic faith. Our priests do not have medical degrees, nor do most theologians, nor bishops, nor the Pope. But when they tell us something is a sin, they have the right and obligation to do so, and we need to listen!

Some theologians are liberal or dissenters, so not so much all theologians… but if my priest or bishop tells me something is a sin, I have to be guided by that!

Never mind that Catholic teaching is pretty clear in saying that hormone therapy without contraceptive intent is morally acceptable…

 

[bella5]

Wow… Alix, I was right with ya until this. That is extremely disrespectful of the Catholic faith. Our priests do not have medical degrees, nor do most theologians, nor bishops, nor the Pope. But when they tell us something is a sin, they have the right and obligation to do so, and we need to listen!

Some theologians are liberal or dissenters, so not so much all theologians… but if my priest or bishop tells me something is a sin, I have to be guided by that!

Never mind that Catholic teaching is pretty clear in saying that hormone therapy without contraceptive intent is morally acceptable…

I have to agree Alix our Priest is a wonderful holy man and I have great respect for him and the guidance of the Holy Mother Church and there are many theologians who are progressive in the Faith but I’m not.

 

[kage_ar]

I’d just seek out something OTHER than these hormones. Your body is getting older. Hair on the face, yep - waxing is easy.

Weight gain, exercise and moderation in diet will do wonders.

Look hard at the side effects of any medication before you take it.

 

[whatevergirl]

Your symptoms sound a lot like PCOS, and birth control pills do not cure it, they simply cover up the symptoms–there are other medications that will actually treat the source of the problem. I would suggest you do some research on it yourself, since we are not allowed to give medical advice here. You might also want to seek a second opinion from a reproductive endocrinologist, since most OB/GYNs are not trained in how to deal with most hormonal problems–they just throw birth control pills at everything.

It is a quick(er) fix, to be honest…BUT, when you take the pill it definitely can cause a host of other issues. The pill nowadays has been able to prevent many cancers, even breast cancer is reduced. It is the pill of yesteryear that is bad…because they were made with too high of an estrogen level.

But, I think that there are other methods that can resolve the problems. Even a drastic change in diet and exercise can take away certain PCOS symptoms. I agree…seems to be the only thing the docs offer.