I know issues on contraception is a frequent thread, but

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Christine_Lee

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I’m single and celibate (for now) and I use the pill. I use it because I have a very irregular cycle and it helps to regulate it. I have come to the realization that I will have to use NFP when I do marry and just deal with my irregualr cycle. But till then, is it all right since I’m not engaging in any form of sex?
 
Christine_Lee said:
I’m single and celibate (for now) and I use the pill. I use it because I have a very irregular cycle and it helps to regulate it. I have come to the realization that I will have to use NFP when I do marry and just deal with my irregualr cycle. But till then, is it all right since I’m not engaging in any form of sex?
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Contraceptive sex is the issue, not the pill for medical purposes. You are in no way sinning at this time. However, there may be other treatments for your condition that may be available and would be more healthy. The pill is known to be prescribed for many conditions as a “cure all.”

I’m curious. Why would an irregular cycle be a concern now and not when you are married?
 
Christine_Lee said:
I’m single and celibate (for now) and I use the pill. I use it because I have a very irregular cycle and it helps to regulate it. I have come to the realization that I will have to use NFP when I do marry and just deal with my irregualr cycle. But till then, is it all right since I’m not engaging in any form of sex?
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Your question has been asked on Ask and Apologist. The answer is that if you are using the pill for medical reasons ONLY (which is what you have indicated you are doing) it is okay.
 
newbetx said:
Contraceptive sex is the issue, not the pill for medical purposes. You are in no way sinning at this time. However, there may be other treatments for your condition that may be available and would be more healthy. The pill is known to be prescribed for many conditions as a “cure all.”

I’m curious. Why would an irregular cycle be a concern now and not when you are married?
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My cycle is so irregular it sometimes skips a whole month. While I wait for it I waste so many pads and liners. As a Protestant who has gone so long not knowing about Mortal Sins I’m trying to re-evaluate the choices I mke in my every day life. I just thought of this issue today, so I’m not fully sure of myself.
My mother and grandmother had the same problem. It went away only after they had their first child. Some how having a baby “cures” it.
 
MagicKirk said:
Your question has been asked on Ask and Apologist. The answer is that if you are using the pill for medical reasons ONLY (which is what you have indicated you are doing) it is okay.
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I did ask them myself that question. But to my knowledge i didn’t recieve an answer.
 
Research the serious harm that these strong drugs can do to your body.
 
Exactly - contraceptive pills just mask the symptoms of whatever is REALLy wrong with you. If you plan to ‘deal with it’ eventually then why not ‘deal with it’ now?
 
Christine_Lee said:
I’m single and celibate (for now) and I use the pill. I use it because I have a very irregular cycle and it helps to regulate it. I have come to the realization that I will have to use NFP when I do marry and just deal with my irregualr cycle. But till then, is it all right since I’m not engaging in any form of sex?
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No sin for using the pill as you describe; however, you may want to consider the longer term health risks you’re exposing yourself to. From what I’ve read, most doctors pretty readily prescribe the pill since it’s an easy fix. “Treat and street” is the motto of American health care. Something to consider.
 
Christine_Lee said:
My cycle is so irregular it sometimes skips a whole month. While I wait for it I waste so many pads and liners.
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Learn NFP. You won’t be “wasting” pads and liners “waiting” for your period. You will know when it is arriving. Honestly, learning about your cycle and how it works would help you tremendously. Lots of women think they are “irregular” but a normal cycle is anywhere from 26-35 days in length.

Also, learning the Creighton Model and consulting with a Creighton trained physician could get to the bottom of what is really going on-- be it a hormone imbalance, a vitamin/mineral deficiency, or a more serious issue. There are likely ways to treat this without “the Pill.”
 
I was in your shoes not too long ago and now I’m engaged. I can relate to your question because I actually used to almost dread the thought of meeting someone because I thought it would mean a return to a lot of physcial suffering!

The answer that I have been given by the National Catholic Bioethics Center is that if it is necessary for medical reasons, it is ok at this time with our current scientific knowledge. However there is more scientific research being done, and if it starts looking more like the pill can cause early abortions (which at this time their evidence is that it does not), it would not be morally acceptable. So they have instructed me to keep taking it, and check back periodically to make sure none of the evidence has changed.

Its not that I like to take it and I definitely agree about trying to find another cure. Maybe try an nfp-only gynecologist. Unfortunately even that did not help me.
 
Annette0723 said:
However there is more scientific research being done, and if it starts looking more like the pill can cause early abortions (which at this time their evidence is that it does not), it would not be morally acceptable.
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You might want to read the sheet that comes in your pills. Where it talks about preventing “implantation” - that IS an early abortion.
 
Yes the National Catholic Bioethics Center is aware of that and so am I, which is why when I got engaged I first stopped taking the pill. However what they have told me is that more recent scientific evidence indicates that it does not act as an abortifacient,which led them to change their position on the issue. I trust them. Although I’m willing to listen if anyone can give me a reason not to.

Here is the response I got:

We too have seen the recent scientific evidence that seems to indicate that these drugs do not have an abortifacient effect. The unlikeliness of that possibility has caused us to revise our manual for Catholic health care ethics committees. Although the evidence against such a possibility is not absolute, the Church has never required absolute certitude in morals, even when dealing with issues of life. We need only have moral certitude, which is a reasonable conviction based on the best-available scientific evidence.

In view of the most recent scientific information, I would advise you to continue to use the drug that you have been prescribed. It is taken for a legitimate and important medical reason. This would appear to be a morally certain course.

You mention the principle of double-effect, but I don’t think that would apply. The bad effect (death of a child) is not outweighed by the good effect (regulating the cycle). But as things stand, it looks like that bad effect is very unlikely, and perhaps even non-existent.

We continue to reflect on this issue here. You might check back at our website from time to time.
 
Christine_Lee said:
I’m single and celibate (for now) and I use the pill. I use it because I have a very irregular cycle and it helps to regulate it. I have come to the realization that I will have to use NFP when I do marry and just deal with my irregualr cycle. But till then, is it all right since I’m not engaging in any form of sex?
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it is all right at anytime to take the pill if it is prescribed to treat a medical condition, and not for contraception. Whether it is wise or prudent is another matter. Preventing pregnancy is an unwanted side effect. you will find good links on these discussions to doctors willing to look beyond the symptoms and get a good diagnosis for you, that treats the underlying condition, rather than just some of the symptoms, w/o the harmful side effects of the pill. No, if you were married, you would not be required to abstain during fertile periods if you were taking the pill to treat a medical condition.

This question has been answered several times, have you had a chance yet to review those discussions?
 
My daughter has been charting her periods for about 18 months. She is almost 22 years old and entered premature puberty at age 9 - her first period arrived at that age and she developed at an alarming rate physically. She has been on the pill for about 7 or 8 years now to attempt to control the irregularity and mind-blowing flow of her periods. She has undergone several surgical procedures to determine whether or not her ovaries, tubes, uterus or any other part of her reproductive anatomy is in a condition which can explain this maddening situation. The pill barely regulates the pain and heavy flow of her periods, but it does help to a minimal degree, which she welcomes; however, she will have one period which is followed 18 days later by another, which in turn is followed 80 (yes, eighty) days later by another, and so on. It has been this way for her ever since she had her first period. Put yourself in her shoes and tell me how this is just a simple inconvenience.

It would be greatly appreciated if those who are proponents of NFP could try to understand that not every woman is an ignorant child who does not have the time or patience to track her fertility. My daughter has worked in the field of gynecology for four years and she knows the drill. She would not benefit from NFP if she were sexually active, which she is not.

Which brings me to this question: if a woman uses birth control pills to manage difficult, painful and irregular periods, and she is raped, would her using the pill be considered a sin?

marietta
 
marietta said:
Which brings me to this question: if a woman uses birth control pills to manage difficult, painful and irregular periods, and she is raped, would her using the pill be considered a sin?

marietta
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No. Sin is an intent to do wrong. Since the woman would not intend to be raped, it is not a sin to be on the pill.
 
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