Infertility Morality

[MedStudent]

In certain cases of infertility, there is a problem with a woman’s hormonal cycle where the egg is released too late and by the time it is fertilized her period has already started and it is possible that the embryo can be flushed out of her body with the rest of the endometrium. This can be fixed with hormone therapy and the woman can then conceive.
My question is:
What type of moral obligation does the woman have when she determines the nature of her infertility? Her body is essentially rejecting the very early pregnancy and causing a spontaneous abortion, so would she then be morally obligated to continue hormonal therapy even when she is not trying to conceive? Would it be morally objectionable she instead use the hormonal therapy only when she is trying to conceive and use her natural cycle as a form of contraception while recognizing that her embryos are perishing?

 

[1ke]

What type of moral obligation does the woman have when she determines the nature of her infertility?

None.

Her body is essentially rejecting the very early pregnancy and causing a spontaneous abortion, so would she then be morally obligated to continue hormonal therapy even when she is not trying to conceive?

No.

Would it be morally objectionable she instead use the hormonal therapy only when she is trying to conceive and use her natural cycle as a form of contraception while recognizing that her embryos are perishing?

Her natural cycle cannot be a form of contraception.

 

[Bookcat]

In certain cases of infertility, there is a problem with a woman’s hormonal cycle where the egg is released too late and by the time it is fertilized her period has already started and it is possible that the embryo can be flushed out of her body with the rest of the endometrium. This can be fixed with hormone therapy and the woman can then conceive.
My question is:
What type of moral obligation does the woman have when she determines the nature of her infertility? Her body is essentially rejecting the very early pregnancy and causing a spontaneous abortion, so would she then be morally obligated to continue hormonal therapy even when she is not trying to conceive? Would it be morally objectionable she instead use the hormonal therapy only when she is trying to conceive and use her natural cycle as a form of contraception while recognizing that her embryos are perishing?

Contact (especially since it is your occupation…remember them) the National Catholic Bioethics center in PA…ncbcenter.org/NetCommunity ask to speak with an ethicist. They will get into the details of this… (phone is at the bottom of the page)

as for the last part…she should *certainly * not “intend” that her children die etc

anyhow I want you to give them a call…so I will leave it at that for now (for they can give you a full answer …for your education )

(also for your knowledge…become aware of and perhaps involved with the Pope Paul VI instutute…they are the experts on infertility…)

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

In certain cases of infertility, there is a problem with a woman’s hormonal cycle where the egg is released too late and by the time it is fertilized her period has already started and it is possible that the embryo can be flushed out of her body with the rest of the endometrium. This can be fixed with hormone therapy and the woman can then conceive.
My question is:
What type of moral obligation does the woman have when she determines the nature of her infertility? Her body is essentially rejecting the very early pregnancy and causing a spontaneous abortion, so would she then be morally obligated to continue hormonal therapy even when she is not trying to conceive? Would it be morally objectionable she instead use the hormonal therapy only when she is trying to conceive and use her natural cycle as a form of contraception while recognizing that her embryos are perishing?

It isn’t that her egg is released too late, it’s that he period arrives too early, normally due to a low production of progesterone. Progesterone is needed to maintain the pregnancy.

I don’t think she is morally required to do anything, but she might physically feel better if she were to take progesterone. Low progesterone causes other medical symptoms as well, such as PMS and moodiness.