Is Birth Control Pill okay for VALID Medical (non-contraception) Reasons?

[maryjk]

Although the Church says it is wrong to use artificial birth control, including the pill, would it be acceptable in this scenario:

A woman has a health concern that causes excessively long and excessively heavy periods. So excessive that there are concerns about physical weakness, blood loss, hemorrhaging and other problems. To have better control of her periods, doctors prescribe the birth control pill. Even without the birth control pill, the woman’s fertility may be in question. The woman may or may not be sexually active.

After two doctors recommended the pill, I went to a third doctor.

The 3rd doctor is an NFP only GYN. She recommended a different solution. One that doesn’t include taking potentially lethal medication. (Lethal to a baby.) It works. I am no longer anemic.

So would it be acceptable? It wasn’t to me. So I looked for other options. It took seeing three doctors, but I ended up with a doctor that shares my values.

 

[Reng]

Ironically my hormone irregularities are causing me to be infertile so my doctors recommended that I use birth control for three months to regulate my hormones and the problems they’re causing so that I will eventually be able to have children. So- I’m taking birth control because I want to have children- not because I want to avoid having children- I am married so as far as navigating sex while on birth control- I plan to speak to an NFP specialist to make sure my husband and I are practicing our faith in accordance with the church.

Just something to think about…

 

[Castello]

Ironically my hormone irregularities are causing me to be infertile so my doctors recommended that I use birth control for three months to regulate my hormones and the problems they’re causing so that I will eventually be able to have children. So- I’m taking birth control because I want to have children- not because I want to avoid having children- I am married so as far as navigating sex while on birth control- I plan to speak to an NFP specialist to make sure my husband and I are practicing our faith in accordance with the church.

Just something to think about…

Contact the Pope Paul Institute

popepaulvi.com/

 

[casey_zia]

…so my doctors recommended that I use birth control for three months to regulate my hormones and the problems they’re causing so that I will eventually be able to have children.

Birth control pills don’t regulate your hormones. They infuse your body with synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin), which has an effect on the pituitary gland in your brain, so that the hormones that would normally stimulate ovulation are suppressed. Rather than “regulating hormones”, BCPs cause a severe disturbance in your normal cycle. Your hormones are shut down. The bleeding at the end of the cycle is also manipulated by the withdrawal of hormones in the medication, and is not true menstruation.

If you are experiencing hormonal irregularities and would like to address infertility, “the Pill” is not your answer. A good physician will treat the patient, not the symptoms, and will go the extra mile to find out what the problem is. You deserve good medical treatment to get answers for your health concerns.

 

[threeeight]

Besides risk of anemia, some woman experience ovarian cysts which create extreme, even crippling discomfort, and can quickly turn life threatening. I began hormonal therapy/ taking birth control in my late teens after an ovarian cyst ruptured and caused serious internal bleeding. After hours of extreme pain and passing out several times, I had to undergo emergency surgery. Doctors had to remove over a pint of blood from my abdomen. After the surgery, the doctor strongly recommended the use of birth control in order to greatly reduce my chances of another dangerous cyst, especially after noticing scar tissue around my ovaries from previous cysts.

I have experienced pain during my periods since I was a young girl, but growing up with strict Catholic parents, the option of birth control for regulation was out of the question until that life threatening experience (my parents STILL debated the issue for a week after my surgery before giving in for the sake of my health) . My mother dealt with pain from ovarian cysts throughout her life, and knew early on that that was where my pain was coming from. It saddens me that birth control is so shamed by the Church even though it can make such a positive difference in the health of women like myself and my mother. Instead we are forced to look at it as an absolute last resort for only the most “extreme” cases. It is simply unfair and ignorant of what women experience.

 

[Listener]

Besides risk of anemia, some woman experience ovarian cysts which create extreme, even crippling discomfort, and can quickly turn life threatening. I began hormonal therapy/ taking birth control in my late teens after an ovarian cyst ruptured and caused serious internal bleeding. After hours of extreme pain and passing out several times, I had to undergo emergency surgery. Doctors had to remove over a pint of blood from my abdomen. After the surgery, the doctor strongly recommended the use of birth control in order to greatly reduce my chances of another dangerous cyst, especially after noticing scar tissue around my ovaries from previous cysts.

I have experienced pain during my periods since I was a young girl, but growing up with strict Catholic parents, the option of birth control for regulation was out of the question until that life threatening experience (my parents STILL debated the issue for a week after my surgery before giving in for the sake of my health) . My mother dealt with pain from ovarian cysts throughout her life, and knew early on that that was where my pain was coming from. It saddens me that birth control is so shamed by the Church even though it can make such a positive difference in the health of women like myself and my mother. Instead we are forced to look at it as an absolute last resort for only the most “extreme” cases. It is simply unfair and ignorant of what women experience.

I totally agree. I ended up with a hysterectomy because of severe pain and bleeding. Yes, the pill gives you fake periods. However, it does give your body a rest from the blood loss and pain. A woman who wants children can quit the pill and have some children. A woman who has a hysterectomy doesn’t have that choice. Years ago, before the pill was invented, hysterectomy was the only cure. Now, we have more choices because of the advancement of medical science.

 

[underacloud]

As 1ke addressed, there are different schools of thought regarding whether a married couple need abstain from sex if the wife is using potentially abortifacient hormonal treatment.

From Ask an Apologist here, Fr Serpa provides the following advice:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4618

In each case there is the difficult challenge of weighing the proportionality of the good effect of treatment with any potential bad effect. This is a complex task for any couple to work through, based on sound medical advice and understanding of the moral issues.

 

[Lisa_De_Ruyter]

NO,…Today people are being proscribed contraception from doctors for just about anything… acne, cysts that need to be removed to be cured, heavy bleeding to be controlled etc… …The USCCB site says this: "Catholic teaching does not oppose the use of hormonal medications – such as those found in chemical contraceptives – for legitimate medical purposes, provided there is no contraceptive intent.

But artificial hormones typically treat only the medical symptoms. They do not CORRECT the underlying disease or condition. They also carry the same physical health risks as hormonal contraceptives.

Thankfully, with growing advancements in understanding fertility, knowledgeable gynecologists can often prescribe non-contraceptive drugs and recommend safer and healthier treatments to correct underlying problems or eliminate discomfort." usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/love-and-sexuality/index.cfm#medical

 

[Lisa_De_Ruyter]

and also Contraception’s do cause silent chemical abortions and Giana Molla rejected treatment that would harm her child…she is an example for all mothers considering contraception…which is chemical silent abortion…truly there are other non contraceptive drugs, as the bishops say above, that are healthier and will CORRECT these diseases and conditions etc…usccb.org/…/love-and-sexuality/index.cfm…

 

[thewanderer]

NO,…Today people are being proscribed contraception from doctors for just about anything… acne, cysts that need to be removed to be cured, heavy bleeding to be controlled etc… …The USCCB site says this: "Catholic teaching does not oppose the use of hormonal medications – such as those found in chemical contraceptives – for legitimate medical purposes, provided there is no contraceptive intent.

But artificial hormones typically treat only the medical symptoms. They do not CORRECT the underlying disease or condition. They also carry the same physical health risks as hormonal contraceptives.

Thankfully, with growing advancements in understanding fertility, knowledgeable gynecologists can often prescribe non-contraceptive drugs and recommend safer and healthier treatments to correct underlying problems or eliminate discomfort." usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/love-and-sexuality/index.cfm#medical

Just because the pill is prescribed when there are other solutions does not mean that it would be wrong to use it for legitimate health issues. As with any treatment of medical health issues you should make sure you find a doctor you trust, but if the pill is legitimately needed, then it is permitted. That is what Humanae Vitae clearly says.

and also Contraception’s do cause silent chemical abortions and Giana Molla rejected treatment that would harm her child…she is an example for all mothers considering contraception…which is chemical silent abortion…truly there are other non contraceptive drugs, as the bishops say above, that are healthier and will CORRECT these diseases and conditions etc…usccb.org/…/love-and-sexuality/index.cfm…

While I agree that those considering taking the pill for medical reasons (not contraceptive) should look at all the possible options available to them and discuss them with trusted health professionals, it is incorrect to say that hormonal medication taken for legitimate health reasons causes abortions. It can cause miscarriage, but not abortion. Abortion requires that the death of the child be intended. It is not immoral to take a medication which may increase your chance of miscarriage if you have a good reason to take the medication. Doing so does not mean that you are causing an abortion. As with all medication the side-effects need to be weighed against the benefits of the medicine. But that is a discussion to have with your doctor, not random people on the internet.

 

[Cojuanco]

Besides risk of anemia, some woman experience ovarian cysts which create extreme, even crippling discomfort, and can quickly turn life threatening. I began hormonal therapy/ taking birth control in my late teens after an ovarian cyst ruptured and caused serious internal bleeding. After hours of extreme pain and passing out several times, I had to undergo emergency surgery. Doctors had to remove over a pint of blood from my abdomen. After the surgery, the doctor strongly recommended the use of birth control in order to greatly reduce my chances of another dangerous cyst, especially after noticing scar tissue around my ovaries from previous cysts.

I have experienced pain during my periods since I was a young girl, but growing up with strict Catholic parents, the option of birth control for regulation was out of the question until that life threatening experience (my parents STILL debated the issue for a week after my surgery before giving in for the sake of my health) . My mother dealt with pain from ovarian cysts throughout her life, and knew early on that that was where my pain was coming from. It saddens me that birth control is so shamed by the Church even though it can make such a positive difference in the health of women like myself and my mother. Instead we are forced to look at it as an absolute last resort for only the most “extreme” cases. It is simply unfair and ignorant of what women experience.

Note that this is a common misstatement of what Holy Mother Church actually teaches. The object in controversy is a morally neutral object, no different than, for example, a firearm. Like a firearm, one can use it for legitimate purposes (say, to treat hormonal problems that cause great pain, like in your case); one could also use it for illegitimate purposes (as a means of artificial birth control). The Church denounces only the latter. The problem is that popular culture (to which even us Catholics are exposed to) stereotypes that particular medication as being for one purpose and one purpose only, the immoral purpose. That is not a problem with the Church, but of ignorance of people who think the Church requires what it does not require.

 

[lalaron]

Naturally, if this route of treatment was taken by a married woman she’d have to abstain from intercourse, because said intercourse would be contraceptive.

What if this woman or another woman who used this hormonal therapy for a similar reason was married but also practiced NFP, would that be okay?

 

[edwest2]

Although the Church says it is wrong to use artificial birth control, including the pill, would it be acceptable in this scenario:

A woman has a health concern that causes excessively long and excessively heavy periods. So excessive that there are concerns about physical weakness, blood loss, hemorrhaging and other problems. To have better control of her periods, doctors prescribe the birth control pill. Even without the birth control pill, the woman’s fertility may be in question. The woman may or may not be sexually active.

My initial response would be “yes, it would be okay” as we should look at the intention of the act instead of the act itself. To draw comparisons:

The Church opposes euthanasia or anything to done to intentionally speed up death. The administration of high doses of morphine to hasten death is not moral. But, if it is done to ease pain and the hastening of death is an undesired consequence, it is permissible.

The Church opposes the intentional killing of an unborn child. Surgery to kill the child, aka abortion, is not moral. Surgery on the mother, ie uterine cancer treatments, that happens have the death of the child as undesired and otherwise avoided consequence is permissible.

In this scenario, the birth control pill is taken for medical reasons with contraception (or the rare chance of a chemical abortion) being an undesired consequence.

Would my initial analysis of the issue and green light to the birth control pill in this scenario correct. The traditional leaning side of me, says “no.” So, before I make a final decision I want other people’s views

It is clear that the Church allows a pill normally used for contraception to be used for therapy related to an illness but in a case where contraception is not the goal.

However, there are medical practitioners who are offering good alternatives that do not involve using The Pill.

stlouisreview.com/article/2012-05-03/catholic-doctor

creightonmodel.com/

fertilitycare.org/

Peace,
Ed

 

[phillylawyer]

I see what you’re saying in light of the other posts: that it constitutes a valid treatment which happens to have the side effect of sterility, and is not a contraceptive act. However, I still worry about the abortifacient factor…

The science is not clear that the pill does, in fact, reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting, and thus increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage.

See, e.g., webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-pills

As a side note, some scientists talk about abortion as only terminating a “pregnancy,” which is defined as only occurring after implantation. For moral purposes, we should be concerned not just after implantation, but after fertilization.

Even if the pill did decrease the percent chance that a fertilized egg would implant in a uterine wall, I don’t think it’s entirely accurate to say that it “acts as an abortifacient.” Around 50% of fertilized embryos do not successfully implant. There are many things that increase or decrease this likelihood for a woman including exercise, diet, stress, etc. I don’t think any food or action that, unintentionally, reduces the chance of a fertilized embryo implanting in the uterine wall should necessarily be called an “abortifacient.”

I am in no way calling into question the Church’s clear teaching on the use of artificial contraceptives, or am I am dismissing this as an important matter. I just think, from a scientific perspective, things are a little more complicated than simple “pill = abortifacient.”

 

[thewanderer]

The science is not clear that the pill does, in fact, reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting, and thus increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage.

See, e.g., webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-pills

As a side note, some scientists talk about abortion as only terminating a “pregnancy,” which is defined as only occurring after implantation. For moral purposes, we should be concerned not just after implantation, but after fertilization.

Even if the pill did decrease the percent chance that a fertilized egg would implant in a uterine wall, I don’t think it’s entirely accurate to say that it “acts as an abortifacient.” Around 50% of fertilized embryos do not successfully implant. There are many things that increase or decrease this likelihood for a woman including exercise, diet, stress, etc. I don’t think any food or action that, unintentionally, reduces the chance of a fertilized embryo implanting in the uterine wall should necessarily be called an “abortifacient.”

I am in no way calling into question the Church’s clear teaching on the use of artificial contraceptives, or am I am dismissing this as an important matter. I just think, from a scientific perspective, things are a little more complicated than simple “pill = abortifacient.”

 

[Listener]

The science is not clear that the pill does, in fact, reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting, and thus increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage.

See, e.g., webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-pills

As a side note, some scientists talk about abortion as only terminating a “pregnancy,” which is defined as only occurring after implantation. For moral purposes, we should be concerned not just after implantation, but after fertilization.

Even if the pill did decrease the percent chance that a fertilized egg would implant in a uterine wall, I don’t think it’s entirely accurate to say that it “acts as an abortifacient.” Around 50% of fertilized embryos do not successfully implant. There are many things that increase or decrease this likelihood for a woman including exercise, diet, stress, etc. I don’t think any food or action that, unintentionally, reduces the chance of a fertilized embryo implanting in the uterine wall should necessarily be called an “abortifacient.”

I am in no way calling into question the Church’s clear teaching on the use of artificial contraceptives, or am I am dismissing this as an important matter. I just think, from a scientific perspective, things are a little more complicated than simple “pill = abortifacient.”

I agree with this post. I think there is a much greater chance of a fertilized egg failing to attach when you are NOT on the pill. This is because when you are on the pill, you are not ovulating at least 95% of the time. If you fell within the 5% who did ovulate, you would expect that 50% of these fertilized eggs wouldn’t make it, in the same way that 50% of all fertilized eggs fail to attach when you’re NOT on the pill. There are plenty of examples where a woman gets pregnant while on the pill and has a baby 9 months later.

As far as practicing NFP while on the pill, I believe that would be impossible, since you would not be ovulating. However, if you did have signs and symptoms that you might possibly be having breakthrough ovulation, then you could certainly abstain if you didn’t want to get pregnant.

 

[learningmyfaith]

Ironically my hormone irregularities are causing me to be infertile so my doctors recommended that I use birth control for three months to regulate my hormones and the problems they’re causing so that I will eventually be able to have children. So- I’m taking birth control because I want to have children- not because I want to avoid having children- I am married so as far as navigating sex while on birth control- I plan to speak to an NFP specialist to make sure my husband and I are practicing our faith in accordance with the church.

Just something to think about…

Let me know what they say, or what they said …I did what you did and it was successful…As soon as I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, I woudl take a bc pill pack for 2 months straight, etc…then have the brown pills, then back again…etc…I was able to conceive 2 -3months after stopping the pill…We have a healthy girl…But I would love to hear the answer about practicing faith when your on the pill for medical reasons, because Im hearing a lot of conflicting information…Very confusing…Also, if you are in your 40’s does God want us to still creat children?? IMO, I find it dangerous, and not really acceptable to have a child after 45…I assume you still have to use the NFP…I just dont agree with it, because I dont think its morally acceptable…I find the entire topic concerning procreation the only issue that is hard to accept in the Catholic faith…

 

[learningmyfaith]

Besides risk of anemia, some woman experience ovarian cysts which create extreme, even crippling discomfort, and can quickly turn life threatening. I began hormonal therapy/ taking birth control in my late teens after an ovarian cyst ruptured and caused serious internal bleeding. After hours of extreme pain and passing out several times, I had to undergo emergency surgery. Doctors had to remove over a pint of blood from my abdomen. After the surgery, the doctor strongly recommended the use of birth control in order to greatly reduce my chances of another dangerous cyst, especially after noticing scar tissue around my ovaries from previous cysts.

I have experienced pain during my periods since I was a young girl, but growing up with strict Catholic parents, the option of birth control for regulation was out of the question until that life threatening experience (my parents STILL debated the issue for a week after my surgery before giving in for the sake of my health) . My mother dealt with pain from ovarian cysts throughout her life, and knew early on that that was where my pain was coming from. It saddens me that birth control is so shamed by the Church even though it can make such a positive difference in the health of women like myself and my mother. Instead we are forced to look at it as an absolute last resort for only the most “extreme” cases. It is simply unfair and ignorant of what women experience.

I couldnt agree more…Actually because I was put on the pill, I totally think thats why I was able to conceive ourt daughter…By the time I was married, and ready for a child, Im sure the regrowth from my endometriosis could have caused me infertility.I also had to have surgery to remove growth, and had a large cyst…I was on the pill 5 yrs before I had my daughter…In a weird way, I think the Pill actually helped me to create life! A blessing from God for sure!!!

 

[thewanderer]

Let me know what they say, or what they said …I did what you did and it was successful…As soon as I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, I woudl take a bc pill pack for 2 months straight, etc…then have the brown pills, then back again…etc…I was able to conceive 2 -3months after stopping the pill…We have a healthy girl…But I would love to hear the answer about practicing faith when your on the pill for medical reasons, because Im hearing a lot of conflicting information…Very confusing…Also, if you are in your 40’s does God want us to still creat children?? IMO, I find it dangerous, and not really acceptable to have a child after 45…I assume you still have to use the NFP…I just dont agree with it, because I dont think its morally acceptable…I find the entire topic concerning procreation the only issue that is hard to accept in the Catholic faith…

Because the pill messes with your normal hormonal cycle by giving your body hormones that make it act as though it were pergnant, your body does not go through normal cycles that can be charted with NFP. Just thought you might like to know.

 

[learningmyfaith]

Because the pill messes with your normal hormonal cycle by giving your body hormones that make it act as though it were pergnant, your body does not go through normal cycles that can be charted with NFP. Just thought you might like to know.

Thanks so much for your help today!!! Yes. I know that I was just wondering for women in general…I think its awesome if someone can use NFP…I know it certainly helps when trying to conceive…Unfortunately, for women with the medical conditions, absent or really irregular periods, the NFP must be really hard…And of course it wont work While taking the Pill…