Is it acceptable for an unmarried woman to go on the IUD?

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. Would it be acceptable for an unmarried and chaste woman to go on the IUD to prevent herself from having periods because periods are too painful or are just simply too annoying or would it be a sin to go on the IUD?

 

[puzzleannie]

she should get medical advice from her OB
the IUD does not prevent periods, and in some cases makes them heavier, it has side effects in the short and long term, and does not treat PMS or menstrual symptoms.
ask the doctor why it is being prescribed and be sure the get full info in side effects

 

[CWBetts]

Hi everyone. Would it be acceptable for an unmarried and chaste woman to go on the IUD to prevent herself from having periods because periods are too painful or are just simply too annoying or would it be a sin to go on the IUD?

You will probably discount my opinion because I am a man, but all forms of artificial contraception are gravely evil.

 

[Holly3278]

she should get medical advice from her OB
the IUD does not prevent periods, and in some cases makes them heavier, it has side effects in the short and long term, and does not treat PMS or menstrual symptoms.
ask the doctor why it is being prescribed and be sure the get full info in side effects

Well, basically I asked my doctor if I could get put on the IUD. I asked for a different reason than what I am putting on here but I heard that the Mirena IUD, the one that I am planning to get, reduces periods and can even eliminate periods. I was just wondering if it is acceptable to get the IUD for this purpose so long as I am not married and am being chaste?

You will probably discount my opinion because I am a man, but all forms of artificial contraception are gravely evil.

Actually, I don’t discount your opinion. But contraception is ok if for a therapeutic reason right?

 

[puzzleannie]

a woman considering this because of difficulty with periods should consult her doctor and find out alternatives that diagnose and treat the underlying problem, rather than using a drastic means, with grave side effects, to treat symptoms. this thread will be shut down if we start giving medical advice. Use of any contraceptive is gravely sinful if it is used to contracept. There are other medical reasons contraceptives are medically prescribed, and they can be morally used for that purpose, but most of those reasons can be addressed by better therapies with fewer side effects.

What is important to understand about any chemical or mechanical contraceptive, like the IUD, for someone who is sexually active, is that they can act by prevening implantation of an embryo, as well as acting by preventing fertilization, so in the former case the chemical or device actually is an abortificant.

some recent answers on AAA on this topic
forums.catholic-questions.org/search.php?searchid=2295090

 

[CWBetts]

Well, basically I asked my doctor if I could get put on the IUD. I asked for a different reason than what I am putting on here but I heard that the Mirena IUD, the one that I am planning to get, reduces periods and can even eliminate periods. I was just wondering if it is acceptable to get the IUD for this purpose so long as I am not married and am being chaste?

Actually, I don’t discount your opinion. But contraception is ok if for a therapeutic reason right?

I’d ask a priest

 

[Holly3278]

a woman considering this because of difficulty with periods should consult her doctor and find out alternatives that diagnose and treat the underlying problem, rather than using a drastic means, with grave side effects, to treat symptoms. this thread will be shut down if we start giving medical advice. Use of any contraceptive is gravely sinful if it is used to contracept. There are other medical reasons contraceptives are medically prescribed, and they can be morally used for that purpose, but most of those reasons can be addressed by better therapies with fewer side effects.

What is important to understand about any chemical or mechanical contraceptive, like the IUD, for someone who is sexually active, is that they can act by prevening implantation of an embryo, as well as acting by preventing fertilization, so in the former case the chemical or device actually is an abortificant.

some recent answers on AAA on this topic
forums.catholic-questions.org/search.php?searchid=2295090

Ok. It is my understanding that the use of contraceptives for therapeutic means such as this is acceptable. Am I correct?

I’d ask a priest

I will try to remember to ask my priest tomorrow.

 

[1ke]

I believe trying to supress periods because they are “annoying” is a sin against the Fifth Commandment. We are not to mutilate ourselves. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. God made women to bear life. Purposely harming your fertility with an IUD because you find menstruation to be ‘annoying’ is sinful, IMHO, based on what I have read of Church teaching.

 

[Holly3278]

I believe trying to supress periods because they are “annoying” is a sin against the Fifth Commandment. We are not to mutilate ourselves. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. God made women to bear life. Purposely harming your fertility with an IUD because you find menstruation to be ‘annoying’ is sinful, IMHO, based on what I have read of Church teaching.

Hmmm, ok. Thanks.

 

[KCT]

How might you feel later in life (i.e. when you’re married) if the IUD left your fertility impaired? Would convenience now be worth possible heartache later?

 

[Holly3278]

How might you feel later in life (i.e. when you’re married) if the IUD left your fertility impaired? Would convenience now be worth possible heartache later?

No, that wouldn’t be worth it but in all the years that this IUD has been used by people, it has not been known to cause fertility problems.

 

[LilyM]

IMHO it’s like taking painkillers to treat the pain of a broken leg without bothering to get the leg itself fixed so that the broken bone can set and heal properly. A bandaid solution that ignores the real problem.

Go see an ob/gyn or whatever other specialist may be necessary to find out why your periods are unusually painful or why you have PMS or whatever other bad effects you don’t like.

As for wanting out because they’re ‘annoying’ - well, to use a different analogy, would you cut off your ears because washing behind them was too annoying? Or pull out all your teeth because brushing them was too annoying? As part of being human we have to deal with these sorts of issues.

 

[Et_Cetera]

I’m not a Church authority, but I will give you my personal opinion: I think it’s fine.

 

[happymommy]

I would have to question if the health risks with using birth control are worse then the pain and being annoyed. There are a lot of side effects and risk with both an IUD and birth control pills. Is your pain that terrible? Do you have a medical condition that could be causing the pain? If so look into what needs to be done about it. I don’t think we should medicate ourselves just so we don’t have to bother having our period.

 

[Holly3278]

I would have to question if the health risks with using birth control are worse then the pain and being annoyed. There are a lot of side effects and risk with both an IUD and birth control pills. Is your pain that terrible? Do you have a medical condition that could be causing the pain? If so look into what needs to be done about it. I don’t think we should medicate ourselves just so we don’t have to bother having our period.

Well, I did ask a holy and orthodox priest in private about my situation. See, I went ahead and got the IUD while I was in a state of mortal sin. I had quit going to Mass and went ahead and got the IUD anyway. I regret it now but my priest told me that so long as I am chaste, there is nothing wrong with leaving the IUD in. So, I have trusted this priest’s advice.

Thank you everyone for your time anyway.

 

[kage_ar]

No, that wouldn’t be worth it but in all the years that this IUD has been used by people, it has not been known to cause fertility problems.

When you read the 3 page patient information (the consent form you signed would have stated that you had read that information), you will see the possible effects listed. PID can and does cause infertility, perforation of your uterus can cause infertility.

If you were my sister, friend or daughter, I would want you to find a good doctor who will help you manage your problems without putting your life or fertility at risk.

 

[Holly3278]

When you read the 3 page patient information (the consent form you signed would have stated that you had read that information), you will see the possible effects listed. PID can and does cause infertility, perforation of your uterus can cause infertility.

If you were my sister, friend or daughter, I would want you to find a good doctor who will help you manage your problems without putting your life or fertility at risk.

I understand this but the only Catholic gynecologists in my area do not accept Medicaid as insurance.

 

[puzzleannie]

No, that wouldn’t be worth it but in all the years that this IUD has been used by people, it has not been known to cause fertility problems.

if you believe that you have not read widely enough on this topic, or your advisors have not been completely honest with you. more research is indicated before you adopt a drastic means to deal with a symptom, without taking steps to uncover and treat the real causes of the symptom.

 

[kage_ar]

I understand this but the only Catholic gynecologists in my area do not accept Medicaid as insurance.

There are many good doctors out there who are not Catholic

 

[Jennifer_J]

Here’s a question for you…why do you keep posting the same question here?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=293018&highlight=iud

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=292093&highlight=iud

I only remember, because I posted on the closed thread.

Do you expect a different answer? The IUD seems to be a temptation for you to have relations with your “friend”. There are other ways to treat painful and troublesome periods that don’t involve devices that can harm your fertility.

I’ll pray for you and your discernment on this topic.