Is it wrong to take pill to reduce sex drive?

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AnaTurin

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Hi, I’m wondering if it is wrong for me to take something to reduce my sex drive? I am tired of being like this all the time. I don’t want to feel rejected by my husband, and I don’t want to be bothering him all the time. I know that there are drugs that can do this, mostly anti-depressants (even though i’m not depressed) actually, this situation is starting to MAKE me depressed, so maybe it would be perfect…

I just have a difficult time concentrating on things I need to do. Maybe it wouldn’t be a sin necessarily, but I don’t know if it is a good idea or not. I need advice. Thanks
 
I suspect the best source of relief should be found in prayer for the times your husband is unwilling. It might also be helpful to ask advice from a priest or spiritual director.
 
I am no expert by any means but maybe you and your husband’s needs are different from each other. I would try to in a loving way try to discuss this with him-maybe also talk with a good doctor who can maybe help you without meds perhaps-maybe you just naturally have a stronger drive than your husband yet perhaps staying busy with other hobbies-maybe taking up martial arts or other activities may help with the situation a little. Sometimes staying active helps curb the drive a little-and with those with low drives-maybe your husband may be lacking a vitamin or something. There are many different ways to show love besides the marital relations part although that is so important, too. We all want and need to feel so desirable-yet there could be many factors involved here. Communication may be a good start with your husband-I think meds unless for medical reasons should be the last resort. I will keep you in my prayers…hugs…
 
AnaTurin said:
Hi, I’m wondering if it is wrong for me to take something to reduce my sex drive? I am tired of being like this all the time. I don’t want to feel rejected by my husband, and I don’t want to be bothering him all the time. I know that there are drugs that can do this, mostly anti-depressants (even though i’m not depressed) actually, this situation is starting to MAKE me depressed, so maybe it would be perfect…

I just have a difficult time concentrating on things I need to do. Maybe it wouldn’t be a sin necessarily, but I don’t know if it is a good idea or not. I need advice. Thanks
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Yes, it is wrong to do so.

You do not have a disease or defect. That is not the purpose of the hormones. What you do need to do is communicate with your husband and practice the virtues of temperance, fortitude, and chastity.
 
There are obviously some background issues here, but I won’t comment on those as you deserve a simple answer to your simple question.
Is it wrong to take pill to reduce sex drive?
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IMHO it is not wrong (see the argument below), however this is a specific question of moral theology, so to get a specific answer (ie. right, wrong, or undecided) I recommend that you consult your priest, or find an authoritative Church guideline - and, as far as I know, there is no such guideline.

This is why I think it is not wrong: one is, in general, permitted to take prescribed medication, on doctor’s advice, to alter one’s mood and behaviour (eg. stimulants, sedatives, sleeping tablets, anti-depressants, etc., etc.). Particular cases may be “wrong”, but in those cases the exception would have to be argued.
 
1ke said:
Yes, it is wrong to do so.

You do not have a disease or defect. That is not the purpose of the hormones. What you do need to do is communicate with your husband and practice the virtues of temperance, fortitude, and chastity.
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I am not certain (I speak this by way of speculation, not command): if the original poster does have a disease or defect, such as hyperactive sexual desire disorder (“nymphomania”), which can be purely psychological, I believe it may be permissible. I am certain it is permissible if there is a hormonal problem itself, in that the HSDD is caused by chemical imbalance.

If, however, the difference is only that the wife wants more marital relations than the husband, but the wife’s desire is within normal tolerances (although I’m not sure I’d trust a physician to determine this today, seeing as how some consider “once a day” to be within “reasonable bounds”), or the husband has an exceptionally low sex-drive or desire for marital relations (like I myself do, and this will sometimes be termed “hypoactive sexual desire disorder”), it would be wrong, for you would have no disease or defect.

The morality, I believe, rests on the assumption or demonstration of disease or defect (a technical term in canon law, much like “null and void” is in secular law).
 
Khalid said:
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The morality, I believe, rests on the assumption or demonstration of disease or defect (a technical term in canon law, much like “null and void” is in secular law).
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You make a good point, as did 1ke with a similar position, however I am not sure that this is the essence of the “moral” issue here, in the sense of whether it is “sinful” to take the medication. In my opinion, if one wants to reduce one’s sex drive, and the doctor agrees to prescribe the medication, then there is no sin, even without demonstration of a disease or defect.
 
My advice would be to switch husbands to a millionaire Catholic guuy who has tons of nannies so the number of kids isn’t a problem and you dont have to hold anything back or take your temperature and stuff all the time thats such a pain.
 
Edmundus1581 said:
You make a good point, as did 1ke with a similar position, however I am not sure that this is the essence of the “moral” issue here, in the sense of whether it is “sinful” to take the medication. In my opinion, if one wants to reduce one’s sex drive, and the doctor agrees to prescribe the medication, then there is no sin, even without demonstration of a disease or defect.
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Ok, outside of the highly unlikely scenario of a bona fide diagnosed psychological disorder or a bona fide hormonal disorder diagnosed legitimately by a doctor, what this comes down to is NOT medicating something to make it “go away”. It comes down to virtue.

St. Paul tells us we must train our wills, like an athlete trains his body (1 Cor 9:27, 1 Tim 4:7-8 for examle). This includes striving to live the virtues, and embracing our crosses for our own sanctification and that of others.
 
SnakeMauler said:
My advice would be to switch husbands to a millionaire Catholic guuy who has tons of nannies so the number of kids isn’t a problem and you dont have to hold anything back or take your temperature and stuff all the time thats such a pain.
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What?? Switch husbands? How can you even joke about that?

Besides, I can’t get pregnant, so I don’t take my temperature and “stuff”.
 
1ke said:
Ok, outside of the highly unlikely scenario of a bona fide diagnosed psychological disorder or a bona fide hormonal disorder diagnosed legitimately by a doctor, what this comes down to is NOT medicating something to make it “go away”. It comes down to virtue.

St. Paul tells us we must train our wills, like an athlete trains his body (1 Cor 9:27, 1 Tim 4:7-8 for examle). This includes striving to live the virtues, and embracing our crosses for our own sanctification and that of others.
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I’m 100% sure it is hormonal. I know this because there are specific times in the month when I don’t have this problem. Unfortunately it’s only a few days.
 
I would communicate to your husband that he made a vow to you and he is withholding part of himself which is a sin according to my understanding. Just my 2 cents.
 
AnaTurin said:
I’m 100% sure it is hormonal. I know this because there are specific times in the month when I don’t have this problem. Unfortunately it’s only a few days.
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Have you already spoken to your doctor about this? I don’t know that doctors prescribe antidepressants for that specific side effect. Usually it’s one of the known side effects that people on the medication have to deal with, not something that the pill is prescribed for. People who take anti-depressants without needing them for depression risk other side effects such as euphoria, suicide ideation, etc. I would not consider this unless you have talked to your doctor in depth about it.
 
Very few of us escape suffering no matter the form.
I am from the old school.
Try this, offer it in union with Christ for the suffering of sin in the world. Offer it up for the healing of others , you will be healed. Peace, Carlan
 
Try this, tell your husband the unreasonable refusal of sex is a mortal sin.
 
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