Is using "the pill" for health reasons ok?

[Jenni_Anne]

I have a medical condition which can only be controlled by a low-dose version of the contraceptive pill. I’ve been told this low-dose is not likely to prevent pregnancy, though it can. The condition causes irregularity in my cycles as well making the NFP I’ve read about nearly impossible. Is it considered wrong to use this low-dose pill according to the church? Again, I was told by a doctor that this low-dose was not likely to actually act as a reliable contraceptive.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Humanae Vitae:

Lawful Therapeutic Means

15. On the other hand, the Church does not consider at all illicit the use of those therapeutic means necessary to cure bodily diseases, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result there from—provided such impediment is not directly intended for any motive whatsoever.

In Catholic moral theology there is a principle called “double effect.” In this principle it is stated that an action which has two effects (one good, one bad) is permissible if:

1. the act itself is not intrinsically wrong
2. the person acting intends only the good effect and would act otherwise if possible to avoid the bad effect
3. the good effect cannot be caused because of the bad effect
4. the good effect “outweighs” the bad effect

In the case of using the pill for medical/health purposes, it is generally seen as permissible under the above mentioned conditions for double effect. In the situation you describe, essentially what we need to ask is: if sexual activity was not taking place would the pill still be the best course of action? If yes, then it would appear that we have met the threshold for the principle of doubt effect:

1. taking any pill is not intrinsically wrong
2. the health of the person is what is intended to be treated here, contraception is not the intention
3. contraception is not the cause of the good health effect
4. this is more of a gray area, only you (in consultation with your doctor) can determine the severity of the consequences of not treating your condition with this method

So in summary, yes, the Church does permit the use of the birth control pill to treat medical/health issues provided that contraception is neither the intention nor means by which the good effect is achieved.

God bless.