Most women don't know the chemical effects of contraception

[_Abyssinia]

I followed the link to the original article that the CNA article provided to see what source they were using for the abortion bit. Seems the original article was changed at some point as it now reads:

What a Woman Should Know about Birth Control

That is a very different statment and says nothing concrete about the pill and abortion. There is no consensus on the issue. What we do know is that it is possible to get pregnant on the pill as many women do. Is there solid evidence that abortions occur and that they are caused by the pill?

American association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynaecologists has an article up of which the following is an except from:

Included here are two papers, carefully researched and compiled by several members of the AAPLOG board (Birth Control Pill: Abortifacient and Contraceptive and Hormone Contraceptives Controversies and Clarifications). These papers come to different conclusions about the possible abortifacient effect of oral contraceptives, reflecting in a microcosm the controversy that has recently surrounded this issue in the larger pro-life community.

aaplog.org/position-and-papers/oral-contraceptive-controversy/

Aside from the moral issues of the use of contraception, the fact that there is some debate about whether the oral contraceptive pill can act abortifacient is surely another reason to err on the side of caution and not use it.

The oral contraceptive is not the only type of contraception of which there are different views among people about whether they can be abortifacient.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform says:

Many forms of birth control can be classified as abortifacients since they do not always prevent fertilization and in some instances work to destroy the life of a developing child.

abortionno.org/birth-control

 

[zz912]

Which is also the same group as wood shavings and tylenol.

Of course no one is encouraging people to inhale wood shavings every day or take Tylenol every day. In fact, there are measures taken and warnings made to prevent exactly that.

Oral contraceptives are the only Grade 1 carcinogen that is highly encouraged for people to regularly ingest.

 

[TCEL]

Of course no one is encouraging people to inhale wood shavings every day or take Tylenol every day. In fact, there are measures taken and warnings made to prevent exactly that.

Oral contraceptives are the only Grade 1 carcinogen that is highly encouraged for people to regularly ingest.

Good point. I can testify that my cycles were irregular because of a thyroid issue; so that issue has been addressed. I wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t been charting. I’m glad I have a pro-life doctor who was, and is, able to help me figure out what’s going on without defaulting to the pill.

 

[AnnieHall]

This is propaganda.

Actually I copied it word for word from the insert that comes with my birth control prescription. I quoted a post outlining some of the risks that are also listed, so I didn’t feel it was necessary to write all of that out.

I fail to see how this is propaganda though.

(edited to correct a typo)

 

[FollowChrist34]

Actually I copied it word for word from the insert that comes with my birth control prescription. I quoted a post outlining some of the risks that are also listed, so I didn’t feel it was necessary to write all of that out.

I fail to see how this is propaganda though.

(edited to correct a typo)

Oh, well, in that case, no worries.

 

[AnnieHall]

The risks and benefits depend on the formulation. Of course people are usually willing to take the risks of medication to fix something that’s broken. But, when people take drugs as a means to prevent a natural process (eg.taking exlax so you don’t get fat) they get medical treatment.

Point taken. And as I just mentioned in another post, that list I wrote out was word for word from a specific prescription insert.

While some people may not take the time to read through all the little print that comes with medications/prescriptions, I think that it’s not an issue limited to birth control pills. How many people for example have read through the whole booklet of information regarding their high blood pressure medication? Or even a simple bottle of over the counter headache medicine?
I would like to think that there are a fair number of people and women who do take the time to read all of that small print and dig in and do research on what they’re taking, whatever kind of medication it is. That’s my hope at least!

 

[AnnieHall]

Oh, well, in that case, no worries.

I wasn’t trying to say that there aren’t risks involved, because there are, there’s a whole section of them listed out, as was mentioned before I posted. And I am sure there are many many (way too many) women who aren’t fully aware of all of those risks. But those risks don’t negate that there are also some benefits and some positives that can also come from it. That’s basically what I was trying to say.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I wasn’t trying to say that there aren’t risks involved, because there are, there’s a whole section of them listed out, as was mentioned before I posted. And I am sure there are many many (way too many) women who aren’t fully aware of all of those risks. But those risks don’t negate that there are also some benefits and some positives that can also come from it. That’s basically what I was trying to say.

Fair enough - I agree each woman should decide this on her own. (I mean outside of the question of Catholic teaching. I think if you are Catholic, this teaching comes into play.) I do seriously believe there are risks, some significant, to taking birth control. I do not trust the media and corporations who manufacture birth control medications to be upfront about this for a variety of reasons. I think you have a responsibility to do some digging. But it is a free country - do as you will.

 

[Mulligan2]

Also…

-menstrual cycles may become more regular
-blood flow during menstruation may be lighter and less iron may be lost. Therefore, anemia due to iron deficiency is less likely to occur
-pain or other symptoms during menstruation may be encountered less frequently
-ectopic (tubal) pregnancy may occur less frequently
-noncancerous cysts or lumps in the breast may occur less frequently
-acute pelvic inflammatory disease may occur less frequently
-oral contraceptive use may provide some protection against developing two forms of cancer: cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the lining of the uterus.

All medications have risks and benefits.

Good post.

My hunch is that those opposed to birth control are quick to jump on any supposed negatives while at the same time ignoring or mitigating all of the positives.

I’m curious if they have similar propaganda regarding IUD’s and condoms.

 

[John_Matrix]

Mulligan2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnieHall

Also…

-menstrual cycles may become more regular
-blood flow during menstruation may be lighter and less iron may be lost. Therefore, anemia due to iron deficiency is less likely to occur
-pain or other symptoms during menstruation may be encountered less frequently
-ectopic (tubal) pregnancy may occur less frequently
-noncancerous cysts or lumps in the breast may occur less frequently
-acute pelvic inflammatory disease may occur less frequently
-oral contraceptive use may provide some protection against developing two forms of cancer: cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the lining of the uterus.

All medications have risks and benefits.

Good post.

My hunch is that those opposed to birth control are quick to jump on any supposed negatives while at the same time ignoring or mitigating all of the positives.

I’m curious if they have similar propaganda regarding IUD’s and condoms.

I suspect faithful Catholics don’t see the need to point out the positive with something illicit. Kind of like listing the pros and cons of manslaughter. But that’s just a hunch…

Posted from Catholic.com App for Android

 

[Mulligan2]

I suspect faithful Catholics don’t see the need to point out the positive with something illicit. Kind of like listing the pros and cons of manslaughter. But that’s just a hunch…

Posted from Catholic.com App for Android

Not a good analogy.

 

[Dawnia]

Point taken. And as I just mentioned in another post, that list I wrote out was word for word from a specific prescription insert.

While some people may not take the time to read through all the little print that comes with medications/prescriptions, I think that it’s not an issue limited to birth control pills. How many people for example have read through the whole booklet of information regarding their high blood pressure medication? Or even a simple bottle of over the counter headache medicine?
**I would like to think that there are a fair number of people and women who do take the time to read all of that small print and dig in and do research on what they’re taking, whatever kind of medication it is. That’s my hope at least! **

I think that’s just wishful thinking.

 

[Holly3278]

And this is why if I were in need of a reliable contraceptive method to delay a pregnancy, I would use a barrier method. I would also use natural family planning if there was a way to learn it without having to pay for classes. Thankfully barrier methods such as condoms come with instructions that are easy to understand.

 

[AnnieHall]

I suspect faithful Catholics don’t see the need to point out the positive with something illicit. Kind of like listing the pros and cons of manslaughter. But that’s just a hunch…

Posted from Catholic.com App for Android

While we’re calling this “birth control” and it’s obviously used by many women for that purpose, there are also quite a few women who are on it for other reasons - myself included. Honestly, I don’t have numbers (I kind of wish I did, as I’m now curious, but I have a suspicion that that’s not something that’s tracked/easily available to find even if it were tracked - reasons for going on the pill, that is), but I was surprised just from a small circle of friends how many of us use it to find relief from a number of issues unrelated to pregnancies/preventing pregnancies (mostly the first three that were listed in my first post on this thread),

Of course there are other options available, to me and to others, but I’ve done research, I’ve read the fine print, and I’ve tried other options that didn’t work as well for me personally. I am comfortable with my decision and grateful that I found something to help me through some rough symptoms.

It’s not always a matter of evil, baby killing pills. There are real, well documented, therapeutic effects involved as well, and nothing about that is against Church teaching, as far as I’m aware.

 

[Listener]

As a person who used to have periods from hell many years ago, I can swear on a stack of bibles:

While on the pill, I had no cramps whatsoever. Off the pill I was in bed all day and screaming in pain. While on the pill, I was as regular as clockwork. Off the pill it was very common for me to be several days late. Off the pill, I had huge clots. On the pill, I hardly realized that the scant flow was really a period. And finally, when I was off the pill, I always experienced pain when ovulating, along with the usual signs. While on the pill, I am 100% sure that I never ovulated.

I didn’t want to bother taking it for the rest of my life, so I had a hysterectomy.

The pill is a drug that is very useful for women with female problems. If they want another child, they can quit it long enough to have a baby. Women who have hysterectomies don’t have that option.

Women blessed with good health don’t realize how lucky they are.

 

[Viki63]

I sympathize with women who need to take the pill for health reasons aside from preventing pregnancy.
But would just like to mention that nowhere in all this information, good and bad, is there anything about the emotional effects of the pill.
I was on it for 10 years. I didn’t realize how much it was damping down my emotions, When I went off it, I was on an emotional roller coaster for – I don’t remember how long.
It also decreased my libido, which is reasonable considering it’s imitating pregnancy, as I understand.
I just think that women who have the luxury of a choice should consider all information, instead of everybody taking it like it was a multivitamin.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I sympathize with women who need to take the pill for health reasons aside from preventing pregnancy.
But would just like to mention that nowhere in all this information, good and bad, is there anything about the emotional effects of the pill.
I was on it for 10 years. I didn’t realize how much it was damping down my emotions, When I went off it, I was on an emotional roller coaster for – I don’t remember how long.
It also decreased my libido, which is reasonable considering it’s imitating pregnancy, as I understand.
I just think that women who have the luxury of a choice should consider all information, instead of everybody taking it like it was a multivitamin.

Yes, I have had a few rounds on birth control too, for contraception and other reasons. While on it, I felt flat-lined emotionally, libido-wise, everything. I did notice it - it wasn’t extreme but just didn’t feel right. Every time I got back off it (and finally made a firm decision to avoid it) I was very very happy. As for problems with the menstrual cycle, I have been lucky in that regard - I think a lot of these problems are often associated with wider health and stress-related issues. Simple things like good diet and sleeping (and silly things like green tea and eating plenty of organic vegetables, fruit and grains) fix these problems quite simply and effortlessly. Also regular moderate exercise - walking 30 minutes to an hour a day, yoga. Again, I am not a doctor - just offering what has worked for me.

 

[Kelt]

Yes, I have had a few rounds on birth control too, for contraception and other reasons. While on it, I felt flat-lined emotionally, libido-wise, everything. I did notice it - it wasn’t extreme but just didn’t feel right. Every time I got back off it (and finally made a firm decision to avoid it) I was very very happy. As for problems with the menstrual cycle, I have been lucky in that regard - I think a lot of these problems are often associated with wider health and stress-related issues. Simple things like good diet and sleeping (and silly things like green tea and eating plenty of organic vegetables, fruit and grains) fix these problems quite simply and effortlessly. Also regular moderate exercise - walking 30 minutes to an hour a day, yoga. Again, I am not a doctor - just offering what has worked for me.

Anyone who suffers from problems enough to warrant a hysterectomy will not have likely been cured by diet and green tea! Not simply and effortlessly! Yes we’re all different, as the posts illustrate. I had a good experience with the pill and felt wonderful! Libido - brilliant! I have been a lucky person.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Anyone who suffers from problems enough to warrant a hysterectomy will not have likely been cured by diet and green tea! Not simply and effortlessly! Yes we’re all different, as the posts illustrate. I had a good experience with the pill and felt wonderful! Libido - brilliant! I have been a lucky person.

Actually during a period of extremely heavy (regular) periods about 7 years ago my gynecologist put me on birth control and suggested I consider the option of a hysterectomy - if the problem couldn’t be resolved. I chose birth control which I discontinued after two months because of the above-mentioned “flat-lining”. As a rule I try to avoid unnecessary drugs or chemicals in my life, of any kind. The problem went away naturally in approximately 6 months. I, too, have been very lucky. And I don’t go to that clinic anymore.

 

[John_Matrix]

While we’re calling this “birth control” and it’s obviously used by many women for that purpose, there are also quite a few women who are on it for other reasons - myself included. Honestly, I don’t have numbers (I kind of wish I did, as I’m now curious, but I have a suspicion that that’s not something that’s tracked/easily available to find even if it were tracked - reasons for going on the pill, that is), but I was surprised just from a small circle of friends how many of us use it to find relief from a number of issues unrelated to pregnancies/preventing pregnancies (mostly the first three that were listed in my first post on this thread),

Of course there are other options available, to me and to others, but I’ve done research, I’ve read the fine print, and I’ve tried other options that didn’t work as well for me personally. I am comfortable with my decision and grateful that I found something to help me through some rough symptoms.

It’s not always a matter of evil, baby killing pills. There are real, well documented, therapeutic effects involved as well, and nothing about that is against Church teaching, as far as I’m aware.

For most of us, it is presumed when debating we are discussing illicit uses. No one denies Church teaching on medical uses. What is denied by many, like the poster who responded to me, is the Church’s authority on the matter.