Need a link debunking the positives of the pill

[SwizzleStick]

In all fairness, a few posts have broken rules…including the ones bordering offering medical advise. …

Yes, that is true. I would guess the thread will soon be closed as a result of the advice that could be taken as medical advice, but I really didn’t see any reason for the uncharitable posting.

…The women who posted to this thread are being treated by their doctors, and should discuss these matters with their doctors. And we all know, whether we agree or disagree with the method to treat the ailments listed, that the Church itself allows hormone therapy for threatment of them. So it’s really up to the patient, along with their doctor, to drive the decision making process of their healthcare…not strangers online who don’t agree.

Yes, true. With that being said, I think that if it is at all possible (I know it isn’t always possible), a Catholic woman should see an NFP-only doctor, who practices medicine following the teachings of the Church. That is why I just posted links to aid in finding such a doctor without much comment.

 

[Rence]

Yes, that is true. I would guess the thread will soon be closed as a result of the advice that could be taken as medical advice, but I really didn’t see any reason for the uncharitable posting.

Yes, true. With that being said, I think that if it is at all possible (I know it isn’t always possible), a Catholic woman should see an NFP-only doctor, who practices medicine following the teachings of the Church. That is why I just posted links to aid in finding such a doctor without much comment.

The Church doesn’t require that women go to NFP-only doctors. But it was a good idea to post the links. Those who want to go to NFP-only doctors should have access to the resources to make it possible for them.

 

[SwizzleStick]

The Church doesn’t require that women go to NFP-only doctors. …

True, though the Church does consider the use of hormones as contraception to be intrinsically evil. Also, I know some Catholics who would argue that a woman who uses such hormones for a medical need must also abstain from marital relations while using them, but that is a whole other thread. Also, I know some Catholics who would argue that NFP is sinful, that nobody should practice that either, but that too is a whole other thread.

…But, it was a good idea to post the links. Those who want to go to NFP-only doctors should have access to the resources to make it possible for them.

Thanks!

 

[Rence]

All true, though the Church does consider the use of hormones as contraception to be intrinsically evil. I know some Catholics who would argue that a woman who uses such hormones for a medical need must abstain from marital relations, but that is a whole other thread.

Right, some Catholics would argue with the Church that a woman who uses such hormones for a medical need must abstain from marital relations, but then there will always be people who argue with the Church regardless of whether they are conservative or liberal. Thankfully, that’s not something that the Church teaches, so those who are familiar with the Church teachings don’t have to worry about that

 

[SwizzleStick]

Right, some Catholics would argue with the Church that a woman who uses such hormones for a medical need must abstain from marital relations, but then there will always be people who argue with the Church regardless of whether they are conservative or liberal. Thankfully, that’s not something that the Church teaches, so those who are familiar with the Church teachings don’t have to worry about that

It seems so.

(BTW, it appears that while you were responding to me, I was editing and adding to my post at the same time.)

 

[mini_me640]

It is very important to separate “The Pill” as contraception from the same formula used for hormone therapy. The Church allows the hormones to be used for legitimate therapeutic purposes, so there is no reason to attack women who are taking it to treat medical issues, even if you might think there are better ways to treat them.

So now, talking about “The Pill” as contraception re: the OP’s post:

I generally think anything you try to use to convince a person that the pill is bad that is not a moral argument is probably not going to be very effective. The pill has effects that can be considered positive and negative (excluding the main effect of contraception): it lowers the risk of some cancers and increases the risk of others, etc. Basically if a person doesn’t either come to grips with contraception being immoral OR at least with the Pill being immoral due to the possible abortifacient effect, you aren’t going to effectively talk them out of using the pill in all likelihood. Sometimes the non-moral reasons that I have heard from Catholics in an attempt to get non-Catholics or non-practicing Catholics to stop using the pill are so inaccurate that they really weaken the whole anti-pill argument and make it look like we are grasping at straws. Before I came to accept the Church’s teaching on ABC, I was on the pill for 6 years. I remember listening to Catholic radio while I was still using ABC and hearing laughable arguments: the pill destroys women’s libido (mine was perfectly fine - having kids is what killed my libido LOL), the pill makes women gain weight (I had no trouble with my weight at all while I was on it), even that the pill makes many women permanently infertile (got pregnant on my first cycle off the pill). I’m not saying none of these things are ever true, but in my experience (and those of my friends) they are hardly typical. The only thing that made me swear off the pill was coming to truly understand Church teaching on sex and procreation. Period.

 

[underacloud]

I’ve never quite understood the need for some Catholics to argue against the Pill on a medical basis. The Church does not prohibit contraception because of any medical reason. The moral issues should be the basis for any Catholic’s position on this issue.

But if you want to debunk the positives of the Pill, a look at the lasting affects of the sexual revolution in western countries might be the place to start - including the decline in marriage and two parent familes, and the increased (not decreased) objectification of women. The Pill has not liberated women as promised; it has helped society in general become more enslaved by sex than ever.

 

[anthrogirl]

I apologize for offending anyone. I acknowledge that the poster who provided links to Advil and calcium supplement cures was ignorant of the condition. I should have recognized that the poster did not understand that we were talking about weeks (for me) and months (for my sister) of non-stop heavy bleeding that leave women anemic and often unable to work or function normally. This is a serious medical condition with no-known home remedies. I should have sought to explain the condition further instead of lashing out as I did.

It’s obvious from our discussion that the decision of birth control use should be left to the woman, God and her doctor. They are the only ones who know all the facts about her particular case. I know that God, my very Italian and Catholic doc and I make a good and righteous team. The discussion here made me angry and has taught me that it’s best to rely on my own relationship with God in making decisions. There is absolutely no need to seek out the advice and approval of others in a forum or anywhere else. The birth control issue is personal, emotional and very divisive as seen here. It’s consideration as a religious issue is not conducive to God’s message of love and acceptance of all without reservation. I was reserved and I apologize. I will no longer participate in this forum and hope that your further discussions are without conflict. God Bless.

 

[SwizzleStick]

I apologize for offending anyone. I acknowledge that the poster who provided links to Advil and calcium supplement cures was ignorant of the condition. I should have recognized that the poster did not understand that we were talking about weeks (for me) and months (for my sister) of non-stop heavy bleeding that leave women anemic and often unable to work or function normally. This is a serious medical condition with no-known home remedies. I should have sought to explain the condition further instead of lashing out as I did.

It’s obvious from our discussion that the decision of birth control use should be left to the woman, God and her doctor. They are the only ones who know all the facts about her particular case. I know that God, my very Italian and Catholic doc and I make a good and righteous team. The discussion here made me angry and has taught me that it’s best to rely on my own relationship with God in making decisions. There is absolutely no need to seek out the advice and approval of others in a forum or anywhere else. The birth control issue is personal, emotional and very divisive as seen here. It’s consideration as a religious issue is not conducive to God’s message of love and acceptance of all without reservation. I was reserved and I apologize. I will no longer participate in this forum and hope that your further discussions are without conflict. God Bless.

Thanks for the apology. It is happily accepted on my part. New posters sometimes don’t know the rules here at CAF, so misunderstandings occur.

CAF is a great place for discussion, so stay and participate. Some topics are rather emotional so you can be sure there will be future conflict , but it really is a great place for charitable discussion.

God bless you too!

 

[buffalo]

In all fairness, a few posts have broken rules…including the ones bordering offering medical advise. The women who posted to this thread are being treated by their doctors, and should discuss these matters with their doctors. And we all know, whether we agree or disagree with the method to treat the ailments listed, that the Church itself allows hormone therapy for threatment of them. So it’s really up to the patient, along with their doctor, to drive the decision making process of their healthcare…not strangers online who don’t agree.

Most mainstream doctors prescribe the pill for these situations. Discussing it with your doctor is fine however seeking a second opinion is good advice. If you are Catholic seeking the advice of a Catholic doctor is good advice too.

The reason for my link was to simply open peoples minds to other possibilities.

 

[Listener]

I’m not sure why you would want to debunk the positives of the pill.

If my memory serves me correctly, the pill was invented by a Dr. John Rock, a devout Catholic. The pill is not evil in itself. It is a combination of hormones that can help certain female problems.

Women who have severe pain and/or bleeding can take the pill and have their symptoms go away. Some people say that this is just “masking” the underlying problem. Well, maybe it is. All pills have potentially dangerous side effects.

Personally, I didn’t want to go on it for more than 20 years, so I had a hysterectomy. This solved the underlying problem. Unfortunately, in many women, if you want to solve the underlying problem, hysterectomy or perhaps uterine ablation, will be the final answer.

Meanwhile, if you don’t consider your family complete, you can solve your medical problems by going on the pill until you’re ready to have another child.

Invention of the pill was a great blessing from God, along with things like the discovery of penicillin.

 

[CopticChristian]

Hormonal contraception reduces rates of ovarian cancer, and could possibly increase chances of breast cancer. Breast cancer is easier to screen for, diagnose, and treat early. I’d rather take my chances with breast than ovarian cancer.

Sapph,

Hormonal control also increases the incidence of stroke. I have seen a 20 year old stroked out from hormonal control. Not a pretty sight.

 

[AthenaC]

Sapph,

Hormonal control also increases the incidence of stroke. I have seen a 20 year old stroked out from hormonal control. Not a pretty sight.

Indeed. So, just like literally any vitamin / medicine on the market (both prescription and OTC), there are positives and negatives, which will impact each individual’s personal chemical cocktail differently. There is always a cost / benefit analysis involving:

1. What do I need to treat?
2. How badly do I need to treat it?
3. What are the risks associated with what I am putting in my body/
4. What is the likelihood that the risks are greater / less for me than for the average person?

The above thoughts apply to everything from a cough drop to iron supplements to birth control pills to chemotherapy.

 

[CopticChristian]

Indeed. So, just like literally any vitamin / medicine on the market (both prescription and OTC), there are positives and negatives, which will impact each individual’s personal chemical cocktail differently. There is always a cost / benefit analysis involving:

1. What do I need to treat?
2. How badly do I need to treat it?
3. What are the risks associated with what I am putting in my body/
4. What is the likelihood that the risks are greater / less for me than for the average person?

The above thoughts apply to everything from a cough drop to iron supplements to birth control pills to chemotherapy.

Athena,

I would reframe this as …

What is it I am being treated for…

How badly do I need the treatment…

What are the risks and benefits of the treatment…

Do I understand the risks and benefits and do the benefits outweigh the risks…

Have I given an informed consent to the treatment that is proscribed…

When utilizing OTC, Herbs, etc…then the issues are

Safety, necessity, risks and benefits and do the benefits outweigh the risks…