Question about Birth control (I am having postpartum depression)

[Roxygirl1488]

Is the use of birth control exceptable in a marriage if it helps stablize depressive symptoms so long as the married couple abstains while on it? Birth control being a quick temporary solution and not for long term use. I ask because I have very bad postpartum depression, I have 21 month old twins and a newborn, I was on birth control before I was engaged or married, not to prevent pregnancy but to balance hormones, I tried antidepressants in the past, many many different times since i was 16, and Im 26 now and the antidpressants never worked they just made the depression worse. I tried herbs and cognitive therapy but the only thing that seemed to work is the birth control. My husband just lost his job because my depression is so bad right now, we are staying with my parents to help us with the kids. I started my menstrual cycle at 9 1/2 years old and the severe depression began at 10. I just don’t know what to do anymore, I don’t have time to practice NFP with 3 kids under the age of three running around, right now only complete abstinece is going to work, and I am scared to even have sex with my husband even when we are able to learn NFP for the simple fact if I get pregnant any time soon I am going to end up in a looney bin. I greatly desire to follow the churches teachings and I am afraid that if I go on birth control to help with the depression I will be tempted to stay on it and turn away from the churches teachings. My parents want me to go on birth control and say “just go on it to help with your depression and try to abstain for a few years” I mean thats so unrealistic, not to mention a huge sin if I dont abstain while on it. I am just so distraught because the depression is so bad I can barely take care of my kids…I thought well maybe I could go on birth control right now, short term solution so I can get stable and abstain while on it, while searching for something else to help with the postpartum issues, but I always heard “Not avoiding an occasion of sin is a sin in itself” and im worried birth control to stablize my moods even if short term solution is considered that. Its also hard to get the help I need because I have no insurance, I just don’t know what to do because I feel suicidal at times it gets so bad.

 

[1ke]

Is the use of birth control exceptable in a marriage if it helps stablize depressive symptoms so long as the married couple abstains while on it?

If a doctor prescribes hormones in the form of “the pill” to treat your depression this is not against church teaching. One may receive legitimate medical treatment even if the side effect is temporary (or permanent) sterility.

My parents want me to go on birth control and say “just go on it to help with your depression and try to abstain for a few years” I mean thats so unrealistic, not to mention a huge sin if I dont abstain while on it.

You should seek the counsel of your priest. Under the principle of double effect, abstaining is not absolutely required if you are taking a medication such as “the pill” for a medical condition such as you describe.

I just don’t know what to do because I feel suicidal at times it gets so bad.

Please talk to your priest and to a mental health professional. You can get help even if you do not have insurance.

 

[Roxygirl1488]

How do I know its not against church teachings is there an article or something in the cathechism that will help me know im not commiting an intrinsicly evil sin by going on birth control for medical reasons?

 

[1ke]

How do I know its not against church teachings is there an article or something in the cathechism that will help me know im not commiting an intrinsicly evil sin by going on birth control for medical reasons?

From Humanae Vitae:

Lawful Therapeutic Means

1. 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.

 

[PeaceSerenity]

You really need to talk to your priest, if only to put your mind at rest about using birth control. I had to use birth control pills in order to reduce ovarian swelling, which really wasn’t as much as a problem as you seem to be having. Your priest will be able to give you spiritual guidance, advice on using the pill in a non-sinful manner, and maybe even help you with your depression.

 

[Roxygirl1488]

Thankyou, I guess I shouldnt have referred to it as “Birth Control” even though the pill is widely used for that.

 

[Roxygirl1488]

I posted a topic earlier about this and was told that if I take the pill for medical reasons, that it is not a sin since my intentions are to help with depression and its a last resort method and hopefully a temporary one, I have read to different website saying two different things and Humane Vitae makes no mention of the pill only says "5. 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. (19) "
I am completely confused…read this website catholicinsight.com/online/bioethics/article_908.shtml
and than this one
thecatholicletter.com/birth-control-abortion-article-subjects-40/100-the-catholic-birth-control-a-sex-faq

Please someone explain this to me, is it or is it now ok to use the pill for depression and before you answer please read my previous post if you havent

 

[1ke]

I posted a topic earlier about this and was told that if I take the pill for medical reasons, that it is not a sin since my intentions are to help with depression and its a last resort method and hopefully a temporary one, I have read to different website saying two different things and Humane Vitae makes no mention of the pill only says "5. 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. (19) "
I am completely confused…read this website catholicinsight.com/online/bioethics/article_908.shtml
and than this one
thecatholicletter.com/birth-control-abortion-article-subjects-40/100-the-catholic-birth-control-a-sex-faq

Please someone explain this to me, is it or is it now ok to use the pill for depression and before you answer please read my previous post if you havent

Both of these sites are talking about the immorality of using the pill for contraceptive purposes.

Neither of these sites talks about using hormonal pills for legitimate medical treatment which, as I have already stated, is moral.

The unintended, although foreseen side effects can be tolerated under the principle of double effect.

Please talk to your priest. You seem determined to find sin where there is none. And, please get some help from a mental health professional.

 

[Roxygirl1488]

I have a brother who has alot of problems with scrupulosity and he tends to rub off on me

 

[PbloPicasso]

Talk to your pastor. This is your best line of defense for making a mistake. CAF has many holier than thou folks, well meaning, but sometimes misguided, or self appointed sin police. Let your pastor, an officer of the Church, guide you through it. Take the burden off and let him help. That’s got to be the best advice anyone should be giving you. The rest is just conversation.

 

[sebrenab]

Try going to the Napro website-Creighton Model. I have had issues with depression related to my cycles and post partum. Using progesterone helped me a great deal without being contraceptive and made my cycles much more tolerable.

 

[novelista]

Please don’t let your PPD go untreated. You are under a ton of stress, with little children underfoot, living with parents, and a lost job. IMHO, It is not a sin to do what needs to be done to get healthy again.

I will pray for you.

 

[Roy5]

Do what is best for you that does not injure anyone else, as any Christian would want you to live as fulfilling a life as possible.

I wonder how many millions upon millions of married Catholics ignore the church teaching of birth control anyway, and how many have actually left the church because of it? I know there are no precise figures, but they say 30,000,000 Americans are ex-Catholics, and my guess that many left for that very reason. 

One can respect much that the church says and does and yet follow your own conscience in many situations. At least, I believe that. We are thinking adults and not children.

 

[baltobetsy]

Do what is best for you that does not injure anyone else, as any Christian would want you to live as fulfilling a life as possible.

I wonder how many millions upon millions of married Catholics ignore the church teaching of birth control anyway, and how many have actually left the church because of it? I know there are no precise figures, but they say 30,000,000 Americans are ex-Catholics, and my guess that many left for that very reason. 

One can respect much that the church says and does and yet follow your own conscience in many situations. At least, I believe that. We are thinking adults and not children.

This advice is not one bit helpful. The fact that so many Catholics choose to ignore the teaching of the Church does not make it the right thing to do. It makes that many Catholics wrong. Truth is not determined by a majority vote.

That said, there is nothing wrong with using a medication which has the side effect of temporary sterility, for a completely separate medical problem. As long as the contraceptive effect is not sought for itself, it is licit. Also, the Church does not require abstinence while using the medication.