Self-touching for pain relief - serious question!

[BrickRoux]

Please note: I’m not trying to justify this, so angry responses are unnecessary. I’m just curious about the moral reasoning here!

An unmarried friend, a somewhat fallen-away Catholic, insists that touching herself to the point of release is the only way she can get herself out of a certain form of serious muscle pain without heavy-duty painkillers. (Our bigger argument is that the Church is too strict about these things, but that’s another story!) I do know that it really can relieve pain; it’s just a physiological thing, so that part is real. She says that as long as she undertakes the endeavor with the sole intention of pain relief and doesn’t think of anything impure (though I’m not sure how she manages that), it’s not a mortal sin because it falls under the principle of double-effect. I’m wary, though, because I know that in general, we have the principle that ends don’t justify means.

I get a little confused between those two principles, though, and this is one example of a case where I don’t quite get it. Please if you could clarify the difference in this case, I would appreciate it.

 

[pensmama87]

Please note: I’m not trying to justify this, so angry responses are unnecessary. I’m just curious about the moral reasoning here!

An unmarried friend, a somewhat fallen-away Catholic, insists that touching herself to the point of release is the only way she can get herself out of a certain form of serious muscle pain without heavy-duty painkillers. (Our bigger argument is that the Church is too strict about these things, but that’s another story!) I do know that it really can relieve pain; it’s just a physiological thing, so that part is real. She says that as long as she undertakes the endeavor with the sole intention of pain relief and doesn’t think of anything impure (though I’m not sure how she manages that), it’s not a mortal sin because it falls under the principle of double-effect. I’m wary, though, because I know that in general, we have the principle that ends don’t justify means.

I get a little confused between those two principles, though, and this is one example of a case where I don’t quite get it. Please if you could clarify the difference in this case, I would appreciate it.

Eh, I say it’s dicey. As you say, how on earth do you avoid thinking impure thoughts?

I don’t mean to minimize your friend’s pain, but whoa there are a lot of pain management strategies out there that don’t involve immoral activity. You are right that ends don’t justify means, and the means she are taking are intrinsically immoral.

I don’t think double effect applies because her intended ends are the pleasure/orgasm, because that’s what is relieving the pain. The orgasm is not the side effect, it’s the whole purpose of the thing. If she had to do some other sin to reach that endorphin rush, would that legitimize the behavior? (drugs, violence, etc.) “I had to do it so I could feel better” doesn’t justify a lot of things that are wrong, and your friend would probably agree with you about that.

You also mention that you have a standing disagreement with your friend over the Church being “too strict”. I suspect she’s interested in finding a “loophole” to justify herself and/or make Catholics look bad. Her insistence that this is the “only” way she can treat her pain is, to me at least, silly, even if her pain is seriously real.

You might get more nuanced responses on the theology of it on the Moral Theology forum.

 

[truetofaith]

Please note: I’m not trying to justify this, so angry responses are unnecessary. I’m just curious about the moral reasoning here!

An unmarried friend, a somewhat fallen-away Catholic, insists that touching herself to the point of release is the only way she can get herself out of a certain form of serious muscle pain without heavy-duty painkillers. (Our bigger argument is that the Church is too strict about these things, but that’s another story!) I do know that it really can relieve pain; it’s just a physiological thing, so that part is real. She says that as long as she undertakes the endeavor with the sole intention of pain relief and doesn’t think of anything impure (though I’m not sure how she manages that), it’s not a mortal sin because it falls under the principle of double-effect. I’m wary, though, because I know that in general, we have the principle that ends don’t justify means.

I get a little confused between those two principles, though, and this is one example of a case where I don’t quite get it. Please if you could clarify the difference in this case, I would appreciate it.

Now I’ve heard everything…

Cath. Ans. Forum is an occasion of sin. I’m through! uch: Adios!

 

[ProdglArchitect]

Yeah, I don’t buy it.

Masturbation releases chemicals into the brain which can dull the sensations of pain. That said, as soon as climax is achieved that chemical flood stops, which means that the pain comes back.

I mean… does any actually know of a type of pain that can only be reduced by masturbation? “Blue balls” is one thing, but that doesn’t generally happen unless a person has already been sexually stimulating themselves. (Or someone else has been doing it.)

 

[Convert_in_99]

As someone with TWO chronic pain disorders all my life, and mental health issues on top, this is totally unnecessary. There are other non sinful ways to cope. She needs a good medical doctor to help her cope, and possibly some counseling to get over the mental distress of enduring so much pain for so long.

 

[His_helpmeet]

As someone with TWO chronic pain disorders all my life, and mental health issues on top, this is totally unnecessary. There are other non sinful ways to cope. She needs a good medical doctor to help her cope, and possibly some counseling to get over the mental distress of enduring so much pain for so long.

Indeed. Medications, such as opioids, can provide her with relief without resorting to sin. Opioids work similarly to endorphins (hence the term “endorphin” - “endogenous morphine”). A good chronic pain doctor will be able to advise her on treatments appropriate for her situation. A good counsellor can assist her in managing the depression that often accompanies chronic pain. There are also some medications that can treat both chronic pain and depression.

 

[Chayla]

…I mean… does any actually know of a type of pain that can only be reduced by masturbation? “Blue balls” is one thing, but that doesn’t generally happen unless a person has already been sexually stimulating themselves. (Or someone else has been doing it.)

You asked, so here is the answer: menstrual cramps, and it is very effective with long-lasting result.

I’m not here to promote this “natural” remedy, just providing an honest reply to a question.

(And, I am a healthcare practitioner).

 

[pensmama87]

You asked, so here is the answer: menstrual cramps, and it is very effective with long-lasting result.

I’m not here to promote this “natural” remedy, just providing an honest reply to a question.

(And, I am a healthcare practitioner).

But it’s not the ONLY remedy.

Heat and OTC painkillers are also effective, and some women say dietary changes help too.

I’m not saying that sex wouldn’t help, but the idea that orgasm is the only remedy is laughable.

 

[Kelfa28]

The pain relief you would “experience” with an orgasm…would probably be the equivalent of ice or a heat pack to the afflicted area…it’s short term relief.
It isn’t even on par with an OTC like Tylenol or Motrin…which are specifically designed to relieve inflammation…which is pain within the muscles. It’s no where near any kind of “heavy-duty” pain medication. Not even close.

I really can’t see where the physiology behind her argument is. What can an orgasm actually do that an OTC can’t?
What can an orgasm do that other holistic forms of pain management can’t?

Sure…menstrual cramps can be helped by an orgasm…but it’s a temporary relief at best and OTCs will do so much more.

Anything heavier then that requires the services of a competent physician…usually just a OB or a general practitioner…who would laugh before recommending that one masturbate as a primary way to relieve pain.

If your friend is looking for a more holistic approach for pain relief…acupuncture can do wonders.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I recall an earlier topic where a poster kept claiming that this “natural method” can relieve migraines, and also argued that using a “natural method” was morally superior to becoming addicted to opiates. (Although AFAIK, pain medications meant specifically for migraine relief, such as sumatriptan, are not opiates.)

Anyway since medical advice is banned here, let me focus on the morality. As other posters have stated, the ends do not justify the means per Catholic thought, especially when there are other means available for relief of menstrual cramps. Most of the time these can be treated with OTC medications that certainly are not addictive.

Also, when people are in pain, focusing on how to masturbate might be difficult. Would it make it licit to have one’s significant other perform this service? Doubtful. (Unless of course one is married and the act is completed normally.)

 

[Elizium23]

2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. “Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.” “The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.” For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of “the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.”
To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.

Since this action is intrinsically and gravely disordered, the principle of double effect cannot apply. Rather, the principle to apply is “evil may not be done so that good can come about”.

 

[LongingSoul]

…it’s not a mortal sin because it falls under the principle of double-effect. I’m wary, though, because I know that in general, we have the principle that ends don’t justify means.

Double effect is only justified when the action is being applied directly to the condition and the bad side effect is consequential. Your friend is actually masturbating to cause an orgasm to relieve muscle pain. She can have the legitimate intention to relieve muscle pain but cannot perform an intrinsically evil action to achieve it no matter how ‘warranted’ the act seems.