Therapy and Pills question,

[Maria1993]

Is using contraceptives for the purpose of hormone therapy a sin? NOT for contracepting, but for therapy.
I’ve been to a Doctor AND a specialist and they both agreed on this treatment, but only for a short period of time.
I am not active, nor ever had a boyfriend…I’m just a teenager with a question…

Thanks And God Bless.

 

[Richard320]

No.

 

[stephe1987]

1. No, it’s not against the Church teaching because you are not using it for the purpose of contraception.
2. There is almost always another solution that will actually solve the root of the problem (i.e. why do you need hormone therapy in the first place?) rather that force your body to have normal hormone levels by making you take a pill. I have heard of several Catholic doctors who haven’t prescribed the Pill in many years, or have never prescribed it at all.

I am glad that it’s only for a short time, though. The Pill was actually classified as a “group one carcinogen” in 2005 by the World Health Organization, along with cigarette smoking. Although this “fun” fact isn’t being brought to many people’s attention here in the USA because too much money will be lost if people stop taking the Pill. It has been linked to cancer, and also women who take the pill for a long time miscarry and/or take at least a year to get pregnant when they do want children. First they take the Pill and then wonder why they have all these infertility issues. Infertility is very common, and although cancer isn’t guaranteed (just like some people who smoke never develop lung cancer), the risk for cancer is increased.

 

[1ke]

Is using contraceptives for the purpose of hormone therapy a sin? NOT for contracepting, but for therapy.
I’ve been to a Doctor AND a specialist and they both agreed on this treatment, but only for a short period of time.
I am not active, nor ever had a boyfriend…I’m just a teenager with a question…

Thanks And God Bless.

*Contraception *is an action-- it is the act of having sex while trying to prevent pregnancy through a device, hormone, action or similar.

Hormone therapy is medicine for a disease. There are arguments for and against using the same hormones found in birth control pills for other purposes, but many doctors prescribe these types of treatments. If you want a second opinion from a doctor who does not use these methods, contact www.popepaulvi.com

The confusion comes in because you ask “is it ok to use contraception”? The answer to that is no, it is never moral to use contraception.

But, you are not “using contraception”. You are taking a medication. And, yes, it is moral to use a medication that has the side effect of temporary (or even permanent) sterility.

With such a treatment comes the temptation of having sexual relations knowing your reproductive system has been supressed. So, do be careful there and seek moral guidance from your priest if this becomes a concern.

There are some more complex levels to this question, it deals with what is known as the Principle of Double Effect. I suggest you read about that.

 

[Maria1993]

I see. Thanks everyone. I looked it up and it’s OK under Humanae Vitae 15. I’m not using it to contracept, I don’t plan on dating. But that is the treatment they agreed on. I don’t like taking them because they are contraceptives. I just will have Faith that everything will go good.

 

[RedSoxWife]

It’s not a sin to take it for the reasons you stated but… If they suggest you stay on it for very long (I know you said it was just a short time, but I had a doctor say I needed it and then add on time at the next appointment) you might want to find a NaPro doctor to get a second opinion (if this is a gynelogical issue). Just on a health level I have a problem with putting a Group 1 Carcinogen into my body (particularly for any length of time). There’s a link that talks about the pill more here. A lot of doctors seem to prescribe the pill, and while there are valid reasons, it’s good to check out all your options when you’re talking about drugs that studies have shown increase your risk of cancer drastically.

Prayers this all gets worked out and that you’re healthy!

 

[Geremia]

“The Pill” is very dangerous, being a World Health Organization (WHO) classified Class 1 carcinogen. Any doctor who prescribes that need to reassess the situation.

Find a NaPro doctor in your area here.

NaPro is very amazing. It’s more than just assessing fertility. It can do all these things (source):

• **Targeted hormone assessment of the menstrual cycle. **
• Sonographic classification of human ovulation disorders.
• Evaluation and treatment of premenstrual syndrome, postpartum depression, ovarian cysts, and unusual bleeding.
• Applications in infertility evaluation and treatment (and its effectiveness), osteoporosis, cancer detection, follicular and luteal phase deficiencies, and thyroid system dysfunction.
• Effects of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian dysfunction, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease, pelvic adhesive disease, amenorrhea, and anovulation.
• Perinatal applications: progesterone use during pregnancy, preventing preterm birth, evaluating and treating recurrent spontaneous abortion, and diagnostic laparoscopy.
• Surgical techniques for endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, uterine leiomyomata, ovarian wedge resection, and tubal occlusions.

NaPro can assess eversion or ectropion, a cervical erosion or cervicitis, with 75% accuracy. NaPro is also more effective than in virtro fertilization (IVF) for achieving pregnancy!