Using the birth control pill for health reasons?

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Therana

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Sometimes the birth control pill is prescribed for conditions that have nothing to do with contraception, like Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (not to be confused with PMS) or other hormonal problems. Two questions:
  1. Would it be a sin for a Catholic to take the pill because of health issues, not for contraceptive purposes?
  2. I’ve heard this used as an argument in favor of the HHS contraception mandate, saying that since some women use the pill to treat legitimate medical problems, it is only reasonable to expect insurance companies to provide it for them. How does a Catholic respond to this?
 
Therana said:
  1. I’ve heard this used as an argument in favor of the HHS contraception mandate, saying that since some women use the pill to treat legitimate medical problems, it is only reasonable to expect insurance companies to provide it for them. How does a Catholic respond to this?
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The simple fact that Obama’s plan is called a “contraception” mandate implies that the pill is not going to be used for the sole purpose that you’re describing above. The intent of the mandate is to provide free contraception to women not to address hormonal problems (and as we know with morality, intention is always the key and the ends never justify the means 🙂 )
 
vatican.va/holy_father/pa…-vitae_en.html
Encyclical Letter HUMANAE VITAE of the Supreme Pontiff PAUL VI

Lawful Therapeutic Means
15. 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)

How this relates in your situation should be discussed with your priest.
 
Therana said:
Sometimes the birth control pill is prescribed for conditions that have nothing to do with contraception, like Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (not to be confused with PMS) or other hormonal problems.
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The long and short of it is that if it is being used for medicinal purposes, it is medicine, not birth control. Obviously, it will also will have the side effect of birth control, but that is not its primary purpose.

The same can be true of many other things. Marathon running can have the same effect, in that it can cause some woman to stop having periods. However, marathon running isn’t banned because it has such a side effect.
 
Thanks friends, that makes a lot of sense. Fortunately, I don’t have such a problem myself, I was just curious. If I was, I would probably be seeking alternatives to the pill, even if I wasn’t Catholic, because I’m uncomfortable with the side effects (and I have been on a lot of prescription drugs).
 
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