Using "the pill" for medical reasons?

[DarkLight]

The Church does not teach this; the above statement is incorrect.

If a medication is used for a non-sterilization purpose but has sterilization as an unintended consequence, then it may be taken, and no, one need not abstain while on it.

See Humanae Vitae: "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) "

Abstinence when using those therapeutic means is not required, or else Pope Paul VI would have said so. If it were, there would be similar teachings about men who are required to spend time in hot tubs as part of physical therapy.

This is correct - the church has never taught that the use of such pills for therapeutic reasons means that someone must be abstinent. After all the church will marry anyone who is able to complete the sex act, even those who are entirely unable to have children, whether due to natural defect or the result of treatment.

 

[underacloud]

Ok I’m going to give you the correct answer and you can search for one that suits your will or you can except this one which is in line with the Church.
YES you can use the pill for medical use
NO you can’t have sex while your on it, you must be abstinent.

This is incorrect and has been repeatedly rejected by apologists on this very forum, such as in the link I previously posted:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4618

 

[phillylawyer]

Hey guys.

I’ve been reading about using the pill for medical reasons and from what I can gather, it’s acceptable but only if the reasons are pretty serious. If women’s health issues make you uncomfortable, don’t read on.

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I’ve recently been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This means:

-ovaries are full of cysts that can potentially turn cancerous
-if cysts rupture, it will be painful & hospital treatment will be required

• increased chance of diabetes and heart attack down the track
• increased chance of endometrial cancer
• increased chance of miscarriage

My periods at the moment are also so painful that I sometimes need to take a couple days off work.

I want to know if this is serious enough to justify going on “the pill” for medical reasons. There is no known cure for this condition yet; it can only be alleviated by taking hormonal therapy and the thing that seems to work best and has been recommended to me is the pill.

I will look into other treatments as well but nothing I’ve seen so far seem to deal with this as well as the pill would. I really want to go on the pill as soon as possible so I can stop worrying about this but my mother is unsupportive and I need to know if she’s right about this being a morally questionable thing to do, as I do plan to have sex in the future and there is that possibility of the pill preventing implantation.

The bottom line is that it is not immoral to take hormonal supplement (the “pill”) for non-contraceptive reasons. But, talk to your priest to discuss.

As for the question of whether or not taking them is correlated with an increase in other negative side effects or diseases, would you rather take advice from anonymous online commentators or your doctor?

 

[Listener]

Using the pill for medical reasons is perfectly fine. You will see that if you read Father Serpa’s answers in Ask an Apologist.

People here always seem to recommend a doctor called a Napro specialist. I think that’s just fine if you have the money and they can do something for you.

Getting back to reality, not everyone is rolling in money. Some people can’t afford to travel to another state to see a doctor. People normally have to go to doctors who happen to be in their insurance network.

If you are experiencing health problems, you need to do something so that you’ll be well enough to take care of yourself and your family.

All medication has side effects and dangers. If the pill helps you and you feel fine on it, then take it. That is not a moral problem. At least if you want a child, you can quit the pill and try for one. Once you have a hysterectomy, that option is out the window.

 

[Roxygirl1488]

This is incorrect and has been repeatedly rejected by apologists on this very forum, such as in the link I previously posted:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4618

Wow, there must be a division among religious because I spoke with a priest from the Fraternity of Saint Peter and he told me I would have to abstain if I was on the pill for medical reasons. Granted this is a traditional order but they are in full union with Rome…so why the difference of teachings on these matters? Who am I to believe?

 

[1ke]

Wow, there must be a division among religious because I spoke with a priest from the Fraternity of Saint Peter and he told me I would have to abstain if I was on the pill for medical reasons. Granted this is a traditional order but they are in full union with Rome…so why the difference of teachings on these matters? Who am I to believe?

There is no difference of teaching. The priest was simply mistaken.

 

[Xantippe]

There is no difference of teaching. The priest was simply mistaken.

Yes.

Not every single priest can be a pastoral moral theology black belt.