Comments on: Can I use birth control for medical reasons and not to prevent pregnancy?

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:21 +0000

Rebekah, this may be 2 months too late, but I know where you are coming from. I am a Catholic, also a nurse practitioner, and I understand the medical implications for birth control. There are many unsympathetic Catholics with opinions on why you should not use birth control for relief of symptoms- and the pain and debilitation is very real.

However, I have also has polycystic ovarian syndrome- initially controlled with birth control, later I was switched to metformin (a diabetic medication) and my cycles returned to normal- it is also indicated, and I have had better symptom relief.

Let your doctor know how you feel- the medical guidelines state to start with birth control, but if you are morally opposed, he should be able to help you find alternative. Perhaps a referral to an endocrinologist may be helpful. Talk with your pastor as well, he may be able to offer you some insight to your specific situation.

It’s odd, if a patient is Jewish or Muslim, we would not use a medication that was Pork based, without question. But for a Catholic patient, we impose progestogens (as the researched medical guidelines state) as a first option without questioning how it influences their personal beliefs.

By: rebekah

rebekah — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 05:38:32 +0000

I am concerned about my somewhat more complex situation. I have been married for 16 years, and we have been blessed with two beautiful children. We did use birth control in the past, as I did not fully understand the teachings of our faith. Since, I have insisted on rhythm and abstinence with the full acceptance of God’s will superceding at any time. In fact, recently, we have been wishing we had more children. However, my problem is that I was put on the pill then for severe ovarian cysts and their complex nature and risk to my ovaries. After we had two children, I decided to deal with the risk to my ovaries and potential pregnancy, because we believe in God’s will. However, recently, on top of epilepsy, crohn’s disease, and two previous c-sections (our youngest is 6), the cysts are often debilitating. Today, I had to leave work, see the doctor, get yet another ultrasound to learn that there were two full cysts and one that had ruptured…not to mention a high amount of ketones in my urine. Essentially, my body, at 39, is saying, slow down. The doctor prescribed pain killers, birth controll pills to “surpress my ovaries,” and bed rest. I filled the prescriptions and now don’t know what to do. I will pray for an answer, and I can call our pastor tomorrow about the Catholic way, but I am having trouble sleeping even now. If someone is awake somewhere, please, please help me figure this out. God bless you all.

By: Nfpworks

Nfpworks — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:17:42 +0000

This isnt’ the best and most complete answer. Although one’s conscience can be clear, another question to ask is, “Do I really NEED to take the pill?” or “Are there any other options to treat my fertility isseus?” To quote Jason Evert in his Love, Sex & Babies pamphlet (Catholic Answers), “…many of these conditions [endometriosis, ovarian cysts, irregular cycles, cramps, etc.] have alternative remedies without …its adverse side effects,” such as an increase of risk of breast cancer, blood clots, etc. Look into the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, and find a Creighton Teacher near you.