Isn't the fact that nfp is promoted as almost 100% effective (that is effective at not conceiving children) a reason not to do it?
What I mean is that if my wife takes a birth control pill to keep from conceiving or uses nfp to keep from conceiving isn't the end the same?
Haven't I conciously made the choice to keep from bearing children?
Pope Pius XI, Casti Connubii (#’s 53-56), Dec. 31, 1930: “But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural powers and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious"
Logically I can't escape the conclusion that nfp is just another form of contraception and should be avoided at all costs.
IMHM,
Bob (Bubba)
What is NFP/ How does NFP Work?
Moderators: johnmc, Johnna, MarieT
It is against nature to contracept. It is NOT against nature to abstain from the marrige act. (no matter what socity would like people to think on that matter!) Contraception involves the deliberate frustration of the marriage act; NFP does not. In some ways, that may seem like a small difference, but in reality, the difference is huge and very important.
Traditionally, the Catholic Church has always taught that married couples have the right to "plan" their families, provided this is done in a responsible and just manner, and is done with the proper motivation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
The Church teaches that it was God who made us male and female, and therefore, it was by His design that the marriage act has the dual purposes of the procreation of offspring and the nurturing of love between the spouses. These purposes, designed into the marriage act, must always be respected in order to follow God's will. When a couple deliberately frustrates the procreative potential of the marriage act through contraception, they are acting against God's plan and design for marital love. On the other hand, when a couple who have a "just reason" for avoiding pregnancy choose instead to abstain from the marriage act during the fertile time of the cycle, they are not acting in violation of God’s design.
Abstaining from the marriage act does nothing to deliberately change the procreative potential of the marriage act because there is no act. Again, it is not a sin to postpone or avoid conception for a just reason, but how a couple postpones or avoids conception can be sinful or it can be virtuous.
Traditionally, the Catholic Church has always taught that married couples have the right to "plan" their families, provided this is done in a responsible and just manner, and is done with the proper motivation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
So, it is not "birth regulation" that the Church opposes, but selfishness and any immoral means of accomplishing that.2368 A particular aspect of this responsibility concerns the regulation of births. For just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children. It is their duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness but is in conformity with the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood. (emphasis in original text)
The Church teaches that it was God who made us male and female, and therefore, it was by His design that the marriage act has the dual purposes of the procreation of offspring and the nurturing of love between the spouses. These purposes, designed into the marriage act, must always be respected in order to follow God's will. When a couple deliberately frustrates the procreative potential of the marriage act through contraception, they are acting against God's plan and design for marital love. On the other hand, when a couple who have a "just reason" for avoiding pregnancy choose instead to abstain from the marriage act during the fertile time of the cycle, they are not acting in violation of God’s design.
Abstaining from the marriage act does nothing to deliberately change the procreative potential of the marriage act because there is no act. Again, it is not a sin to postpone or avoid conception for a just reason, but how a couple postpones or avoids conception can be sinful or it can be virtuous.
Last edited by Johnna on Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Domine Non Sum Dignus!
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica
The post I made above is true for any method of artificial contraception. The example you cited above that mentioned the pill. Whenever one is talking about the pill, one should remember that the pill kills babies. This is not its primary function, but it is one of its functions. If the egg is fertilized while someone is on the pill, it has a secondary function of effecting the lining of the uterus so that the newly fertilized egg cannot implant itself into the wall of the womb. Thus, the new life is flushed from the body and thats the end for the poor embryo who would have otherwise grown and developed and been born one day. Such evils cannot happen when you abstain during the fertile time (use NFP).
Domine Non Sum Dignus!
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica
-
Guest
I've struggled with this in the past but I need answers to the following questions:
1) If a woman consistently uses the pill will it prevent a human life from being conceived? Yes or No
2) If a woman uses NFP consistently will it prevent a human life from being conceived? Yes or No
If the answers to 1) and 2) are Yes then isn't the end the same?
Does it really matter "why" my wife decided to use nfp or the pill? Are we not supposed to have total trust in God that He will not give us more than we can handle?
By utilizing nfp are we telling God that we know better than Him how many kids we should have?
I don't know...... it just seems to me that nfp is another form of birth control.
IMHM
Bob
1) If a woman consistently uses the pill will it prevent a human life from being conceived? Yes or No
2) If a woman uses NFP consistently will it prevent a human life from being conceived? Yes or No
If the answers to 1) and 2) are Yes then isn't the end the same?
Does it really matter "why" my wife decided to use nfp or the pill? Are we not supposed to have total trust in God that He will not give us more than we can handle?
By utilizing nfp are we telling God that we know better than Him how many kids we should have?
I don't know...... it just seems to me that nfp is another form of birth control.
IMHM
Bob
The answers to both your questions are NOT yes.
Question number 1
the answer is not always. That is a major problem with the pill. Sometimes there is a life created. Whether or not that live is actually born. I have known people who have gotten pregnant while on the pill and had the baby. And then there are those who have gotten pregnant while on the pill and didn't even know they were pregnant because the embryo was not allowed to live as I have already described. So the answer to that question is NOT yes.
2) Consistantly used NFP in accordance with God's will can mean deliberately achieveing pregnancy. At the very least, one is still open to pregnancy as the sex act is not frustrated in any way. It leaves room for God's will and His natural order. To say it again, although I guarantee you that using any artificial method of birth control will not help achieve pregnancy, NFP can be used to DELIBERATELY ACHIEVE pregnancy as well as postpone it. So to say that the answer to number two is yes, is also not true.
Remember that NFP is open to life. It does nothing to frustrate the marriage act. It is not trying to get in there and kill sperm, prevent ovulation etc. Artificial methods of contraception do these things, and that is an intrinsic evil. To say it is ok to frustrate the marrige act and play God with your fertility system is wrong.
God gave us fertility signs. He created them. As long as we are using them according to His will, (and Chruch teaching just elaborates His will) he has no problem with our using the free will He created to abstain.
NFP used the way the Church intended is a very prayerful and beautiful thing. It involves using your free-will and your bodies the way God created them to be used. A good Catholic NFP couple respects life enough to understand what a blessing children are, will follow Church teaching, and WILL NOT postpone pregnancy without serious reason. A good Catholic couple does not just think "Oh, I don't want to have babies right now, thank you", but instead looks at all the factors in their life and prays on them with their spouse. Thus NFP can increase your prayer life as you are including God in not only the creative part of the process, but also even in the very sacramental decision of whether or not to concieve. A good Catholic NFP couple does use NFP to prevent pregnancy if circumstances warrant it, and God so calls them. However they also use it to achieve pregnancy as God calls. And if they get pregnant while trying to postpone a pregnancy they most likely increase their prayer life yet again, seeing the pregnancy as God's will.
Question number 1
the answer is not always. That is a major problem with the pill. Sometimes there is a life created. Whether or not that live is actually born. I have known people who have gotten pregnant while on the pill and had the baby. And then there are those who have gotten pregnant while on the pill and didn't even know they were pregnant because the embryo was not allowed to live as I have already described. So the answer to that question is NOT yes.
2) Consistantly used NFP in accordance with God's will can mean deliberately achieveing pregnancy. At the very least, one is still open to pregnancy as the sex act is not frustrated in any way. It leaves room for God's will and His natural order. To say it again, although I guarantee you that using any artificial method of birth control will not help achieve pregnancy, NFP can be used to DELIBERATELY ACHIEVE pregnancy as well as postpone it. So to say that the answer to number two is yes, is also not true.
Remember that NFP is open to life. It does nothing to frustrate the marriage act. It is not trying to get in there and kill sperm, prevent ovulation etc. Artificial methods of contraception do these things, and that is an intrinsic evil. To say it is ok to frustrate the marrige act and play God with your fertility system is wrong.
God gave us fertility signs. He created them. As long as we are using them according to His will, (and Chruch teaching just elaborates His will) he has no problem with our using the free will He created to abstain.
NFP used the way the Church intended is a very prayerful and beautiful thing. It involves using your free-will and your bodies the way God created them to be used. A good Catholic NFP couple respects life enough to understand what a blessing children are, will follow Church teaching, and WILL NOT postpone pregnancy without serious reason. A good Catholic couple does not just think "Oh, I don't want to have babies right now, thank you", but instead looks at all the factors in their life and prays on them with their spouse. Thus NFP can increase your prayer life as you are including God in not only the creative part of the process, but also even in the very sacramental decision of whether or not to concieve. A good Catholic NFP couple does use NFP to prevent pregnancy if circumstances warrant it, and God so calls them. However they also use it to achieve pregnancy as God calls. And if they get pregnant while trying to postpone a pregnancy they most likely increase their prayer life yet again, seeing the pregnancy as God's will.
Hi Bob, if you are here to learn, the two articles I will post from American Life League will be very helpful in answering your questions.
If you are here to argue, then we will not be able to help you. We here at semperficatholic hold to "truth" and nothing else. We cannot tell folks what they "want" to hear but what they "need" to hear, and that is the "truth". In doing so we are being charitable.
If you read the most recent homily you will see that asking what truth is or suggesting that there is no truth when standing in the presence of Truth, one might end up like Pilate. The Roman Catholic Church is "Truth" because She was instituted by the Truth Who is Christ and Christ is Who we follow.
Blessings
Denise
*******************************************
Naturally spacing children: A couple’s act of faith
A married couple sincerely seeking the will of God makes a genuine commitment to always include His will in their marital relations. During this process their love for each other grows. The reason is clear: marriage and conjugal love are, by their very nature, ordained to procreation.
A question often arises in today’s society regarding the differences between spacing children according to nature’s calendar (natural family planning) and contraception. A further question is asked regarding the licit practice of such natural approaches. Let us be clear. First the differences between respecting a woman’s natural rhythms and the practice of artificial family planning methods are stark. In fact these differences were once recognized by all Christian churches. Prior to 1930 no Christian church approved the practice of contraception.
We recognize that the practice of contraception violates the principles of Natural Law which are understandable by the use of reason alone. We endorse the consistent Catholic teachings on this subject and specifically cite Pope John Paul II’s definition of these differences in Familiaris Consortio (Section 32):
When couples, by means of recourse to contraception, separate these two meanings [the unitive and procreative purposes of the marriage act] that God the creator has inscribed in the being of man and woman and in the dynamism of their sexual communion, they act as "arbiters" of the divine plan and they "manipulate" and degrade human sexuality and with it themselves and their married partner by altering its value of "total" self-giving. Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by an objectively contradictory language, namely, that of not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life, but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality.
Regarding the licit practice of natural approaches to spacing children, which we have referred to as respecting a female’s natural rhythmic cycle, we understand that such practices may be employed for just reasons. We understand that what one couple views as just reasons may not be viewed as such by another couple. It is clear, however, that in loving communion the couple can, during such times and with spiritual guidance, discern the will of God and grow in mutual respect, love and tenderness ever remembering that above all else, God is at the center of their union and the couple’s prayer is “Thy will be done.”
American Life League concurs with Pope John Paul II, who writes in Familiaris Consortio (Section 32):
In the light of the experience of many couples and of the data provided by the different human sciences, theological reflection is able to perceive and is called to study further the difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: It is a difference which is much wider and deeper than is usually thought, one which involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality. The choice of the natural rhythms involves accepting the cycle of the person, that is, the woman, and thereby accepting dialogue, reciprocal respect, shared responsibility and self-control. To accept the cycle and to enter into dialogue means to recognize both the spiritual and corporal character of conjugal communion and to live personal love with its requirement of fidelity. In this context the couple comes to experience how conjugal communion is enriched with those values of tenderness and affection which constitute the inner soul of human sexuality in its physical dimension also. In this way sexuality is respected and promoted in its truly and fully human dimension and is never “used” as an “object” that, by breaking the personal unity of soul and body, strikes at God’s creation itself at the level of the deepest interaction of nature and person.
American Life League does not ever endorse any method of family planning designed to intentionally avoid one of the two meanings of the conjugal act, which are to be open to the possibility of a child (procreative) and to nourish the love between the spouses (unitive). We do recognize the distinct differences, however, between artificial methods which are grievously sinful all of the time and the occasions when for just reasons a couple may ask God to postpone conception for a while. It must be clear that couples understand that when they ask God to not send them another child just now they are also saying, “If it is Your will to send us another child at this time, we praise You for Your divine providence.”
Birth control pills for medical reasons
By Paul Hayes, M.D.
Q: Is the taking of birth control ever okay for the regulating of (a woman's) cycle?
A: The answer to this has two components, as there is a moral component to the use of birth control drugs and devices and a medical component.
MORALLY: If a woman is not sexually active, thus eliminating the contraceptive aspect of the birth control pill, there would be no wrong committed. It is the contraceptive effect of these medications that are not permitted, not the drugs that are in them. Even if a woman were married, birth control drugs COULD (whether or not they SHOULD be used is another discussion) be used to treat a medical condition as long as the husband and wife were to abstain from marital relations, thereby eliminating the contraceptive effect. Some would argue that a couple could use NFP in these situations and simply avoid relations on the days of fertility, thus making their actions consistent with the drug they are using, though I believe this to be in error as the birth control pill will more frequently eliminate any signs of fertility making the use of NFP impossible. Plus, the birth control pill ALWAYS has an abortifacient effect, putting any baby conceived at risk of death from the drug the woman is taking.
Our Holy Father, John Paul II has stated over 15 years ago that "Contraception is to be judged so profoundly illicit that it can never be justified for any reason." This seems to close the door on any attempt to use birth control pills for "medical reasons" if there is ever any possibility of a contraceptive effect.
Q: She hasn't had a period for three months. Anyway, what does the church teach about taking doctor's prescribing birth control to girls whose periods are irregular?
A: I think the above discussion addresses this question and the discussion below will address the medical use of birth control pills to "regulate" a woman's cycle.
Q: This area of concern is around women who primarily take the birth control pill to reduce the severity of their extreme menstrual pain and who have absolutely no physical side effects as mentioned in Janet's tape.In any event, what message do you have for these ladies? My fervent wish is that there is some God blessed doctor out there that knows of some sort of medication that is available to address the physical menstrual pain without suffering from the spiritual side effects. Do you know of any efforts to address this issue (in this sort of way) in the medical field? What else do you have to say on this issue?
A: Let's examine what causes the pain associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. There are two causes of this pain, the first being common to all women and pain in general and the second cause limited to a few women affected by a certain disease state.
A woman's menstruation is the end of the process of ovulation or development of an egg for that cycle. At the beginning of the cycle, after her bleeding is finished, usually several days of quiet time for a woman's body occurs that is different for each woman. A "follicle" or fluid-filled sac begins to develop in one or the other ovary, gradually getting to the point of rupturing to release the egg. This process is associated with increasing estrogen. After this fluid filled sac or cyst ruptures, the egg is released into the woman's fallopian tube and the sac collapses to form another structure called a corpus luteal cyst. This cyst now begins to produce progesterone to change the lining of a woman's uterus to make it ready for a baby to grow and develop there. Estrogen is also produced by this new cyst, the corpus luteum, though in lesser amounts than before the egg was released. If the egg is not fertilized, after about 10-13 days on average, the hormone levels fall and a woman begins to menstruate. So, a woman's cycle is simply the "play" of these two hormones: estrogen in the first part of the cycle, and lesser amounts later and finally progesterone at the second half of the cycle.
The bleeding a woman has is further influenced by the production of a family of chemicals that cause muscles throughout the body, as well as the uterus (which is simply a complex bundle of smooth muscles) to contract, called "prostaglandins". These prostaglandins are responsible for a woman's menstrual pain as well as nearly any muscle spasm or strain anywhere in the body.
So the pain at menstruation is influenced by the hormones estrogen and progesterone in any given cycle as well as the production of prostaglandins. A woman's pain can be reduced by influencing either or both of these factors. Most modern, low-dose birth control pills are simply a combination of artificial estrogens and artificial progesterones. They are very high POTENCY compared to the natural ones, however, primarily to make them active even after digestion in the stomach. This high degree of potency (as well as their being not exactly like what the body produces) is what gives them all of their side-effects and dangerous complications. Nearly ALL women will suffer some degree of these effects whether or not a woman actually experiences any symptoms. The action of these hormones in the pill are threefold:
They stop normal functioning of the pituitary gland in the brain, thereby interfering with the release of an egg
They interfere with normal functioning of a woman's cervix (the opening of the uterus or womb)
Interfering with the normal lining of the uterus, making it very thin, keeping a baby from implanting.
It is easy to see then, that the birth control pill does not "regulate" anything in a woman's cycle. These hormones only superimpose a "drugged" state of a woman's body that has certain effects, chief among these being to stop a woman from getting pregnant (by any means, even stopping a baby already conceived from being received into his/her first home...his/her mother's uterus). This "drugged" or altered state of a woman's reproductive cycle does have certain effects that appear desirable, in spite of the risks of major complications and side-effects, however, and for women with very painful periods since the birth control pill decreases the amount of uterine lining she develops in any given cycle, the smooth muscles of the uterus contract less at the time of menstruation, thereby reducing the pain from a "normal" cycle.
***********************************************************
If you are here to argue, then we will not be able to help you. We here at semperficatholic hold to "truth" and nothing else. We cannot tell folks what they "want" to hear but what they "need" to hear, and that is the "truth". In doing so we are being charitable.
If you read the most recent homily you will see that asking what truth is or suggesting that there is no truth when standing in the presence of Truth, one might end up like Pilate. The Roman Catholic Church is "Truth" because She was instituted by the Truth Who is Christ and Christ is Who we follow.
Blessings
Denise
*******************************************
Naturally spacing children: A couple’s act of faith
A married couple sincerely seeking the will of God makes a genuine commitment to always include His will in their marital relations. During this process their love for each other grows. The reason is clear: marriage and conjugal love are, by their very nature, ordained to procreation.
A question often arises in today’s society regarding the differences between spacing children according to nature’s calendar (natural family planning) and contraception. A further question is asked regarding the licit practice of such natural approaches. Let us be clear. First the differences between respecting a woman’s natural rhythms and the practice of artificial family planning methods are stark. In fact these differences were once recognized by all Christian churches. Prior to 1930 no Christian church approved the practice of contraception.
We recognize that the practice of contraception violates the principles of Natural Law which are understandable by the use of reason alone. We endorse the consistent Catholic teachings on this subject and specifically cite Pope John Paul II’s definition of these differences in Familiaris Consortio (Section 32):
When couples, by means of recourse to contraception, separate these two meanings [the unitive and procreative purposes of the marriage act] that God the creator has inscribed in the being of man and woman and in the dynamism of their sexual communion, they act as "arbiters" of the divine plan and they "manipulate" and degrade human sexuality and with it themselves and their married partner by altering its value of "total" self-giving. Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by an objectively contradictory language, namely, that of not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life, but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality.
Regarding the licit practice of natural approaches to spacing children, which we have referred to as respecting a female’s natural rhythmic cycle, we understand that such practices may be employed for just reasons. We understand that what one couple views as just reasons may not be viewed as such by another couple. It is clear, however, that in loving communion the couple can, during such times and with spiritual guidance, discern the will of God and grow in mutual respect, love and tenderness ever remembering that above all else, God is at the center of their union and the couple’s prayer is “Thy will be done.”
American Life League concurs with Pope John Paul II, who writes in Familiaris Consortio (Section 32):
In the light of the experience of many couples and of the data provided by the different human sciences, theological reflection is able to perceive and is called to study further the difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: It is a difference which is much wider and deeper than is usually thought, one which involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality. The choice of the natural rhythms involves accepting the cycle of the person, that is, the woman, and thereby accepting dialogue, reciprocal respect, shared responsibility and self-control. To accept the cycle and to enter into dialogue means to recognize both the spiritual and corporal character of conjugal communion and to live personal love with its requirement of fidelity. In this context the couple comes to experience how conjugal communion is enriched with those values of tenderness and affection which constitute the inner soul of human sexuality in its physical dimension also. In this way sexuality is respected and promoted in its truly and fully human dimension and is never “used” as an “object” that, by breaking the personal unity of soul and body, strikes at God’s creation itself at the level of the deepest interaction of nature and person.
American Life League does not ever endorse any method of family planning designed to intentionally avoid one of the two meanings of the conjugal act, which are to be open to the possibility of a child (procreative) and to nourish the love between the spouses (unitive). We do recognize the distinct differences, however, between artificial methods which are grievously sinful all of the time and the occasions when for just reasons a couple may ask God to postpone conception for a while. It must be clear that couples understand that when they ask God to not send them another child just now they are also saying, “If it is Your will to send us another child at this time, we praise You for Your divine providence.”
Birth control pills for medical reasons
By Paul Hayes, M.D.
Q: Is the taking of birth control ever okay for the regulating of (a woman's) cycle?
A: The answer to this has two components, as there is a moral component to the use of birth control drugs and devices and a medical component.
MORALLY: If a woman is not sexually active, thus eliminating the contraceptive aspect of the birth control pill, there would be no wrong committed. It is the contraceptive effect of these medications that are not permitted, not the drugs that are in them. Even if a woman were married, birth control drugs COULD (whether or not they SHOULD be used is another discussion) be used to treat a medical condition as long as the husband and wife were to abstain from marital relations, thereby eliminating the contraceptive effect. Some would argue that a couple could use NFP in these situations and simply avoid relations on the days of fertility, thus making their actions consistent with the drug they are using, though I believe this to be in error as the birth control pill will more frequently eliminate any signs of fertility making the use of NFP impossible. Plus, the birth control pill ALWAYS has an abortifacient effect, putting any baby conceived at risk of death from the drug the woman is taking.
Our Holy Father, John Paul II has stated over 15 years ago that "Contraception is to be judged so profoundly illicit that it can never be justified for any reason." This seems to close the door on any attempt to use birth control pills for "medical reasons" if there is ever any possibility of a contraceptive effect.
Q: She hasn't had a period for three months. Anyway, what does the church teach about taking doctor's prescribing birth control to girls whose periods are irregular?
A: I think the above discussion addresses this question and the discussion below will address the medical use of birth control pills to "regulate" a woman's cycle.
Q: This area of concern is around women who primarily take the birth control pill to reduce the severity of their extreme menstrual pain and who have absolutely no physical side effects as mentioned in Janet's tape.In any event, what message do you have for these ladies? My fervent wish is that there is some God blessed doctor out there that knows of some sort of medication that is available to address the physical menstrual pain without suffering from the spiritual side effects. Do you know of any efforts to address this issue (in this sort of way) in the medical field? What else do you have to say on this issue?
A: Let's examine what causes the pain associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. There are two causes of this pain, the first being common to all women and pain in general and the second cause limited to a few women affected by a certain disease state.
A woman's menstruation is the end of the process of ovulation or development of an egg for that cycle. At the beginning of the cycle, after her bleeding is finished, usually several days of quiet time for a woman's body occurs that is different for each woman. A "follicle" or fluid-filled sac begins to develop in one or the other ovary, gradually getting to the point of rupturing to release the egg. This process is associated with increasing estrogen. After this fluid filled sac or cyst ruptures, the egg is released into the woman's fallopian tube and the sac collapses to form another structure called a corpus luteal cyst. This cyst now begins to produce progesterone to change the lining of a woman's uterus to make it ready for a baby to grow and develop there. Estrogen is also produced by this new cyst, the corpus luteum, though in lesser amounts than before the egg was released. If the egg is not fertilized, after about 10-13 days on average, the hormone levels fall and a woman begins to menstruate. So, a woman's cycle is simply the "play" of these two hormones: estrogen in the first part of the cycle, and lesser amounts later and finally progesterone at the second half of the cycle.
The bleeding a woman has is further influenced by the production of a family of chemicals that cause muscles throughout the body, as well as the uterus (which is simply a complex bundle of smooth muscles) to contract, called "prostaglandins". These prostaglandins are responsible for a woman's menstrual pain as well as nearly any muscle spasm or strain anywhere in the body.
So the pain at menstruation is influenced by the hormones estrogen and progesterone in any given cycle as well as the production of prostaglandins. A woman's pain can be reduced by influencing either or both of these factors. Most modern, low-dose birth control pills are simply a combination of artificial estrogens and artificial progesterones. They are very high POTENCY compared to the natural ones, however, primarily to make them active even after digestion in the stomach. This high degree of potency (as well as their being not exactly like what the body produces) is what gives them all of their side-effects and dangerous complications. Nearly ALL women will suffer some degree of these effects whether or not a woman actually experiences any symptoms. The action of these hormones in the pill are threefold:
They stop normal functioning of the pituitary gland in the brain, thereby interfering with the release of an egg
They interfere with normal functioning of a woman's cervix (the opening of the uterus or womb)
Interfering with the normal lining of the uterus, making it very thin, keeping a baby from implanting.
It is easy to see then, that the birth control pill does not "regulate" anything in a woman's cycle. These hormones only superimpose a "drugged" state of a woman's body that has certain effects, chief among these being to stop a woman from getting pregnant (by any means, even stopping a baby already conceived from being received into his/her first home...his/her mother's uterus). This "drugged" or altered state of a woman's reproductive cycle does have certain effects that appear desirable, in spite of the risks of major complications and side-effects, however, and for women with very painful periods since the birth control pill decreases the amount of uterine lining she develops in any given cycle, the smooth muscles of the uterus contract less at the time of menstruation, thereby reducing the pain from a "normal" cycle.
***********************************************************
Bob,
My opinion is that the Church is not out to trick us. God called man into existence. He formed us Himself. There is no method that is 100% effective. Not even abstinence since Christ Himself took flesh in the virginal womb of our Blessed Mother. The Church teaches us that NFP is a satisfactory method that the faithful may use if there is need to space births or prevent births for serious reasons. Now it is possible for the faithful to abuse NFP just as it is possible for the faithful to abuse anything such as food, alcohol, sports. You name it and if we allow ourselves to be king in any arena sin can creep in. You need a really good spiritual advisor who can help you iron out your concerns. I have a wonderful spiritual advisor and after reading The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila I want to obey him in all ways. Saint Teresa said that if you obey your spiritual advisor you will grow in holiness and hence be closer to God. Isn't that what all this debate is really about? We want communion with God. I know I do. I suggest praying for a spiritual director. You might even ask the intercession of Saint John Vianney, Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Padre Pio. I have come to the point in my quest for union/communion that I no longer protest anything whatsoever that the Church through the Magisterium that is in union with the Pope teaches. Jesus left us this Church to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Pax Christi,
Lori
My opinion is that the Church is not out to trick us. God called man into existence. He formed us Himself. There is no method that is 100% effective. Not even abstinence since Christ Himself took flesh in the virginal womb of our Blessed Mother. The Church teaches us that NFP is a satisfactory method that the faithful may use if there is need to space births or prevent births for serious reasons. Now it is possible for the faithful to abuse NFP just as it is possible for the faithful to abuse anything such as food, alcohol, sports. You name it and if we allow ourselves to be king in any arena sin can creep in. You need a really good spiritual advisor who can help you iron out your concerns. I have a wonderful spiritual advisor and after reading The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila I want to obey him in all ways. Saint Teresa said that if you obey your spiritual advisor you will grow in holiness and hence be closer to God. Isn't that what all this debate is really about? We want communion with God. I know I do. I suggest praying for a spiritual director. You might even ask the intercession of Saint John Vianney, Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Padre Pio. I have come to the point in my quest for union/communion that I no longer protest anything whatsoever that the Church through the Magisterium that is in union with the Pope teaches. Jesus left us this Church to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Pax Christi,
Lori
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Guest
I went to the CCL website and found this under Basics/Effectiveness menu:
"However, the fact that some methods of NFP can be 99% effective in the avoidance of pregnancy seems unknown to most of the general public--including many health care professionals."
"Old rhythm studies from Latin America with low effectiveness rates are quoted and requoted, but a recent and well designed study by the U.S. Federal Government showing a 100% method effectiveness is ignored or misquoted."
"One purpose of this pamphlet is to review the very solid basis for the statement that the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning can be used at the 99% level of effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy"
Ok, now imagine that in the last paragraph that I substituted a few words. How has the END result changed?
"One purpose of this pamphlet is to review the very solid basis for the statement that birth control pills can be used at the 99% level of effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy"
My point is that birth control, in any form, was not a part of Catholic life until reign of Pope Pius XII where the rythym method was introduced.
In all honesty I am speaking from experience because my wife and I practiced nfp for 8 years. Nfp was pushed on us at the pre-cana classes so we just picked it up. In fact we almost became a teaching couple with nfp at one point. It wasn't until about 1998 that my wife and I decided that with God's grace and the Catholic Faith that we would be totally open to life and trust totally in God. Since then we have a total of 8 beautiful children and hopefully will have more. God has blessed us many times over and has shown that He is twice as generous as we can ever hope to be.
Now, one would say that since the Church teaches it then it must be OK. Well the Church never taught birth control for about 1950 years until some churchmen decided that there must be changes. Either Pope Pius XI was right in his encyclical Cast Connubi (as well as the past 1950 years of the magesterium) concerning birth control or the present day leadership is right. Both cannot be right.
I am so glad that my mother did not practice any form of birth control because I might not be here now writing this.
IMHM,
Bob (8th out of 9 children)
"However, the fact that some methods of NFP can be 99% effective in the avoidance of pregnancy seems unknown to most of the general public--including many health care professionals."
"Old rhythm studies from Latin America with low effectiveness rates are quoted and requoted, but a recent and well designed study by the U.S. Federal Government showing a 100% method effectiveness is ignored or misquoted."
"One purpose of this pamphlet is to review the very solid basis for the statement that the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning can be used at the 99% level of effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy"
Ok, now imagine that in the last paragraph that I substituted a few words. How has the END result changed?
"One purpose of this pamphlet is to review the very solid basis for the statement that birth control pills can be used at the 99% level of effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy"
My point is that birth control, in any form, was not a part of Catholic life until reign of Pope Pius XII where the rythym method was introduced.
In all honesty I am speaking from experience because my wife and I practiced nfp for 8 years. Nfp was pushed on us at the pre-cana classes so we just picked it up. In fact we almost became a teaching couple with nfp at one point. It wasn't until about 1998 that my wife and I decided that with God's grace and the Catholic Faith that we would be totally open to life and trust totally in God. Since then we have a total of 8 beautiful children and hopefully will have more. God has blessed us many times over and has shown that He is twice as generous as we can ever hope to be.
Now, one would say that since the Church teaches it then it must be OK. Well the Church never taught birth control for about 1950 years until some churchmen decided that there must be changes. Either Pope Pius XI was right in his encyclical Cast Connubi (as well as the past 1950 years of the magesterium) concerning birth control or the present day leadership is right. Both cannot be right.
I am so glad that my mother did not practice any form of birth control because I might not be here now writing this.
IMHM,
Bob (8th out of 9 children)
Bob, you have a bad conception, pardon the pun, of NFP. I took the liberty to send your questions to Judie Brown at American Life League. She is on the pontifical Academy for Life, but ofcourse if you don't follow our Pope then that means nothing to you.
Here is her reply, she is a pro, another pun not intended.
Denise
Dear Denise, Here are my responses to the questions
1) If a woman consistently uses the pill, at least twice per year according to clinical studies of what is called "breakthrough bleeding" and other such examinations, the pill will abort. That means two babies will die.
2) If a woman uses NFP correctly, and for a just reason, she can be 98.8 percent certain that she will not become pregnant. This is, according to medical journals, a bit better than artificial forms of birth control.
Now for the hard part, Bob. We know that when a couple decides to use an artificial method of birth control they are telling God (whether they realize it or not) that when and if they have a child is their business so God can butt out! In fact they are so predisposed negatively toward a child that if the "accident" occurs they will seek abortion. This is borne out by study after study, sociological studies done by independent researchers, not pro-lifers or Catholics.
However, if a couple is using NFP for the right reasons then they are telling the Lord that they would prefer not to have a baby right now, but that during their time of attempting to avoid a baby, if it is His will to bless them with a baby, they will welcome that child. In other words, they are not attempting to shut God out, but rather to do what they can, using the faculties God has given them (natural cycles) to avoid a baby.
There is a wonderful article that explains this, Bob. It is called God, Sex and Babies and you can read it at www.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0311fea3.asp
By using NFP you are not telling God you know better than He; you are simply sharing what you believe is right for you with Him, knowing that if His will results in a baby even when you are not ready for a baby, you accept that.
I hope that Christopher West's article helps you see what I am so feebly trying to explain to you. And thanks for asking!
Judie Brown
Here is her reply, she is a pro, another pun not intended.
Denise
Dear Denise, Here are my responses to the questions
1) If a woman consistently uses the pill, at least twice per year according to clinical studies of what is called "breakthrough bleeding" and other such examinations, the pill will abort. That means two babies will die.
2) If a woman uses NFP correctly, and for a just reason, she can be 98.8 percent certain that she will not become pregnant. This is, according to medical journals, a bit better than artificial forms of birth control.
Now for the hard part, Bob. We know that when a couple decides to use an artificial method of birth control they are telling God (whether they realize it or not) that when and if they have a child is their business so God can butt out! In fact they are so predisposed negatively toward a child that if the "accident" occurs they will seek abortion. This is borne out by study after study, sociological studies done by independent researchers, not pro-lifers or Catholics.
However, if a couple is using NFP for the right reasons then they are telling the Lord that they would prefer not to have a baby right now, but that during their time of attempting to avoid a baby, if it is His will to bless them with a baby, they will welcome that child. In other words, they are not attempting to shut God out, but rather to do what they can, using the faculties God has given them (natural cycles) to avoid a baby.
There is a wonderful article that explains this, Bob. It is called God, Sex and Babies and you can read it at www.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0311fea3.asp
By using NFP you are not telling God you know better than He; you are simply sharing what you believe is right for you with Him, knowing that if His will results in a baby even when you are not ready for a baby, you accept that.
I hope that Christopher West's article helps you see what I am so feebly trying to explain to you. And thanks for asking!
Judie Brown
Bubba, I trust you didn't read the posts I made. I say this because I was in the forum when you came in and in when you left, not enough time to read those post but enough time to post you uninformed message. Why don't you read what is provided for you and get a little learnin?
I suspect that you are not here for answers but to try and rip apart the church. You keep bringing up Pius XI... you are a schismatic aren't you? Just answer the question.
In every post you have made in the forum so far you have shown that you are not faithful to the Church and Her Magisterium. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, Bubba, Bob.
Blessings
Denise
I suspect that you are not here for answers but to try and rip apart the church. You keep bringing up Pius XI... you are a schismatic aren't you? Just answer the question.
In every post you have made in the forum so far you have shown that you are not faithful to the Church and Her Magisterium. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, Bubba, Bob.
Blessings
Denise
The difference between the two has been explained more than once. To repeatedly keep asking in order to simply argue is not what this forum is for. I am not here to argue. I am here as a wittness for the Truth. I have spoken the Truth as it is. If you choose to believe or think otherwise, that is beyond the scope of this website. All we can do is sow the seeds. We cannot force growth out of them.
Domine Non Sum Dignus!
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica
Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement.
~ Mother Angelica