birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)

christyhal

Hi ladies...I know there have been various threads going re: birth control pills/NFP etc., but here's my situation & question: 

FI and I do not cohabitate or sleep together, and won't until the wedding.  So there is absolutely no pregnancy-related reason for me to be on birth control.  However, I have *very bad* menstrual symptoms--my doctor believes I have endometriosis and will likely be unable to conceive without surgery to clear this up.  Because of the condition, my cycles if I am not on any type of birth control are incredibly irregular and heavy, and I have such severe pain that I *literally* cannot get out of bed for several days at a time, and if I do, I cannot stand up straight.  (A girl at work and I were having contractions together...but *she* had a baby to show at the end of it...)

Basically, what I am getting at is I have a bona fide medical condition which the only non-surgical treatment for is hormonal birth control, as it supresses the creation of new endometriosis lesions.  My doctor has said that the best "cure" is to have a baby, because something in the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy clear up the condition for many people.  However, she has also said in my case I will probably need surgery to clear up the existing problem before this would happen.

Once we get married, I don't want to use birth control to avoid getting pregnant.  I would *love* to have a baby, sooner rather than later.  (I'm pushing 30...the clock's ticking...)  However, for a number of reasons, I can't have the surgery before the wedding (one reason being if I am not able to get pregnant without it, my best chance of conceiving is shortly afterwards, so I don't want to lose my window).

My ultimate question is...do any of you know if there are any exceptions to the church's prohibition on hormonal birth control, to account for a situation like mine?  I only want to be able to function without incapacitating myself for a full week out of the month, for a couple of months after the wedding until I can have surgery.  I am going to be asking this to our priest also, but given the extent of the 'female' situation, I was not sure if he'd understand the question.  He's the priest, yes, but he's also a guy.  I'd appreciate any input you might have.  Know that I am not just looking for an easy out...if the answer is no exception, that's OK too.  Thanks in advance!

kgrunow

I went to an all girls Catholic high school; so, of couse this question came up. We were told that the church understands medical conditions. However, that should be the only type of artifical BC and that you need to be having sex like you would if you used no protection (counting days, using NFP, ect).

KayAy

I'm in basically the exact same situation. I'm a faithful Catholic, and I've been on the pill for about 10 years now because I couldn't even survive my period in junior high... I have memories of curling up in the girls' bathroom, almost delusional, migraines galore, the works. My gynocologist also recommended BC because they couldn't perform the surgery on me at so young an age, and in the likely case that I have endometriosis, the pill "stalls" the progression of it (just like you explained above). My FI and I are waiting for marriage too, and it's tricky, I understand. But everyone I've spoken to in the Church has told me that since there is currently no other medical treatment for this condition, as long as I am using BC for this treatment only, and not actually to prevent pregnancy, it's okay.

My plans after marriage are to get off the pill just as soon as I can, because I want to be able to have children whenever God wants to give them to us. It sounds weird, being on the pill now because I WANT to be pregnant later. As for your situation, I'm not sure how a priest will react to being on the pill during marriage, but given that you plan to have surgery soon after, maybe there will be some flexibility.

Sending prayers your way!

Jay&Marissa

I'm pretty sure you are fine. You might want to try seeing an NFP-only doctor, though--many of them are able to find underlying causes/alternative treatments that other OB/Gyns would just treat with birth control pills. Not saying there is one, but why not try? I know there are a few on here who have had that experience--hopefully they will chime in.

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:810bba29-5f99-413c-8d17-fb7153120ebc">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm pretty sure you are fine. You might want to try seeing an NFP-only doctor, though--many of them are able to find underlying causes/alternative treatments that other OB/Gyns would just treat with birth control pills. Not saying there is one, but why not try? I know there are a few on here who have had that experience--hopefully they will chime in.
Posted by Jay&Marissa[/QUOTE]

I found a great NFP-only doctor, and I'm also considering traveling to Omaha to visit the Pope Paul VI Institute, which specializes in non-BC treatments for a variety of gynecological conditions.  (<a href="http://www.popepaulvi.com/about.htm">http://www.popepaulvi.com/about.htm</a>)    You can find NFP-only doctors at <a href="http://onemoresoul.com/nfp-providers">http://onemoresoul.com/nfp-providers</a>. 

It might be worth a consultation with an NFP-only doctor before you make any decisions.  Good luck!

(Edited to make clear that I don't have endometriosis so I don't know specifically about that condition -- but I do know that a good NFP-only doctor will be able to advise you about whether there are any alternative treatments that will work for you.)

Riss91

My best friend was in exactly your situation. She had the surgery (but she is not married or even engaged yet - so the prospect of being cured through pregnancy is not as eminent). The church accepts BC for cases like yours, but I would certainly do my research and make sure you know what type of pill you are using. I know some pills prevent ovulation, whereas others also prevent implantation, which to me is a form of abortion so I would personally avoid those. Through my friend I know your situation is not easy and I pray things improve for you soon!

meltoine

Find a good priest and talk to him about your situation. So far as I know (I've had a few good friends go through exactly your situation) hormonal BC is only acceptable as treatment for a medical condition when you are not engaging in sexual intercourse. Once you are married you will have to find an alternative solution. 

blackfire5th

BCP doesn't just prevent pregnancy, it is also a medicine.  I believe that God has given us the knowledge and the gift of medicine and that it should be used when needed.

Personally, I think BCP are a awesome gift from God!  I luckily don't have any diseases, but I had horrible periods.  It would get to the point where I would start to tunnel vision and begin to faint while I tried to walk during certain days of my period.  Obviously I can't chart so I do rely on it to prevent pregnancy, and I will most likely remain on the pill for most of my life due to my high risk of hereditary ovarian cancer and strong evidence that BCP is one of the most effective ovarian cancer preventions (I apologize, I don't have a source I can quote, I've just been told this my multiple OB-G's, including an ovarian cancer specialist).  I also understand that prolonged use of BCP is associated with a increase in cervical and breast cancer.

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:bcf47a33-943d-4bc9-a98a-afe10685a0af">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]I will most likely remain on the pill for most of my life due to my high risk of hereditary ovarian cancer and <strong>strong evidence that BCP is one of the most effective ovarian cancer preventions</strong> Posted by blackfire5th[/QUOTE]

Having children early and breastfeeding them is also associated with a significant reduction in risk for ovarian cancer (30-60%, as opposed to 40%-ish for 5 years+ of BCP), and the risk declines further with every successive pregnancy.  In other words, having babies early and often (well, at least more than once) is one of the most effective risk reducers for ovarian cancer. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

fam6

You are certainly not going against the church.  The church understands medical restrictions.  Just as the sick are brought communion even if they have not attended a service or confession.  Just as the sick are allowed to eat meat during Lental times that the rest of us should abstain.  The church understands that medically this is what you need.  You could always go talk to your priest and get his blessing if it would make you more sure in your mind.

Jenn Anne

I'm in the same situation, I was raised catholic and was put on BC my freshman year in college bc of problems with my period.  And I actually talked to my priest about it and he said that it was understandable why I had to be on it. I hope that helps  

agapecarrie

Morally, a medicine that might have  secondary effect of steriliztion, might be used...

however, as mentioned here, you are STRONGLY encouraged to find alternatives because it is poison for the body.

It is also abortive.


Go to www.omsoul.com

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:88e91ac9-97ad-4c7c-9adb-228b9656043d">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Morally, a medicine that might have  secondary effect of steriliztion, might be used... however, as mentioned here, you are STRONGLY encouraged to find alternatives because it is <strong>poison for the body. It is also abortive.</strong> Go to <a href="http://www.omsoul.com" rel="nofollow">www.omsoul.com</a>
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

<div>How in the world is it "poison for the body."  Also, one cannot abort if one is not ovulating.</div><div>
</div><div>It sounds like you are only focusing on the fact that it can prevent pregnancy, not that it is medicine that can help to correct hormone imbalances. </div>

Theresa626

Gulfcoaster, while that may be true, I think it is pretty much a horrible horrible reason to have a child especially at a younger age when you are not mature enough or ready to be a good parent.  It actually sounds like an incredibly selfish reason to have a child so I don't really think it's a good answer to preventing cancer.  

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:88e91ac9-97ad-4c7c-9adb-228b9656043d">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Morally, a medicine that might have  secondary effect of steriliztion, might be used... however, as mentioned here, you are STRONGLY encouraged to find alternatives because it is poison for the body. It is also abortive. <strong>Go to <a href="http://www.omsoul.com" rel="nofollow">www.omsoul.com</a></strong>
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

<div>I went to this link and read about sterilization.  It was just a few stories from couples that had taken BCP and then had trouble conceiving.  We do not know what the pre-existing conditions were before the BCP, so while the sterilization is correlated, there is no evidence of causation. </div>

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:d0ac2be8-ad00-4e17-b6ec-e939a0d1ec25">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : Having children early and breastfeeding them is also associated with a significant reduction in risk for ovarian cancer (30-60%, as opposed to 40%-ish for 5 years+ of BCP), and the risk declines further with every successive pregnancy.  In other words, having babies early and often (well, at least more than once) is one of the most effective risk reducers for ovarian cancer. 
Posted by GulfCoaster[/QUOTE]

<div>hehe, that's good to know too.  However, having lots of babies right now isn't in the cards for Dh and I (not financially sound and feel it is irresponsible to bring in too many children while our world is already overpopulated- not judging anyone who wants a big family, just our beliefs).</div>

agapecarrie

I wasn't talking about permanent sterilization, I'm talking about temporary, which it does indeed do.

2nd- it most certainly is abortive, read the insert. The first way it "prevents" pregnancy by stopping ovulation, but if there is an accidental ovulation, then the lining of the uterus is thinned and the conceived soul is eliminated.

3rd, it is poison for the body, it does NOT correct hormonal imablances, only natural hormones can do that. It makes the body stop working the way its supposed to. It is not a real period that happens, its fake. There are many docs in my city alone who would attest to this, but the list of docs on the www.omsoul.com would gladly meet with you to discuss the actual horrific conditions the body is put through on this so called "medicine".

Taking a pill to make the body stop working the way its supposed to isn't medicine. It may mask symtoms, cover them up, but it isn't a cure. If you were to get a headache in the same place in your head every day for months on end, its like taking advil to make the pain symptom go away instead of doing tests and finding the cause of the headache, and curing it.

Bec20

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:6f7ee380-3517-4cb6-9eff-e1ac77026c15">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Taking a pill to make the body stop working the way its supposed to isn't medicine. It may mask symtoms, cover them up, but it isn't a cure. If you were to get a headache in the same place in your head every day for months on end, its like taking advil to make the pain symptom go away instead of doing tests and finding the cause of the headache, and curing it.
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

The thing is, endometriosis doesn't have a cure.  The uterine lining just grows not just inside the uterus, but outside of it, on the fallopian tubes, and all sorts of other organs that are in the general area (appendix, intestines, etc).  The hormones in BC prevent the lining from growing to the extent that they do otherwise, which minmizes the damage that can be done to other areas.

One of my friends is also Catholic and suffers from endo, as did her mother.  She went on the pill at 17 because she was told that it was the best way to possibly save her fertility.  Without it, she was told it was likely that she would need to have a hyserectomy before she got to the point in her life where she could be able to have children and that her reproductive organs were getting damaged.

For people with endometriosis, going on BC can prevent scarring in the fallopian tubes or the need for major abdominal operations (removal of the appendix, a hyserectomy, etc).  For them, it IS the best medicine available to them.

Calypso1977

 Also, one cannot abort if one is not ovulating.

true, but one the pill, folks will still on occasion ovulate, usually due to a missed pill or some other medicine interfering with the pill's ability to do what its meant to do.  as agape said, because the unterine walls are thinner than normal, due to the pill, the fertilized embyro cannot implant, therefore it miscarries usually without any knowledge of the pregnancy to the woman. 

havent you ever known someone who got pregnant while on the pill??  ive konwn a few.  that's why its not 100% effective because you can ovulate and can get pregnant while using it.  in fact, i'm willing to be that the effective rate is much, much lower than the 98 or 99% it claims to be since that rate doesnt account for the various "phantom" pregnancies that occur while on the pill that never implant.

agapecarrie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:08542a30-2133-41e8-98b3-e29929a59c03">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : The thing is, endometriosis doesn't have a cure.  The uterine lining just grows not just inside the uterus, but outside of it, on the fallopian tubes, and all sorts of other organs that are in the general area (appendix, intestines, etc).  The hormones in BC prevent the lining from growing to the extent that they do otherwise, which minmizes the damage that can be done to other areas. One of my friends is also Catholic and suffers from endo, as did her mother.  She went on the pill at 17 because she was told that it was the best way to possibly save her fertility.  Without it, she was told it was likely that she would need to have a hyserectomy before she got to the point in her life where she could be able to have children and that her reproductive organs were getting damaged. For people with endometriosis, going on BC can prevent scarring in the fallopian tubes or the need for major abdominal operations (removal of the appendix, a hyserectomy, etc).  For them, it IS the best medicine available to them.
Posted by Bec20[/QUOTE]

and again many many doctors disagree with you.

<a href="http://www.omsoul.com" rel="nofollow">www.omsoul.com</a>

caitriona87

As PP's said, bc could potentially be morally acceptable in this case IF not for the abortifacient effect. (i.e. it is justified as long as one is not sexually active.) I just couldn't take that chance, personally. It sounds like OP truly wants to be faithful to the Church. If it were me, I'd probably schedule the surgery ASAP after the wedding and abstain in the interim, as much as it might stink. Some couples have to do it because they're fertile and avoiding pregnancy with NFP, so maybe you could make it close enough that it wouldn't be so different from that situation.

Also, I don't mean to threadjack, but I just had to say that overpopulation is a complete myth. Watch Demographic Winter. Birth rates in the West are far below replacement levels for the most part (between 1.0-1.5 births/woman, where 2.1 is the rate needed to maintain population--the US is nearly the only exception to this, and we're just at 2.1) and they're quickly declining in the developing world as well. We're actually in the process of literally committing societal suicide.

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:d65d5fdb-40ef-4d30-9098-db0289bbf55f">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : hehe, that's good to know too.  However, having lots of babies right now isn't in the cards for Dh and I (not financially sound and feel it is irresponsible to bring in too many children while our world is already overpopulated- not judging anyone who wants a big family, just our beliefs).
Posted by blackfire5th[/QUOTE]


Ovarian cancer runs pretty strongly in my family too, so I've done a lot of research on risk factors.  Even a single pregnancy will reduce risk for ovarian cancer pretty significantly.  I'm not saying that cancer risk is the only reason to have a child (as I think a PP may have interpreted me to be saying) -- but I am saying that being open to life, as the Church asks us to be, can have positive health benefits too.  One doesn't have to be on the Pill to reduce one's risk for ovarian cancer.

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:a97cc342-060e-4ad0-862c-1350459b8c13">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Gulfcoaster, while that may be true, I think it is pretty much a horrible horrible reason to have a child especially at a younger age when you are not mature enough or ready to be a good parent.  It actually sounds like an incredibly selfish reason to have a child so I don't really think it's a good answer to preventing cancer.  
Posted by Theresa626[/QUOTE]

Younger in most studies = 30 or under, not necessarily teenagers who aren't mature enough to be parents.  And most studies show a reduced risk among women who've ever been pregnant (regardless of maternal age), compared to women who've never been pregnant. 

I didn't mean to suggest that one should have a child simply to reduce one's cancer risk.  I was trying to point out that being on the BCP is not the only action which reduces cancer risk -- and that even being open to life, according to Church teachings, has potential health benefits. 

agapecarrie

God is so interesting. No kidding, today, I began the 3 day TOB congress. I'm listening to speakers from all over about all sorts of different things related. There are exhibitors (including all methods of NFP) and there were many brochures about NAPRO technology (the science behind the NFP-doctors and charting to diagnose and treat issues)  including one on Endometriosis (another on PCOS). There are different types of treatment including laser laparoscopy, laparotomy and hormone therapy (this is natural, not synthetic).

Also, Janet Smith is here, who is a fascinating speaker. One fascinating thing was about monkeys and using hormonal contraception with the females:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bevk4s1I0XM

Dr. Janet Smith has some GREAT CD's (or audio downloads) about the effects of synthetic hormones, overpopulation, NFP, etc

mycatholicfaith.org

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:d185be02-86e9-4c72-aad2-746afdb9d2c3">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : Ovarian cancer runs pretty strongly in my family too, so I've done a lot of research on risk factors.  Even a single pregnancy will reduce risk for ovarian cancer pretty significantly.  I'm not saying that cancer risk is the only reason to have a child (as I think a PP may have interpreted me to be saying) -- but I am saying that being open to life, as the Church asks us to be, can have positive health benefits too.  One doesn't have to be on the Pill to reduce one's risk for ovarian cancer.
Posted by GulfCoaster[/QUOTE]

<div>My grandmother had 9 children and still developed ovarian cancer, so that didn't do my grandmother a lot of good in that department.</div><div>
</div><div>Edit: removed a question because I confused two posters.</div>

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:78b3ae30-28f2-46d1-8745-0eb69a3dd237">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE] Also, Janet Smith is here, who is a fascinating speaker. One fascinating thing was about monkeys and using hormonal contraception with the females: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bevk4s1I0XM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bevk4s1I0XM</a> Dr. Janet Smith has some GREAT CD's (or audio downloads) about the effects of synthetic hormones, overpopulation, NFP, etc mycatholicfaith.org
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm pretty sure this lady doesn't know what she is talking about from the fact that she kept referencing the hormones affected another individual and hormones attract men.  That is such a basic principle that anyone who would actually study this would not make such a large mistake.</div><div>
</div><div>Sorry, I'm just really upset about that video.  I was interested in it just to realize that it is full of fallacies.  </div><div>
</div><div>If she had something real to say, yes I would be skeptical at first, but I would do my research and would admit that she/the study is right, but it bothers me so much that she is using whatever she can to support her beliefs, whether they are correct or not.</div><div>
</div><div>(And if we worked just like that one species of monkey does, shouldn't my DH have zero sexual interest in me?)</div>

meltoine

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:78b3ae30-28f2-46d1-8745-0eb69a3dd237">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]God is so interesting. No kidding, today, I began the 3 day TOB congress. I'm listening to speakers from all over about all sorts of different things related. There are exhibitors (including all methods of NFP) and there were many brochures about NAPRO technology (the science behind the NFP-doctors and charting to diagnose and treat issues)  including one on Endometriosis (another on PCOS). There are different types of treatment including laser laparoscopy, laparotomy and hormone therapy (this is natural, not synthetic). Also, Janet Smith is here, who is a fascinating speaker. One fascinating thing was about monkeys and using hormonal contraception with the females: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bevk4s1I0XM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bevk4s1I0XM</a> Dr. Janet Smith has some GREAT CD's (or audio downloads) about the effects of synthetic hormones, overpopulation, NFP, etc mycatholicfaith.org
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>SOOOOO jealous of you right now. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-yell.gif" border="0" alt="Yell" title="Yell" />

</div>

meltoine

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:3f57adf3-1ae5-4fed-a396-4fc5185de3e1">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : I'm pretty sure this lady doesn't know what she is talking about from the fact that she kept referencing the hormones affected another individual and hormones attract men.  That is such a basic principle that anyone who would actually study this would not make such a large mistake. Sorry, I'm just really upset about that video.  I was interested in it just to realize that it is full of fallacies.   If she had something real to say, yes I would be skeptical at first, but I would do my research and would admit that she/the study is right, but it bothers me so much that she is using whatever she can to support her beliefs, whether they are correct or not. (And if we worked just like that one species of monkey does, shouldn't my DH have zero sexual interest in me?)
Posted by blackfire5th[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I studied biological anthropology for 4 years as an undergrad and I can tell you that actually, she's correct. Your hormones are absorbed by the people around you. Did you ever notice that your menstrual cycle (before the pill) synced up with your sister/mother/roommate/best friend? It's because you absorb each other's hormones and your body reacts to them. Same is true for your husband. That's what causes conditions like sympathetic pregnancy.</div><div>
</div><div>The reason your husband still likes having sex with you is that humans have marginally evolved past the "animal instinct" of sex. Other primates still copulate nearly exclusively to procreate (yes there are exceptions like bonobos and orangutans, but the vast majority do it to procreate) Humans also have sex to bond emotionally. Evidence: the huge oxytocin (pleasure and bonding chemical) rush humans get after orgasm, which doesn't happen in other primates.</div><div>
</div><div>For more evidence:</div><div>
</div><div>Strippers who are not on hormonal birth control make more money from men, especially in the days just before they ovulate. This article hypothesizes that it's because the women act more provocatively, but the first time I read about this study (I can't find that link) hypothesized that it was because the men absorbed the strippers' pheromones and were more attracted to the fertile ones. (Source - Popular Science)</div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://popsci.typepad.com/popsci/2007/10/new-study-ferti.html">http://popsci.typepad.com/popsci/2007/10/new-study-ferti.html</a></div><div>
</div><div>Women who are on hormonal birth control choose mates with different genetic and biological characteristics than they would off BC: (Source - Science Daily)</div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124358.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124358.htm</a>

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blackfire5th

If she knew what she was talking about, she would be able to use the basic proper vocab on the subject.

I'm not trying to say that the basis behind what she is saying does not have any merit, but she herself does not, which leads me to doubt that she has actually done much research on the subject.  I think she is doing a discredit to everyone.

blackfire5th

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:b252b333-d11f-48d7-9b1c-c2899aff3505">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE] Also, I don't mean to threadjack, but I just had to say that overpopulation is a complete myth. Watch Demographic Winter. Birth rates in the West are far below replacement levels for the most part (between 1.0-1.5 births/woman, where 2.1 is the rate needed to maintain population--the US is nearly the only exception to this, and we're just at 2.1) and they're quickly declining in the developing world as well. We're actually in the process of literally committing societal suicide.
Posted by caitriona87[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I hadn't heard this, and thank you for the reference.  

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GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_birth-controlmedical-exception-rules-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:c23c53e3-ffbd-461d-b0b9-922c55d46f47Post:e66619eb-cf2a-4d3d-8ed7-0b53d315b7cb">Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: birth control...medical exception to the rules? (long) : My grandmother had 9 children and still developed ovarian cancer, so that didn't do my grandmother a lot of good in that department. Edit: removed a question because I confused two posters.
Posted by blackfire5th[/QUOTE]

And my mother was on the Pill for 10 years and still developed ovarian cancer (in her 30s, no less), so the Pill sure didn't do her any good in that department, either.  Neither the Pill nor childbearing is a sure thing (studies show the risk reduction is fairly equal), and I don't think I said that they were -- or if I did, I didn't mean to.