The Pill's dark secrets

Valerie Nahmad, of the Chicago Tribune (registration required), writes a pretty biased, but nonetheless interesting article concerning one of the many side effects of the birth control pill: sexual dysfunction.

The exact cause is unknown and the issue is rarely discussed, but it is a medical fact that oral contraceptives can cause sexual dysfunction in women, often in the form of decreased libido, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.

The issue has been studied only twice since the pill's appearance in American markets 40 years ago. Research is so insufficient that doctors do not know which pills are more likely to cause sexual dysfunction, which patients are more likely to suffer from it or how to best treat it. Doctors speculate that the effect is triggered by the pill's manipulation of various hormones, including testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, but they cannot say for sure.

Of course, this particular side effect is minor when compared to the fact that one of the safe-guard functions of the pill, should breakthrough ovulation occur, is to reduce the entrometrial lining in the uterus in order to prevent embryonic implantation, which basically results in an abortion when the embryo is then discarded (Some estimate that this occurs as many as 3 or 4 times per woman, per year) - and also when compared with the pill's potential risks for breast cancer and other problems, which is currently being studied, caused by the pill's manipulation of various hormones that basically force a woman's body to malfunction in its attempts to suppress ovulation. It is for this reason that the pill should not be considered medication, as though it was something that helps the body heal from some disease, unless you consider children a disease.

Nahmad also says this:

Indeed, there are several benefits to oral contraception, most notably its role in liberating women from pregnancy concerns.

When children are something people have to be liberated from, the future of our civilization is grim indeed. What did I say about considering children a disease?

I am so grateful and appreciative for the Catholic Church's beautiful teaching on human sexuality, which stand against the pervasive lies in our society and seeks to affirm the human dignity of both woman and man and the sacred, sacramental nature of the sexual act itself. The Church inspires me to speak up for truth and human dignity even when it's counter-cultural. For more information on approved methods of natural family planning, or to network with couples throughout the nation who practice it, contact the Couple-To-Couple League.

Thanks to Alicia at Fructus Ventris for the article link.