Can the contraceptive pill be taken for medical reasons?
A. The Church, moreover, does allow the use of medical treatment necessary for curing diseases of the body although this treatment may thwart one’s ability to procreate. Such treatment is permissible even if the reduction of fertility is foreseen, as long as the infertility is not directly intended for any reason whatsoever. Humanae Vitae #15 Pope Paul VI uses the Principle of Double Effect to come to this conclusion. The definition of the Principle of Double Effect is: one act, which is good in itself, has two effects. One is the intended good effect and the second is the unintended yet foreseen evil effect. The good effect has to be proportionately greater than the evil effect. The good effect in this case is the healing of a disease. In doing so, the woman’s fertility is going to be compromised. All the parties involved know this from the outset. Some cautions: • Use of the contraceptive pill may provide relief of symptoms, but the doctor may not have diagnosed the cause of the prob
