Contraception

The issue of contraception has been an extremely controversial and debated one in the Catholic Church. The Catholic religion declares that the three requirements for healthy sexual expression include a mutual physical drive for pleasure, intimacy and committed love between the couple, and the openness to procreation and parenting children. This last aspect is the subject of much disagreement between people both inside and outside the church community. The authoritative voice of the church, the Magisterium, holds that artificial contraception is a sin and only accepts the form of contraception called Natural Family Planning. This method involves avoiding sexual intercourse during certain times of the month and will be explained in more detail shortly. There are situations which are argued should be exceptions, such as rape, a family who already has children and can afford no more, and the overall health of the couple involved in the sexual relationship.

The viewpoint of the Church is an old one, but the Magisterium claims that it will not change anytime soon. There are many different types of contraception available. Type one classified contraception includes barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, the cervical cap, and spermicides. Type two classified contraception is hormonal methods, such as birth control pills, emergency contraception or the “morning after pill,” IUD’s and Norplant. Type three contraception is Natural Family Planning, the only type approved by the Church. Natural Family Planning is sometimes confused with the rhythm method, but it actually more effective than rhythm. NFP is a method that involves careful regulation of a woman’s menstrual cycle to determine when her fertile period falls begins. The day of ovulation and a few days before is considered a woman’s “fertile period” and by either avoiding or participating in intercourse during these days, a woman can decrease or increase her chances of pregnancy respectively. The signs that a...