BIOETHICAL ISSUE: CONTRACEPTION

Contraception

• A method or act of preventing the fertilization of a female’s egg cell inside a woman’s body before and during sexual intercourse.

• Calendar Method

• Contraceptive Pills

• Intrauterine Device

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION Prior to Sexual Intercourse

Hormonal Methods

Examples: Pills, patches, injections, implants.
Contain estrogen and progestin.
How they work:

• Prevent ovulation

• Thicken cervical mucus

• Thin uterine lining to prevent implantation

2. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Key features:

Long-acting (3–10 years)

Very effective

Works immediately after insertion

(Hormonal IUD) (Copper IUD)

Kinds of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Hormonal IUD

• Releases progestin

• Thickens mucus, affects sperm movement, may stop ovulation

Copper IUD

No hormones

Copper creates a toxic environment for sperm

1. Hormonal Methods

2. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

3. Barrier Methods

4. Fertility Awareness Methods

TYPES OF CONTRACEPTION

Barrier Methods

Examples: Condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps

Function: Physically block sperm from reaching the egg.

Condoms also prevent STIs.

Fertility Awareness Methods

Track fertile and infertile days based on:

• Menstrual cycle

• Basal body temperature

• Cervical mucus

Includes Calendar Method and Standard Days (Bead) Method.

• Condoms

• Spermicides

• Coitus interruptus

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

During Sexual Intercourse

(CALENDAR METHOD) (5)

• Menstrual cycle is monitored

• Mainly concerns women who experience a regular flow

of menstruation (28+3days)

• This method allows the “safe period” of (__) days before

and after the menstrual period.

• Affected by stress, illness, lifestyle changes

STANDARD DAYS METHOD (CYCLE BEADS)

Uses 32 beads representing each cycle day.

Works only for cycles 26–32 days long.

White beads

Pregnancy is most likely

Red bead

first day of your period

Dark brown bead

tells you if your cycle is shorter than 26 days

Brown bead 

pregnancy is very unlikelyl

(CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS)

(§ Nausea

§ Vomiting headache

§ Hypertension

§ Impaired vision

§ Stroke

§ Heart attack)

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

• Suppress ovulation

• Thicken the lining of cervical mucus

Importance:

• Highly effective when taken daily

• Regulates periods

• Reduces cramps and bleeding

• Can lower risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer

• Side effects:

(INTRAUTERINE DEVICE) (o Bleeding o Cramping o Uterine infection)

(__________________)

• T-shaped device inserted inside the uterus

• Side effects:

CONDOMS

• Trap the semen once it is ejaculated

• May include spermicides

• Prevent pregnancy and STIs

• Made of latex, polyurethane, or natural membrane

• Should be used from start to end of intercourse

• Store in cool, dry place

• Use water-based lubricants with latex condoms

SPERMICIDES

• Chemicals that are placed in the opening of the vagina and are in the form of creams, jellies, or foam tablets.

• that kill or immobilize sperm

• Often used with condoms or diaphragms for added protection

  Non-hormonal option

COITUS INTERRUPTUS (WITHDRAWAL METHOD)

• Male withdraws before ejaculation

• No cost, no hormones

• Least reliable because pre-ejaculate may contain sperm

• Requires high self-control

1. generation of new life

2. unitive and procreative

MORAL ISSUES IN THE USE OF CONTRACEPTION

1. Arbitrary frustration of the (________________)

2. Arbitrary separation between the (_______________) meanings of the conjugal act.

Religious and Moral Views

• Catholic Church prohibits artificial contraception.

• Only natural family planning is accepted.

• Based on belief that sexual acts must remain open to procreation.

Intrinsic Moral Issues

Seen as interfering with the natural process of conception

Separates the unitive (love) and procreative purposes of sex

Extrinsic Moral Issues

• Possible effects on marital relationships

• Health risks from hormonal methods

• Concerns about population control and autonomy

• Intrinsic

• Extrinsic

MORAL ISSUES IN USING CONTRACEPTION

Morally Right

• Asks whether or not contraception is the right thing to do in order to the control increasing population

Morally Good

• From a woman’s point of view based on a set of norms and values

Pope Pius XII

• Continued the Church’s opposition to artificial contraception

• Supported teachings from earlier documents like Casti Connubii (1930)

Humanae Vitae (1968) – Pope Paul VI

• Strongly prohibits artificial contraception

• Encourages natural family planning

• States that any act preventing procreation is morally wrong

Morally Right?

CONTRACEPTION AND SOCIETY

Depends on goals:

• Can help manage overpopulation

• Must respect individual autonomy

• Should be part of broader health and education programs

Morally Good? (Women’s Perspective)

Based on norms and values, contraception may:

• Empower women

• Support education and careers

• Reduce health risks from frequent pregnancies