Another Word About Birth Control

Today’s post is a second follow-up to my original post last week about birth control, religion, and ethics.

I see that this subject ignites great conversation and I appreciate that. I want to clarify a few things.

First, of course I know what Natural Family Planning is; but in my mind, I still consider the methods to follow the “rhythm” of a woman’s cycles, so I refer to it as that. Many of my readers are not Catholic and still refer to NFP as “the rhythm method” in some circles, and I wanted to make sure everyone knew what I was talking about.

Second, I don’t talk to patients about NFP because I am a pediatrician! Remember, I am NOT a family doctor or an obstetrician/gynecologist, as many of you may have forgotten. When I speak to my patients about sexual activity, they are not married and my advice is always about how to encourage them to stop having sex.

I feel strongly that it is important to remember that we are on the same team here. Our cumulative goal with kids is to teach them abstinence (chastity, if you prefer). The issue I have raised is not about NFP, and I think that many of you are missing the mark here. This is not a discussion on which is the best way to manipulate childbearing, whether it is NFP or oral contraceptives.

I simply was asking for your opinions regarding the dilemmas that many pediatricians like me face, regarding hormonal birth control when girls refuse to be abstinent from sex.

Thank you all for taking the time to write.

Meg