“Contra” means against.
Conception is the formation of something new.
Contraception literally means “against the formation of new life.”
Conception is the formation of something new.
Contraception literally means “against the formation of new life.”
Contraception is defined as the “deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse” (Oxford Dictionary). This is to be distinguished from the avoidance of sexual intercourse altogether (i.e. abstinence) during periods of known fertility (for example the Billings method and natural family planning).
In the latter, there is no intercourse and therefore conception is not possible. It is also not to be confused with methods which seek to terminate a pregnancy which has already begun (i.e. from the moment of fertilisation onwards) – for example, so-called “emergency contraception” which aims to terminate an early pregnancy if it has already begun. Its dosage and composition is designed to terminate an early pregnancy rather than act as true contraception. Some contraceptive methods (for example, the progesterone-only pill) also have a very high rate of possible early abortions and thus are better classified as potential abortifacients (that is, to bring on an abortion). All hormonal methods of birth control are potentially abortifacient.
Why Contraception is Not the Answer
Medical or psychological reasons
There are numerous physical and psychological side effects associated with contraceptive drugs.
Some of the most common include:
- weight gain
- acne
- irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding – especially with the progesterone-only pill, Depo provera injections and Implanon.
- mood swings/depressive symptoms
- loss of libido
- Contraception causes a healthy reproductive system to malfunction.
More serious, although less common complications of hormonal contraception include venous thromboembolism (leg and lung clots), stroke, high blood pressure, precipitation of diabetes, adenomas, progression of breast cancer.* These complications are listed in produce packaging inserts. Although, long-term, combined hormonal contraception has also been associated with an increase in the risk of developing breast cancer this will not appear in package inserts.
* Bustan et al.,“Oral Contraceptive Use and Breastcancer in Indonesia.” Contraception, 1993; 47:3, pp 241-49.
Social reasons
Contraception invariably leads to a mentality in which women, in particular, become viewed as objects, and their fertility as a burden to be done away with. This consequence results in the devaluing of the individual, feelings of rejection, worthlessness, and guilt in a relationship. Additionally, the widespread contraceptive mentality that our society has embraced tends to diminish the value placed on children in the family. This, coupled with the association between contraception and divorce that has been consistently recognised in international research, has contributed immensely to the disintegration of the family in Western society.
Also, contrary to popular belief, more contraception does not result in less abortion, but rather the other way around. Even ignoring the abortifacient potential of many so-called contraceptives, it has been consistently shown that the same attitude which allows contraception also encourages abortion when the first option “fails”.
A recent study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health in 2014 states ‘The health equity policy context, availability of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter and high rates of contraceptive use (>70% of Australian women of child-bearing age), should result in lower rates of unplanned pregnancies for Australian women but this has not occurred’. It notes ‘this paradox is perplexing’. They go on to observe that this anomaly exists across other high income countries like the UK and the USA. They draw a conclusion that the G.P. s are missing opportunities to push the morning-after pill, that we need to throw more money at research to ‘unpack the paradox.’
Truth Pack
Articles on our news feed
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De-regulation of abortion pill misses the point
Written by Kathy Clubb 5th August 2023 As of August 1st, chemical abortions will potentially be easier to access across Australia following the federal government’s decision to deregulate the process for prescribing the abortion pill. GPs are no longer required to complete the training and are no longer required to re-register every three years. Additionally, […]
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Barren Beds Over All Tellus – Contraception Revisited
Written by Dom Pius Mary Noonan, O.S.B. Easter, April 2023 “The poison was brewed in these West lands but it has spat itself everywhere by now. However far you went you would find the machines, the crowded cities, the empty thrones, the false writings, the barren beds: men maddened with false promises and soured […]
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IUD causes woman to ‘go into labour’ despite not being pregnant
A woman in her 20s has gone into “labour” despite not being pregnant after she had a contraceptive Intrauterine Device (IUD) inserted. An IUD is a small, T-shaped, flexible device made of plastic and copper that is inserted into the uterus for birth control purposes. The device prevents a newly conceived baby from implanting […]
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Victoria’s Catholic Hospitals Dodge a Bullet
Written by Kathy Clubb In an astounding reversal, a proposed law that would have forced Catholic hospitals to provide abortions was rejected by Victoria’s Upper House this week. Put forward by Fiona Patten of the Reason Party, the Health Legislation (Conscientious Objection) bill was designed to make Catholic and other denominational public hospitals […]
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Why Pro-lifers Must Stand Firm on Contraception
Written by Kathy Clubb It seems that lately, every day brings some new threat, fear or grief, whether from within the Church or our civil leaders who are working in lockstep with the globalists. More mundanely, the media encourages emotional responses with its relentless fear-mongering and scandalous misrepresentations. Fortunately, we Catholics have Scripture, prayer and […]
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Monash contraception backlash demontrates a hijacked language
Written by Kathy Clubb A pro-contraception campaign by Monash University has backfired because of misconceptions around women’s “reproductive health” privacy – the same misconceptions that have been pushed by the abortion industry. The campaign involves encouraging pharmacists to educate women about their contraception choices, and in particular, to promote to women the use of […]
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Non-Catholic opponents of contraception
Written by Kathy Clubb My recent article on the link between contraception and abortion prompted much debate on social media, indicating that many Christians have strong opinions on the subject. This is little wonder, considering that the issue of contraception strikes at the heart of every marriage. But those who so easily adopt the […]
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We can’t end abortion unless we end contraception
Written by Kathy Clubb Will abortion end while we allow contraception? Recently, I had the unique opportunity to give a brief talk on the work of FLI to a group of Protestants. So I decided to focus on the topic of contraception since this is what makes FLI unique and is also something not […]
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Contraception and the Culture of Death
Based on a talk given by Dr Andrew Foong at Good Shepherd Parish Hall, Plumpton November 2012 As Catholics and Christians we are daily confronted with a culture of death in our society and a tragic genocide of unprecedented proportions in abortion, characterised by a blatant disregard for human life. The estimated 62 to 78 […]
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Cory Bernardi – Family Life International speech
The true cost of our cultural decline Judging from the recent media reports about me, you’ll know that I’m not your typical politician. In fact, it’s been said that I’m: “a person without any intellect”[1]… a “homophobic, Islamophobic, climate-change-denying, free-market Christian fundamentalist”[2] and… “Sarah Palin, without the lipstick.”[3] Some may think that’s true, but in the […]
