Many women are prescribed hormonal medication for reasons that have nothing to do with contraception: severe endometriosis, ovarian cysts, heavy bleeding, hormonal disorders and more. Some couples face surgery that will affect fertility. These situations raise sincere questions, and the Church has given a clear principle for them.
The teaching in Humanae Vitae 15
Pope Paul VI wrote that the Church does not consider illicit the use of therapeutic means necessary to cure bodily diseases, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result, provided that impediment is not, for whatever motive, directly intended (Humanae Vitae 15). The Catechism likewise teaches that direct sterilization is contrary to the moral law except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons (CCC 2297).
The key words are "therapeutic" and "directly intended". The Church distinguishes between treating a disease, with infertility as a side effect, and choosing infertility as the goal.
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Sources
- Humanae Vitae 15 Humanae Vitae (Paul VI, 1968), lawful therapeutic means
- CCC 2297 Catechism of the Catholic Church, Respect for bodily integrity
- CCC 1750-1756 Catechism of the Catholic Church, The sources of morality
- CCC 2370 Catechism of the Catholic Church, Periodic continence and contraception