Misconceptions About Sterilization

In the last few weeks I seem to have fielded more questions than usual on the subject of sterilization. Not surprising, given the shocking statistics Dr. Keenan has provided us in her article on this topic (see President’s Perspective). Since the questions often have a recurring theme, I would like to address a few commonly held misconceptions (pardon the pun) about sterilization.

Misconception #1

Sterilization for medical reasons
And what exactly would the medical indication be, for destroying a normal, healthy body part? In this case, not that it is diseased or malfunctioning, but in fact that it is working a little too well, insuring the union of egg and sperm. Of  course, when physicians recommend sterilization for medical reasons what they really mean is there are medical contraindications to pregnancy, not that there are medical reasons for tubal ligation. But even in the case of serious medical reasons to avoid a future pregnancy, there remains the question of how best to do that, considering the moral, relational, spiritual and health implications. The articles in this edition mention some of the consequences, and regrets, of surgical sterilization, from both a professional and personal perspective. Fortunately, there are better options for those with serious reasons to avoid pregnancy.

Serious reason to avoid a pregnancy is reason to be serious about your use of Natural Family Planning! It is important for these couples to work closely with an NFP Professional to receive guidance in applying NFP to obtain maximum effectiveness. Some couples find peace of mind in refraining from marital relations until after ovulation has occurred. I have worked with couples with very serious reasons for avoiding a pregnancy, and some of them have opted to obtain a blood test to check progesterone levels on Peak plus three, and 24 hours later have laboratory confirmation ovulation has occurred, providing them the confidence  they need that the remainder of the cycle is infertile. NFP is highly effective when normal instructions are applied, but when medical reasons trigger high anxiety over possibility of pregnancy, these additional measures can provide added assurance, and rival the effectiveness of sterilization to avoid a pregnancy.

Misconception #2
The loophole: When only one spouse is Catholic, the non-Catholic spouse can just become sterilized 
I even knew one couple who subscribed so completely to this “theology” that they hurriedly moved up the date of his vasectomy so it would be “taken care of” before his pending baptism into the Catholic faith at Easter. When we reduce natural law to a set of rules and prohibitions, we can always find loopholes.

I worked with another couple, who informed me at the end of one of our appointments that it would be their last as he was getting a vasectomy. She burst into tears as he spoke. That was probably twenty years ago, but with a sad heart I can still see her, sitting at my kitchen table sobbing, while he stroked her back, and explained to me that since she was Catholic (and in fact a former nun) and he was not, he had to be the one to make this decision for both of them.

Sometimes the Catholic spouse may be heartbroken as in this second example, other times they may be relieved, as in the first example, but they are always impacted. It is simply the nature of it that BOTH engage from that point forward in a permanently contracepted act.

Misconception #3
It is the Manly thing to do
Men sometimes submit to vasectomy as an act of generosity, desiring to spare their wife the side effects of the pill. It is good that husbands are mindful of their wife’s health, and while their motives might be pure,  their means does permit them to indulge their sexual desire without restraint. The authentically generous and selfless response of a husband would be self denial during the days they would conceive a child.  Now THAT is manly.