Should Christians Use Birth Control?

Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?: A Short Condensation by Randy Alcorn - Lay-person friendly summary of research that shows oral contraceptives prevent implantation

Investigating the Birth Control Pill from Reformed Perspective - Lay-person friendly from a Christian perspective

Highlights from Prescribing Information for Mirena

• "Studies of Mirena and similar LING IUS prototypes have suggested several mechanisms that prevent pregnancy: thickening of cervical mucus preventing passage of sperm into the uterus, inhibition of sperm capacitation or survival, and alteration of the endometrium." (Section 12.1)
• "Ovulation is inhibited in some women using Mirena. In a 1-year study, approximately 45% of menstrual cycles were ovulatory, and in another study after 4 years, 75% of cycles were ovulatory." (Section 12.2)

Canadian Contraception Consensus

• Oral contraception: "Development of endometrial atrophy, making the endometrium unreceptive to implantation" (p. 221)
• Patch: "Other mechanisms of action may include the development of endometrial atrophy making the endometrium unreceptive to implantation" (p. 227)
• Ring: "Other mechanisms of action may include the development of endometrial atrophy making the endometrium unreceptive to implantation and cervical mucus changes that impede sperm transport." (p. 230)
• Injectable: "Its mechanism of action is primarily by inhibition of ovulation." ("Primarily" implies other methods.) (p. 231)
• Progestin-only pills: "Endometrial changes, reducing the potential for implantation, may occur." (p. 238)
• All IUDs: "If fertilization does occur, IUDs also appear to have post-fertilization effects, including the potential inhibition of implantation." (p. 249)

Options for Sexual Health (Formerly Canadian branch of Planned Parenthood) - Even this group is upfront about the mechanism of making implantation difficult by thinning the lining of the uterus.

Mirena website - See "How does Mirena work to prevent pregnancy?"

Taking Charge of Your Fertility - Website and book educating women on their cycles and how to practice the Fertility Awareness Method (Non-Christian perspective)

Serena - Local network of teachers for Natural Family Planning

HealthLink BC - Barrier methods info but frequently mentions emergency contraception as a backup