Is the Birth Control Pill Abortifacient: Part One
Birth control, often seen as a means for “safe” sexual activity, is used by many women who do not know the full impact of its mechanisms. The question has been raised time and time again whether or not all hormonal contraception causes the death of a preborn child. Are you safe from abortion if you take the birth control pill while being sexually active?
To recap, the definition of contraception is “the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.” Hormonal contraception is a version of preventing pregnancy through hormonal methods. This includes intrauterine devices (IUD), injections, patches, implants, vaginal rings, and the infamous birth control pill (BCP).
Hormonal contraception uses these three mechanisms to avoid pregnancy:
Prevent Ovulation: Generally, once a month, women “ovulate” or release an egg to be fertilized. These synthetic hormones are distributed into your body, telling your brain that you are already pregnant and no longer need to release an egg.
Thickening of the Cervical Mucus: Throughout a regular menstrual cycle, cervical mucus is naturally thinned, making it easier for sperm to reach the egg. These synthetic hormones thicken the mucus to discourage the sperm from travelling.
Thinning of the Endometrium Lining: During a regular menstrual cycle, in the week following ovulation, the uterine wall is thickened in preparation to house a newly fertilized embryo. These synthetic hormones cause this lining to thin, making it inhospitable for a new life attempting to implant after being fertilized.
The first two of these mechanisms are by definition “contraception,” as they attempt to prevent fertilization from occurring. The third mechanism is referred to as “abortifacient.” During a regular pregnancy, an embryo within a few weeks of fertilization will travel down the fallopian tube and implant into the uterus to continue growing. If the uterus has a thin lining, it makes implantation unlikely. Because of the thinning of this uterine lining, the mother has a high chance of losing her baby, often without knowing. This, by definition, is “abortifacient:” it attempts to remove a human before he or she implants, thereby preventing pregnancy.
It is universally recognized that certain forms of hormonal contraception, like the IUD, are by nature abortifacient, but what about the birth control pill (BCP)?
Even though a high efficacy in preventing pregnancy is promised, the BCP is quoted to have a 9% typical use failure rate.[1] Meaning within the first year of going on birth control, 9% of women under this category become pregnant. This represents actual pregnancies, ones that have successfully implanted. In order to become pregnant, ovulation needs to occur. This alone shows that the BCP does not prevent ovulation, nor fertilization, 100% of the time.
One of many options offered in Canada is the APRI 21 and APRI 28 pill. The drug monograph for this medication states: “The primary mechanism of action is inhibition of ovulation, but other alterations include impaired sperm penetration… and changes to the endometrium to reduce the likelihood of implantation.”[2]
Like pro-abortion advocates denying the legitimacy of fetal development, many pro-lifers have denied the conclusion that the BCP is abortifacient. Many believe that this is purely a hypothetical consensus.
Randy Alcorn wrote in great detail on his findings for whether or not this is purely a hypothetical conclusion. He began his research on this topic as a pastor, hoping the answer would be that the BCP was not abortifacient, as he himself was skeptical.[3](pg 12) In his book, “Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?” he quotes a pharmacist, Richard Hill, that he interviewed from a major BCP company called Ortho-McNeil. Alcorn asks, “So you don’t think this is just a theoretical effect of the Pill?” Hill replies:
“Oh, no, it’s not theoretical. It’s observable. We know what an endometrium looks like when it’s rich and most receptive to the fertilized egg. When a woman is taking the Pill you can clearly see the difference, based both on gross appearance - as seen with the naked eye - and under a microscope. At the time when the endometrium would normally accept a fertilized egg, if a woman is taking the Pill it is much less likely to do so.”[3](pg 30)
If we follow the logic of what is happening when someone is on the BCP, eggs are being released and fertilized, and the endometrium is designed to deny implantation. Therefore, the BCP is abortifacient in nature.
Oddly, members on the pro-life side are in denial. At worst they would agree that women deserve to be fully informed about its mechanisms of action. Maybe they would also agree that solutions which include killing people ought not to be considered. At the very least, skeptical individuals should take the time to investigate these facts themselves. Attempting to understand the gravity of such a topic is worthwhile and necessary, especially if it involves the death of innocent babies.
Additionally, on February 29, 2024, the Government of Canada passed “An Act respecting pharmacare.” The legislation appears fantastic, with the promise to make certain prescription medication more accessible financially to Canadians, so that money won’t be a barrier to sick people needing the medication required, i.e., diabetics. The act promises to make a plan for the full coverage of these medications.
For better or for worse, this act includes a plan for universal access to free contraceptives.
To quote Dr. Amanda Black, President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada in supporting free contraception, “Universal contraception coverage will produce immediate benefits for our society and have an intergenerational impact.”[4] [Emphasis added]. Of course, the use of hormonal contraception has already affected us for many generations, including those to come. Or rather: not to come. Ironically, some think we can have this “intergenerational impact” free of cost.
REFERENCES:
[1]Appendix D: Contraceptive effectiveness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published April 25, 2014. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6304a5.htm
[2] Product monograph APRI 21 and APRI 28. Teva Canada Limited. Revised June 12, 2023. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00071215.PDF
[3] Alcorn R. Does the birth control pill cause abortions? Eternal Perspective Ministries; 2007.
[4] Government highlights next steps to universal access to free contraceptives. Government of Canada. Updated April 02, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2024/03/government-highlights-next-step-to-universal-access-to-free-contraceptives.html