1
Question: What is Grand Ayatollah Sistani's fatwa on the use of IUD and pills by a woman to prevent pregnancy?
Answer: It is permissible for a woman to use Intrauterine Devices (IUD) and other birth control devices provided that they do not pose serious harm to the woman’s health and that the insertion of the device does not involve a harãm act, such as the male touching or looking at the private parts of the woman’s body that are forbidden for him to look at. Similarly, it should not involve the female looking at, and touching without gloves the private parts that are harãm to touch or look at. Moreover, the IUD should not cause the abortion of the fertilized ovum after its implantation [in the womb].
2
Question: Use of contraceptives is popular these days. If use of the pill and similar things causes harm or difficulty and the only remaining choice is (the insertion) of some devices ó by a male or a female doctor ó which requires exposing the local area, is it permissible for the woman, knowing that pregnancy would cause her harm or difficulty?
Answer: It is permissible as long as she faces, in both the pregnancy and the use of alternative contraceptive methods, such hardship and danger that cannot be normally endured. If this requires, in addition to exposing the genital organs, other parts of her body surrounding the genitalia, then she must refer to a female doctor. If this is not possible then she may refer to a male practitioner.
3
Question: There are pills that women take to delay the onset of their monthly cycle in the days of the month of Ramadan and the days of hajj, but sometimes intermittent blood comes out during their cycle, but it does not have the characteristics of a cycle. What is the ruling, if, knowing that if she stops taking the medication, after 3 days, she will have menstrual blood, and with the medication no menstrual blood will come out except intermittently?
Answer: Based on this hypothetical question, the ruling of hayd is not applicable to the intermittent blood. God knows best.
4
Question: What is your ruling on pills that women take in order to delay the onset of their monthly menstrual cycle?
Answer: They are permitted to use them.
5
Question: What about practicing coitus interruptus during intercourse?
Answer: It is allowed.
6
Question: Is it permissible for the husband to force his wife not to get pregnant even though she wants to? He forces her to take pills, injections or use an IUD
Answer: He has no right to do that.
7
Question: Some women wish to avoid pregnancy, but their husbands want (them to get pregnant). Is it permissible to use pills or injections to prevent conception?
Answer: All of these are permissible if they do not entail substantial harm to her.
