Pill on shabbat

I am considering switching to the pill from my current form of birth control and couldn't help wondering:
Given that medications are generally not permitted on shabbat for people who are not seriously ill, why does this never come up in discussions of halakhic issues with the pill?
thanks.



Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

There is no debate about the permissibility of birth control pills on Shabbat because these pills are generally used by healthy women. Furthermore, they are not meant to prevent disease (since pregnancy is not a sickness), and therefore do not fall into the category of medicine.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases.

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