Question

Assertion: Saheli, the new oral contraceptive for the females contains a steroidal preparation.
Reason: Saheli is taken daily without a break.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

Answer 1

Hint: Saheli is also known as ‘ormeloxifene’, another name for this contraceptive is ‘centchroman’. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator commonly known as SERMs. This is a class of medication that reacts with the estrogen receptors in the body.

Complete answer: Saheli is an oral contraceptive pill for females. It comprises non-steroidal preparation. Saheli is taken once a week and has very few side effects as compared to other contraceptives and very high contraceptive value. The failure rate of Saheli is around 1-2% only with standard usage, that is somewhat less effective than other combined oral contraceptive preparations.
In India, ormeloxifene is marketed under the brand name Saheli. Ormeloxifene is also licensed under the other brand names such as Novex-DS, Centron, etc. Saheli or ormeloxifene is mainly used as a contraceptive pill but it is also effective for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and in some cases advanced breast cancer. Saheli is taken twice per week for the first twelve weeks. It is taken once per week from the thirteenth week of usage. The standard dosage of Saheli contraceptive pill is 30 mg weekly. However, a 60 mg dosage can reduce pregnancy rates by about 38%.
So, the correct answer is option D.

Note: Ormeloxifene is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator). Its action is estrogenic in some parts of the body like bones. While in other parts of the body like uterus, breasts, its action is antiestrogenic. Ormeloxifene causes a disruption in the menstrual cycle in between the period of ovulation and the development of the inner lining of the uterus.