Question

Oral administration of small doses of which of the following hormonal drugs are popular contraceptive methods used by the females?
(a)Progesterone
(b)Progesterone and estrogen
(c)Lactogen
(d)Both A and B

Answer 1

Hint: Oral contraceptives are an effective method of birth control in women. They are hormonal tablets that prevent pregnancy when ingested in small doses. They contain hormones that are essential for the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in females.

Complete answer:
Progesterone is a hormone that is naturally produced in females. It is also called ‘pregnancy hormone’ as it is essential before and during pregnancy.
Estrogen is one of the two main sex hormones seen in women and is responsible for female physical features and reproduction.
In most oral contraceptive pills, the constituent is either progestogen alone in the form of progesterone or progestin or a combination of progesterone with estrogen. These pills provide birth control and inhibition of pregnancy by acting in the following ways.
-Inhibition of ovulation
-Alteration in uterine endometrium to make it unsuitable for implantation
-Changes in cervical mucus that impairs the ability to allow the passage and transport of sperms
-Inhibition of motility and secretions of the fallopian tubes
Some actions occur only upon progesterone administration while some occur only in presence of estrogen. The pills need to be taken orally for 21 days in a menstrual cycle, starting the 5th day of the cycle and ending on the 25th day.
So, the correct answer is, “Both A and B”

Note: -Estrogen is one of the two chief female sex hormones but it is also produced by males in small quantities.
-Lactogen in the form of prolactin is a hormone found in the females that stimulates the production of milk. This hormone does not help in birth control in any way.