Question

Which hormone-based contraceptive prevents ovulation?

• A. Copper-T
• B. Condoms
• C. Oral pills
• D. Diaphragm

Hint:

Remember "Saheli", a non-steroidal oral contraceptive pill developed by the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow, India.
It contains centchroman, which acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), preventing implantation rather than inhibiting ovulation, taken once a week with very few side effects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question belongs to Reproductive Health in the NCERT Class 12 curriculum.
We need to identify which of the given contraceptives is hormone-based and works by preventing ovulation in the female reproductive cycle.

Step 2: Key Concept or Approach:
Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic derivatives of progesterone (progestogens) either alone or in combination with estrogen.
These hormones alter the feedback loop of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, suppressing the secretion of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), thereby preventing follicular development and ovulation.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Oral contraceptive pills (commonly known as oral pills) are daily tablet-like formulations containing progestogen or a progestogen-estrogen combination.

• Their primary mechanism of action involves:
- Suppressing the pituitary gland's release of gonadotropins, which inhibits ovulation (no egg is matured or released).
- Altering the endometrium of the uterus to make it non-receptive, preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.
- Increasing the viscosity of cervical mucus, which acts as a barrier preventing sperms from entering the uterine cavity.

• Let us analyze why the other options are incorrect:
-

Copper-T: An Intrauterine Device (IUD) that releases copper ions to suppress sperm motility and fertilizing capacity; it is non-hormonal.
-

Condoms: Barrier methods made of latex that physically block sperm from entering the female reproductive tract.
-

Diaphragms: Reusable rubber barriers inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix, physically blocking sperm entry.



Step 4: Final Answer:
The hormone-based contraceptive that prevents ovulation is Oral pills, which corresponds to option (C).