Question

Which one of the following is NOT an absolute contraindication for oral contraceptive pills?

• A. Nursing mothers
• B. Cancer of breast
• C. Cardiac abnormalities
• D. History of thromboembolism

Hint:

Separate conditions that fully ban the pill from ones that only need a cautious alternative.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept.
Contraindications for combined oral contraceptive pills are split into absolute, where the pill must never be used, and relative, where it is used with caution or avoided only in certain situations. The question wants the one option that is only a relative concern, not an absolute ban.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach.
Each option needs to be checked against whether the pill causes direct, serious harm that rules it out completely, or whether it is simply preferred to delay or use an alternative for a period of time.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation.
Nursing mothers are advised to avoid combined pills mainly because estrogen can reduce milk supply and pass small amounts into breast milk, so progesterone only pills or non hormonal methods are preferred during lactation. This is a relative contraindication tied to timing and choice of pill, not a permanent absolute ban, so option (A) is the exception the question is looking for.
Cancer of the breast is an absolute contraindication because many breast cancers are hormone sensitive, and giving estrogen and progesterone can worsen the disease.
Cardiac abnormalities, especially conditions with a high clotting risk or poor cardiac reserve, are an absolute contraindication because the pill raises clotting tendency and can add strain the heart cannot handle.
A history of thromboembolism is an absolute contraindication because combined pills increase the risk of blood clots, and a person who has already had one clotting event is at much higher risk of another if given estrogen containing pills.

Step 4: Final Answer.
Nursing mothers are not an absolute contraindication for oral contraceptive pills, since lactation only calls for a relative precaution rather than a complete ban.