Question

Progesterone is a hormone that is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy in a female. How can it act as a contraceptive?

• A. High progesterone levels reduce the secretion of gonadotropins, thus preventing ovulation.
• B. High levels of progesterone cause the endometrial lining to rupture and bleed out before implantation can occur.
• C. High levels of progesterone cause early contraction of the uterus leading to the expulsion of zygote.
• D. High levels of progesterone can cause endometriosis.

Answer 1

The correct option is A High progesterone levels reduce the secretion of gonadotropins, thus preventing ovulation.

Progesterone is an important pregnancy maintaining hormone. It is absolutely essential for pregnancy. For the first 3 months of pregnancy, corpus luteum (formed from the degenerated Graafian follicle) takes up the work of progesterone secretion. Then, after 3 months, this job is taken up by the placenta. We have noticed that during pregnancy, there is no menstrual cycle. This is because of the circulating levels of progesterone. Also, in a normal menstrual cycle, we have noticed that, during the luteal phase, the increased level of progesterone suppresses the release of LH and FSH due to which there is no growth of ovarian follicles, which results in no ovulation. Hence, we can see that progesterone can act as a contraceptive as high levels of it reduce the secretion of gonadotropins.
High level of progesterone is actually required for the maintenance of the endometrial lining. Rupture occurs in the absence of progesterone.
Progesterone is required to prevent the early contraction of uterus. Progesterone doesn’t allow the uterus to contract.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue starts developing in other parts of the female reproductive system. Hormonal pills have a few non contraceptive uses as well. One of them is to overcome the problem of endometriosis.