Question

What are the hormones present in the contraceptive pills used by women?

• A. Estrogen and progestin
• B. Progesterone and LH
• C. Estrogen and LH
• D. FSH and LH

Answer 1

The correct option is A Estrogen and progestin

Birth control pills (BCPs) or contraceptive pills contain man-made forms of 2 hormones called estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone).

BCPs that contain both estrogen and progestin are called combined pills and those that have progestin only are called mini pills.

Both estrogen and progestin in the pill prevent a woman’s ovary from releasing the egg during her menstrual cycle. Hence these pills work by preventing ovulation.

Progestins also make the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky. This helps to prevent sperms from entering the uterus.

FSH and LH are not used in contraceptive pills. Both FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland. FSH promotes follicle development and LH causes ovulation and formation of corpus luteum.