Question

Contraceptive oral pills help in birth control by

• A. killing the sperms in uterus
• B. preventing implantation
• C. preventing ovulation
• D. both (b) and (c)

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

preventing ovulation

Answer 2

Fertilization of the ovum and its subsequent implantation is referred to as conception or pregnancy. Prevention of conception is called contraception. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can be taken to change the hormonal balance of the body so that the ovum is not released from the ovary. The pills may contain combinations of the hormones estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Combinations of estrogen and progestin prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the release of the hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. LH and FSH play key roles in the development of the egg and preparation of the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. Progestin also makes the uterine mucus that surrounds the egg more difficult for sperm to penetrate. Since the ovum does not come into the Fallopian tube, it is not fertilized.