Question

Saheli, a female antifertility pill is used
a. Daily
b. Weekly
c. Quarterly
d. Monthly

Answer 1

Antifertility drugs are chemical substances that inhibit the functions of hormones which control and regulate pregnancy processes. These drugs reduce the chances of pregnancy and act as protection.

Complete answer:
- Antifertility drugs are used to control fertility and are commonly known as oral contraceptives. These drugs affect and get involved in the menstrual cycle and ovulation in females so as to prevent fertilization events.

- Oral contraceptive pills or antifertility pills generally have fixed combinations of Estrogen and progesterone that are given as birth control pills.

- A chemical called centchroman or Ormeloxifene is one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators, and a class of drugs that acts on the estrogen receptor. It is popularly known as a non-hormonal, non-steroidal oral contraceptive which should be taken once a week.

- Centchroman has been available in India as birth control or family planning medication since the early 1990s. Now, it is currently marketed under the trade name of Saheli.

- Saheli, was first established at Lucknow at Central Drug Research Institute. Saheli is a mini pill containing only progesterone. For the first three months, Saheli pills should be taken twice a week. After the first three months, it should be consumed in a week.

So, Saheli, a female antifertility pill is used weekly.
Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Additional information:
Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol are some more examples of antifertility drugs that are in common use. Like Saheli, Ormeloxifene is also marketed in India under the trade name of Choice-7.

Note: Almost all antifertility drugs are oral contraceptives that belong to the class of natural chemical products known as steroids. The ultimate purpose of consumption of antifertility drugs is to prevent conception or fertilization. But such contraceptives will not prevent transmission of venereal diseases.