Question

Why do birth control pills contain hormones?

Answer 1

Birth pills mainly administer progesterone to prevent ovulation; thereby preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Explanation:

Progesterone provides negative feedback on anterior pituitary and stops secretion of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This in turn prevents level of oestrogen to rise; subsequent LH surge is avoided; ovulation is stopped.

Thus birth control pills provide small amount of progesterone in female system to stop ovulation. No eggs become available in fallopian tube for fertilisation.

A false menstrual cycle is maintained by administering small amount of oestrogen for few days every month. This helps in proliferation of uterine endometrial layer. As the pills are withdrawn, some bleeding takes place due to loss of endometrium.

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