Which of the following are given in small oral doses to females as contraceptive pills?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Both (1) and (3)
Oral contraceptive pills contain small doses of female sex hormones. NCERT says they contain either progestogens alone or progestogen-estrogen combinations. Both forms are correct, so the answer covers both.
Option (1) Progestogens alone — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. NCERT says pills can contain progestogens alone.
Option (2) Prolactin-oxytocin combinations — Incorrect. Prolactin and oxytocin are hormones of milk production and milk ejection or birth. They are not used in contraceptive pills.
Option (3) Progestogen-estrogen combinations — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. Combination pills contain progestogen together with estrogen.
NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “Oral administration of small doses of either progestogens or progestogen–estrogen combinations is another contraceptive method used by the females. They are used in the form of tablets and hence are popularly called the pills.”