Which one of the following oral contraceptives contain a non-steroidal preparation?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Saheli
Most oral contraceptive pills contain small doses of progestogen or a progestogen-estrogen combination. These are steroids.
(1) LNG-20 — Incorrect. This is a hormone-releasing intra-uterine device. It releases a steroid hormone, levonorgestrel.
(2) Multiload 375 — Incorrect. This is a copper-releasing intra-uterine device. It is not a pill.
(3) Saheli — Correct. Saheli is a new oral contraceptive for females, made at the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. It contains a non-steroidal preparation. It is taken once a week.
(4) Progestasert — Incorrect. This is a hormone-releasing intra-uterine device. It releases the steroid progesterone.
NCERT Extract:
Contraceptive Methods – “… 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.”
Contraceptive Methods – “… Pills are very effective with lesser side effects and are well accepted by the females. Saheli –the new oral contraceptive for the females contains a non-steroidal preparation. It is a ‘once a week’ pill with very few side effects and high contraceptive value.”