Question

Consider the following statements: Use of oral contraceptive pills confers additional protection against
1. Fibroadenoma
2. Ectopic pregnancy
3. Ovarian cysts and iron deficiency anemia
Which of these statements are correct?

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Hint:

Oral contraceptive pills have several non contraceptive benefits beyond preventing pregnancy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Oral contraceptive pills do more than stop pregnancy. This question checks whether you know their extra protective effects on the body.

1. Fibroadenoma: Steady hormone levels from the pill are linked with fewer benign breast lumps such as fibroadenoma, so this protection is real.
2. Ectopic pregnancy: Since the pill blocks ovulation, there is no egg available to be fertilised in the first place, so the chance of any pregnancy, tubal or otherwise, drops. This protection is real too.
3. Ovarian cysts and iron deficiency anemia: With ovulation suppressed, the follicle based cysts that would normally form each cycle are far less common. Periods also become lighter, so less blood and iron are lost over months and years, cutting the risk of iron deficiency anemia. This protection holds as well.

Since every one of the three claims checks out against how the pill actually works in the body, none of them can be left out.

So the correct answer is that all three statements, fibroadenoma protection, ectopic pregnancy protection, and protection against ovarian cysts with iron deficiency anemia, are correct.