How do combined contraceptives work during the ovulatory phase?

• A. Increasing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
• B. Decreasing follicle-stimulating hormone and increasing luteinizing hormone
• C. Suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones
• D. Increasing the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

Answer: (C)

Combined contraceptives, which typically include both estrogen and progestin, work by suppressing the natural hormonal cycle that regulates ovulation. During the ovulatory phase, the goal of these contraceptives is to prevent ovulation from occurring altogether. They achieve this primarily by inhibiting the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), both of which are critical for the development and release of an egg from the ovary.

By suppressing FSH, these contraceptives prevent the growth of ovarian follicles, while the suppression of LH stops the eventual triggering of ovulation. Without the peak in LH that usually causes the release of an egg, ovulation does not occur, effectively preventing pregnancy. Therefore, the correct choice illustrates the mechanism through which combined contraceptives exert their contraceptive effects during the ovulatory phase by managing the levels of these hormones.