Infertility and contraception: nonoxynol-9 spermicide: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Infertility and contraception: nonoxynol-9 spermicide

Sample item

Frequent use of a vaginal spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 is discouraged in women at risk of HIV because it:

ARaises vaginal pH and promotes candidiasisBIrritates the vaginal epithelium and may facilitate HIV acquisitionCSuppresses ovulation and causes amenorrhoeaDIs absorbed and causes hepatotoxicity

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Irritates the vaginal epithelium and may facilitate HIV acquisition

Nonoxynol-9 is a detergent that disrupts sperm membranes but also damages the vaginal and cervical epithelium. Frequent use can increase the risk of acquiring HIV, so it is not recommended for women at high risk.

Option by option

A. Raises vaginal pH and promotes candidiasis
Its main problem is mucosal irritation and not a pH rise causing candidiasis.
B. Irritates the vaginal epithelium and may facilitate HIV acquisition (correct)
Correct. Epithelial damage can facilitate HIV transmission.
C. Suppresses ovulation and causes amenorrhoea
It acts locally on sperm and has no effect on ovulation.
D. Is absorbed and causes hepatotoxicity
It is not significantly absorbed to cause liver toxicity.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Irritates the vaginal epithelium and may facilitate HIV acquisition. Nonoxynol-9 is a detergent that disrupts sperm membranes but also damages the vaginal and cervical epithelium.

Why is "Raises vaginal pH and promotes candidiasis" not the answer?

Its main problem is mucosal irritation and not a pH rise causing candidiasis.

Why is "Suppresses ovulation and causes amenorrhoea" not the answer?

It acts locally on sperm and has no effect on ovulation.

Why is "Is absorbed and causes hepatotoxicity" not the answer?

It is not significantly absorbed to cause liver toxicity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infertility and contraception: nonoxynol-9 spermicide in OBG. Frequent use can increase the risk of acquiring HIV, so it is not recommended for women at high risk.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infertility and contraception: nonoxynol-9 spermicide?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.