Endocrine drugs: progestin-only pill in lactation: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Endocrine drugs: progestin-only pill in lactation

Sample item

A woman 8 weeks after delivery is exclusively breastfeeding and wants a daily oral contraceptive. Which type is preferred?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A progestin-only pill

Oestrogen can reduce milk volume and adds thrombotic risk in the early postpartum period, so progestin-only pills are preferred for breastfeeding women. They do not affect lactation.

Option by option

  • A. A combined oestrogen-progestin pill

    Combined pills can reduce milk production and carry a postpartum thrombotic risk.

  • B. A high-dose oestrogen pill

    High-dose oestrogen was used to suppress lactation and would do so here.

  • C. A pill containing an anti-androgen

    An anti-androgen pill is used for hirsutism and acne and is not a contraceptive choice in lactation.

  • D. A progestin-only pill (correct)

    Correct. Progestin-only pills do not reduce milk supply and avoid oestrogen risks.

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.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, A progestin-only pill. Oestrogen can reduce milk volume and adds thrombotic risk in the early postpartum period, so progestin-only pills are preferred for breastfeeding women.

Why is "A combined oestrogen-progestin pill" not the answer?

Combined pills can reduce milk production and carry a postpartum thrombotic risk.

Why is "A high-dose oestrogen pill" not the answer?

High-dose oestrogen was used to suppress lactation and would do so here.

Why is "A pill containing an anti-androgen" not the answer?

An anti-androgen pill is used for hirsutism and acne and is not a contraceptive choice in lactation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: progestin-only pill in lactation in Pharmacology. They do not affect lactation.

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 Endocrine drugs: progestin-only pill in lactation?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.