A 28-year-old woman with PCOS is prescribed combined oral contraceptive pills for cycle regulation. Which component of the COCP primarily suppresses ovarian androgen production?
- A Ethinyl estradiol by suppressing LH ✓
- B Ethinyl estradiol by increasing SHBG
- C The progestin by suppressing FSH
- D The progestin by increasing androgen clearance
Correct answer: A. Ethinyl estradiol by suppressing LH
Explanation
The estrogen component (ethinyl estradiol) in COCPs suppresses LH secretion from the pituitary, which reduces LH-driven ovarian theca cell androgen production. While estrogen also increases SHBG (reducing free testosterone), the primary mechanism for suppressing ovarian androgen production is LH suppression. Progestins alone do not effectively suppress ovarian androgen synthesis.
Reference: Yen & Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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