The 'Chhaya' oral contraceptive pill introduced under India's public sector family planning programme is a centchroman-based pill. Its mechanism of action is:
- A Combined estrogen-progestin pill suppressing ovulation
- B Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) — non-steroidal, causing asynchrony between ovulation and uterine receptivity ✓
- C Progestin-only pill thickening cervical mucus
- D Prostaglandin-based abortifacient preventing implantation
Correct answer: B. Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) — non-steroidal, causing asynchrony between ovulation and uterine receptivity
Explanation
Centchroman (Ormeloxifene/Saheli) is a once-a-week non-steroidal oral contraceptive developed by CDRI Lucknow and distributed under the name 'Chhaya' in India's public programme. It acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), creating asynchrony between ovulation and endometrial receptivity/transport, preventing implantation without suppressing ovulation or affecting menstrual hormones. It has fewer hormonal side effects than estrogen-progestin pills.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.