Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

The correct answer highlights one of the primary mechanisms by which oral contraceptives exert their estrogenic effects. Oral contraceptives work mainly by inhibiting ovulation, which is achieved through the suppression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). When these hormones are inhibited, the ovaries do not receive the signals needed to mature and release an egg, thus preventing ovulation.

This suppression of FSH and LH is crucial for the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, as it directly contributes to preventing pregnancy. Additionally, the estrogen component of these contraceptives helps stabilize the endometrial lining and reduce the likelihood of breakthrough bleeding, further enhancing contraceptive efficacy.

While increased estrogen levels are associated with oral contraceptives, as seen in the correct answer, simply having higher estrogen levels does not account for the contraceptive action the way suppression of ovulation does. Therefore, recognizing the role of FSH and LH suppression provides a clearer understanding of the contraceptive's mechanism in preventing ovulation, thereby achieving its primary goal. The other options, such as suppression of desire or promotion of ovulation, do not accurately reflect the mechanisms at work in oral contraceptives.