Progesterone MCQs With Answer

Progesterone MCQs With Answer

Progesterone is a steroid hormone central to reproductive pharmacology and therapeutics. This introduction reviews synthesis, physiological actions, receptor pharmacodynamics, metabolic pathways, formulations, and clinical applications relevant to B.Pharm students, including contraception, hormone replacement, luteal support, and endometrial protection. Emphasis is placed on differences between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and common drug interactions. Understanding these concepts aids in rational drug selection, monitoring, and counseling for reproductive health and endocrine disorders. Clear knowledge of progesterone mechanisms and pharmacology prepares students for clinical decisions, research interpretation, and safe medication use. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which is the primary source of progesterone during the luteal phase of a normal menstrual cycle?

• Granulosa cells of the follicle
• Corpus luteum
• Anterior pituitary
• Placenta

Correct Answer: Corpus luteum

Q2. During pregnancy, the predominant organ that produces progesterone after the first trimester is the:

• Ovarian follicle
• Adrenal cortex
• Placenta
• Hypothalamus

Correct Answer: Placenta

Q3. Which two main isoforms of the intracellular progesterone receptor mediate genomic effects?

• PR-A and PR-B
• ER-α and ER-β
• GR-α and GR-β
• AR-A and AR-B

Correct Answer: PR-A and PR-B

Q4. The primary genomic mechanism of progesterone action is best described as:

• Activation of G-protein coupled receptors to generate cAMP
• Binding to nuclear receptors and modulation of gene transcription
• Direct enzyme inhibition in steroidogenesis
• Ion channel blockade in the myometrium

Correct Answer: Binding to nuclear receptors and modulation of gene transcription

Q5. Progesterone transforms the endometrium during the luteal phase into which functional state?

• Proliferative
• Secretory
• Atrophic
• Necrotic

Correct Answer: Secretory

Q6. One major effect of progesterone on the myometrium is to:

• Increase uterine contractility
• Promote uterine involution
• Reduce uterine contractility and promote quiescence
• Cause myometrial hypertrophy

Correct Answer: Reduce uterine contractility and promote quiescence

Q7. Which urinary metabolite is commonly measured as an indicator of progesterone metabolism?

• Estriol
• Pregnanediol (pregnanediol glucuronide)
• 17-hydroxyprogesterone
• Cortisol

Correct Answer: Pregnanediol (pregnanediol glucuronide)

Q8. The principal site of progesterone metabolism is the:

• Liver via reduction and conjugation
• Kidney via filtration only
• Adipose tissue via esterification
• Pancreas via proteolysis

Correct Answer: Liver via reduction and conjugation

Q9. Compared with natural progesterone, many synthetic progestins commonly differ by having:

• Stronger estrogenic effects
• Variable androgenic or glucocorticoid activity
• No effect on cervical mucus
• Reduced oral bioavailability

Correct Answer: Variable androgenic or glucocorticoid activity

Q10. Which progestin is widely used as a long‑acting injectable contraceptive (Depo type)?

• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Drospirenone
• Norethindrone acetate

Correct Answer: Medroxyprogesterone acetate

Q11. For luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology, which route of progesterone administration is commonly preferred?

• Intravenous progesterone
• Oral non-micronized progesterone
• Vaginal progesterone preparations
• Transdermal progesterone patch

Correct Answer: Vaginal progesterone preparations

Q12. Oral micronized progesterone is formulated primarily to overcome which pharmacokinetic issue?

• Poor receptor affinity
• Rapid renal excretion
• Extensive first‑pass hepatic metabolism and low bioavailability
• Inability to cross cell membranes

Correct Answer: Extensive first‑pass hepatic metabolism and low bioavailability

Q13. Which concomitant drug can reduce plasma concentrations of many progestins by inducing hepatic metabolism?

• Ketoconazole
• Rifampin
• Fluoxetine
• Omeprazole

Correct Answer: Rifampin

Q14. Progesterone changes cervical mucus in a way that primarily:

• Makes it more watery and sperm‑friendly
• Thins the mucus to facilitate sperm passage
• Thickens and reduces permeability to sperm
• Stimulates mucus secretion with increased pH

Correct Answer: Thickens and reduces permeability to sperm

Q15. Progesterone receptors belong to which broader receptor family?

• Nuclear steroid hormone receptor superfamily
• Toll‑like receptor family
• Receptor tyrosine kinase family
• Ionotropic receptor family

Correct Answer: Nuclear steroid hormone receptor superfamily

Q16. Which progestin is commonly used as an emergency contraceptive pill (single‑dose option)?

• Medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Levonorgestrel
• Dydrogesterone
• Progesterone (natural oral)

Correct Answer: Levonorgestrel

Q17. Which synthetic progestin has notable anti‑mineralocorticoid and anti‑androgenic properties and is used in some combined oral contraceptives?

• Levonorgestrel
• Drospirenone
• Norethindrone
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate

Correct Answer: Drospirenone

Q18. Progesterone causes which change in basal body temperature during the luteal phase?

• Decrease in basal body temperature
• No change in basal body temperature
• Increase in basal body temperature
• Irregular fluctuations without pattern

Correct Answer: Increase in basal body temperature

Q19. Measurement of mid‑luteal serum progesterone is clinically useful to:

• Diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome directly
• Confirm recent ovulation and luteal function
• Assess ovarian reserve quantitatively
• Monitor response to estrogen therapy

Correct Answer: Confirm recent ovulation and luteal function

Q20. Progesterone receptors are prominently expressed in which reproductive tissues?

• Endometrium and myometrium
• Renal tubules and adrenal medulla
• Skeletal muscle and cartilage
• Pancreatic islets and thyroid

Correct Answer: Endometrium and myometrium

Q21. Therapeutically, progesterone is used to treat which of the following reproductive conditions?

• Luteal phase deficiency
• Hyperthyroidism
• Type 1 diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease

Correct Answer: Luteal phase deficiency

Q22. Which progestin is known for relatively higher androgenic activity and is associated with acne and hirsutism in some users?

• Drospirenone
• Levonorgestrel
• Drospirenone‑acetate
• Micronized progesterone

Correct Answer: Levonorgestrel

Q23. Progesterone influence on endometrial estrogen receptor expression is to:

• Upregulate estrogen receptor expression
• Downregulate estrogen receptor expression
• Convert estrogen receptor to androgen receptor
• No effect on estrogen receptors

Correct Answer: Downregulate estrogen receptor expression

Q24. Chemically, natural progesterone is classified as a:

• C19 androgen steroid
• C21 pregnane steroid hormone
• Peptide hormone
• Thyroid hormone analogue

Correct Answer: C21 pregnane steroid hormone

Q25. One principal contraceptive mechanism of progestin in combined or progestin‑only methods is:

• Enhancement of follicle stimulating hormone secretion
• Suppression of the LH surge and inhibition of ovulation
• Stimulation of estrogen synthesis
• Direct spermicidal action in the vagina

Correct Answer: Suppression of the LH surge and inhibition of ovulation

Q26. Which intrauterine system releases levonorgestrel locally to provide contraception and endometrial suppression?

• MIRENA (levonorgestrel IUS)
• Copper T (Cu‑T)
• Skyla (estrogen patch)
• LNG oral tablet

Correct Answer: MIRENA (levonorgestrel IUS)

Q27. Long‑term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) has been associated with which adverse effect?

• Improved bone mineral density
• Decreased bone mineral density
• Renal failure
• Hyperthyroidism

Correct Answer: Decreased bone mineral density

Q28. Many synthetic progestins are metabolized predominantly by which cytochrome P450 isoenzyme?

• CYP1A2
• CYP2D6
• CYP3A4
• CYP2C19

Correct Answer: CYP3A4

Q29. Which progesterone receptor antagonist is used in medical termination of pregnancy by blocking progesterone action?

• Mifepristone (RU‑486)
• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Dydrogesterone

Correct Answer: Mifepristone (RU‑486)

Q30. In hormone replacement therapy for a woman with an intact uterus, progesterone is combined with estrogen primarily to:

• Increase estrogen potency systemically
• Prevent estrogen‑induced endometrial hyperplasia
• Enhance libido
• Reduce estrogen absorption

Correct Answer: Prevent estrogen‑induced endometrial hyperplasia

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com