Progesterone MCQs With Answer

Progesterone MCQs With Answer offer B. Pharm students a focused review of progesterone’s pharmacology, clinical applications, formulations, and safety profile. This set covers biochemical synthesis, receptor pharmacodynamics, progestin analogues, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic uses in contraception and hormone replacement, adverse effects, drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. Emphasis is placed on mechanisms of action, differences between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins, dosage forms (oral, injectable, intrauterine), and relevant clinical scenarios like luteal support and emergency contraception. These MCQs are crafted to deepen understanding, improve exam readiness, and reinforce critical points in reproductive pharmacotherapy. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which receptor mediates the genomic effects of progesterone in target tissues?

• Estrogen receptor alpha
• Progesterone receptor (PR)
• Androgen receptor
• Glucocorticoid receptor

Correct Answer: Progesterone receptor (PR)

Q2. Progesterone is primarily synthesized in which ovarian structure during the luteal phase?

• Granulosa cells of the follicle
• Theca interna
• Corpus luteum
• Cumulus oophorus

Correct Answer: Corpus luteum

Q3. Which of the following is a major hepatic metabolic pathway for progesterone?

• Glucuronidation and sulfation
• Renal conjugation
• Direct excretion unchanged
• Decarboxylation

Correct Answer: Glucuronidation and sulfation

Q4. Which synthetic progestin is commonly used in depot injection formulations for contraception?

• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
• Norethindrone acetate
• Drospirenone

Correct Answer: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)

Q5. Progesterone’s effect on the endometrium during the luteal phase is to:

• Proliferate endometrial glands
• Differentiate and secretory transformation
• Cause immediate shedding
• Stimulate heavy bleeding

Correct Answer: Differentiate and secretory transformation

Q6. Which formulation of progesterone has improved bioavailability by bypassing first-pass hepatic metabolism?

• Oral micronized progesterone
• Intramuscular oil-based progesterone
• Transdermal progesterone
• Rectal suppository

Correct Answer: Intramuscular oil-based progesterone

Q7. Mifepristone acts clinically as a:

• Progesterone receptor agonist
• Progesterone receptor antagonist
• Estrogen receptor antagonist
• Aromatase inhibitor

Correct Answer: Progesterone receptor antagonist

Q8. Which progestin is noted for anti-androgenic activity and is used in combined oral contraceptives?

• Levonorgestrel
• Norethisterone
• Drospirenone
• Desogestrel

Correct Answer: Drospirenone

Q9. A principal contraceptive action of progestins is mediated by:

• Enhancing ovulation
• Inhibiting ovulation and thickening cervical mucus
• Increasing endometrial receptivity
• Stimulating follicular growth

Correct Answer: Inhibiting ovulation and thickening cervical mucus

Q10. Which enzyme family is primarily responsible for hepatic metabolism of many synthetic progestins?

• Cyclooxygenases (COX)
• Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes
• Monoamine oxidases (MAO)
• Acetylcholinesterases

Correct Answer: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes

Q11. Progesterone increases body temperature slightly during the luteal phase by acting on:

• Hypothalamic thermoregulatory center
• Medullary respiratory center
• Spinal motor neurons
• Peripheral vasculature only

Correct Answer: Hypothalamic thermoregulatory center

Q12. Which adverse effect is most classically associated with progestin-only contraceptives?

• Hypertension in all users
• Irregular bleeding or spotting
• Severe hyperglycemia
• Immediate infertility

Correct Answer: Irregular bleeding or spotting

Q13. Progesterone plays a critical role in pregnancy maintenance by:

• Stimulating uterine contractions
• Suppressing maternal immune response and supporting endometrium
• Blocking placental development
• Reducing maternal blood volume

Correct Answer: Suppressing maternal immune response and supporting endometrium

Q14. Which laboratory assay is commonly used to measure circulating progesterone levels?

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay
• Radioimmunoassay or immunoassay for progesterone
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver function test (LFT)

Correct Answer: Radioimmunoassay or immunoassay for progesterone

Q15. The structural class of natural progesterone is:

• Peptide hormone
• Steroid (pregnane) hormone
• Polypeptide
• Amino acid derivative

Correct Answer: Steroid (pregnane) hormone

Q16. Which progestin is commonly used in intrauterine systems (IUS) for long-term local progestogenic effect?

• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Drospirenone
• Norethindrone

Correct Answer: Levonorgestrel

Q17. Progesterone antagonists used for medical termination of pregnancy act primarily by:

• Enhancing progesterone synthesis
• Blocking progesterone receptors and causing decidual breakdown
• Stimulating estrogen receptors
• Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis exclusively

Correct Answer: Blocking progesterone receptors and causing decidual breakdown

Q18. Which pharmacokinetic property of oral micronized progesterone improves its clinical performance?

• Increased water solubility eliminates first-pass metabolism
• Micronization enhances absorption and bioavailability
• It converts to an inactive metabolite rapidly
• It is immune to hepatic enzymes

Correct Answer: Micronization enhances absorption and bioavailability

Q19. Progestins with androgenic activity can cause which unwanted effect?

• Breast atrophy only
• Acne and hirsutism
• Hypotension
• Improved insulin sensitivity

Correct Answer: Acne and hirsutism

Q20. Which of the following is a key difference between natural progesterone and many synthetic progestins?

• Natural progesterone has no receptor-mediated effects
• Synthetic progestins often have variable androgenic, estrogenic, or glucocorticoid activities
• Natural progesterone is a peptide, synthetics are steroids
• Synthetic progestins are not orally active

Correct Answer: Synthetic progestins often have variable androgenic, estrogenic, or glucocorticoid activities

Q21. In luteal phase support during assisted reproductive techniques, progesterone is used to:

• Promote implantation and maintain early pregnancy
• Induce ovulation
• Suppress endometrial growth entirely
• Cause selective fetal membrane rupture

Correct Answer: Promote implantation and maintain early pregnancy

Q22. Which side effect is more associated with drospirenone-containing contraceptives compared to older progestins?

• Hypokalemia
• Hyperkalemia due to antimineralocorticoid activity
• High androgenic stimulation
• Severe hepatic necrosis

Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia due to antimineralocorticoid activity

Q23. The primary clinical indication for progesterone in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to:

• Prevent estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia in women with an intact uterus
• Stimulate ovarian follicle growth
• Induce permanent amenorrhea
• Enhance testosterone levels

Correct Answer: Prevent estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia in women with an intact uterus

Q24. Which factor most significantly reduces the oral bioavailability of natural progesterone?

• High renal clearance
• Extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism
• Poor binding to plasma proteins
• Immediate degradation in the stomach acid

Correct Answer: Extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism

Q25. Which monitoring parameter is most relevant when prescribing long-term injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate?

• Bone mineral density
• Frequent liver biopsies
• Daily blood glucose checks
• Continuous ECG monitoring

Correct Answer: Bone mineral density

Q26. Which statement about levonorgestrel emergency contraception is true?

• It is effective by preventing implantation after fertilization only
• It primarily works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation
• It must be taken within 72 days
• It acts as a progesterone receptor antagonist

Correct Answer: It primarily works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation

Q27. Progestin-only pills primarily rely on which mechanism to prevent pregnancy?

• Consistent ovulation induction
• Thickening cervical mucus and altering endometrium
• Permanent tubal occlusion
• Increasing sperm motility

Correct Answer: Thickening cervical mucus and altering endometrium

Q28. Which metabolite class is produced from progesterone metabolism and can be measured in urine as a marker of progesterone exposure?

• Pregnanediol glucuronide
• Estrone sulfate
• Testosterone glucuronide
• Cortisol

Correct Answer: Pregnanediol glucuronide

Q29. Which of the following progestins has relatively high androgenic activity and is often associated with adverse lipid profile changes?

• Desogestrel
• Cyproterone acetate
• Levonorgestrel
• Drospirenone

Correct Answer: Levonorgestrel

Q30. Which clinical scenario is a contraindication for estrogen-containing combined contraceptives but where progestin-only methods may be preferred?

• Young healthy non-smoking woman with no history
• Woman with history of thromboembolism or high risk of VTE
• Woman desiring immediate fertility restoration
• Woman with uncontrolled hyperkalemia

Correct Answer: Woman with history of thromboembolism or high risk of VTE

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