AQA GCSE Biology Foundation (8461), Foundation tier · Homeostasis and response › Hormonal coordination in humans
Practise Contraception. 8 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
The hormonal and non-hormonal ways of preventing pregnancy, how each one works, and their advantages and disadvantages. Expect 'explain how this method prevents pregnancy' and 'evaluate' questions, often based on a scenario or data.
Key facts
Pill: hormones inhibit FSH → no eggs mature
Implant, injection, patch: slow-release progesterone → eggs do not mature or get released
Condom, diaphragm: barriers that stop sperm reaching the egg
IUD: prevents an embryo implanting (some release a hormone)
Spermicide: kills or disables sperm
Abstinence: avoid intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct
Sterilisation: surgery to cut or tie sperm ducts or oviducts; permanent
Condoms are the only method here that protects against STIs
Notes
Hormonal methods
Oral contraceptives (the pill) contain hormones that inhibit FSH production, so no eggs mature.
Injections, implants and skin patches slowly release progesterone, which inhibits the maturation and release of eggs for months or years.
Some intrauterine devices (IUDs) also release a hormone.
Non-hormonal methods
diagram
Barrier methods: condoms and diaphragms stop sperm reaching an egg. Condoms also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
IUDs prevent the implantation of an embryo in the uterus.
Spermicidal agents kill or disable sperm.
Abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct (around ovulation).
Surgical sterilisation: the sperm ducts (male) or oviducts (female) are cut or tied. It is very effective but difficult to reverse.
Where each method of contraception works.
Weighing up methods
Hormonal methods are very effective if used correctly, but can have side effects (e.g. headaches or mood changes) and do not protect against STIs.
The pill must be taken every day. Implants and injections last months or years, so there is nothing to remember.
Condoms have no hormonal side effects and protect against STIs, but they can split or be used incorrectly.
Some people choose abstinence or barrier methods for religious or personal reasons. Abstinence is less reliable because the timing of ovulation varies.
How to answer each type of question
Explain how a method prevents pregnancy
2 marksGrade 5
Name what the method does (hormone effect or barrier).
Link it to the step it blocks: eggs maturing, sperm reaching the egg, or implantation.
Example. A contraceptive implant is placed under the skin of the arm. It releases progesterone slowly for up to three years. Explain how the implant prevents pregnancy.
Show the model answerHide the model answer
Progesterone inhibits the maturation and release of eggs (1), so there is no egg for a sperm to fertilise (1).
Link a hormone to its contraceptive effect
2 marksGrade 5
Say what the hormone normally does in the menstrual cycle.
Say what happens when it is blocked.
Example. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that inhibit the production of FSH. Explain why this prevents pregnancy.
Show the model answerHide the model answer
FSH causes eggs to mature (1), so if FSH is inhibited no eggs mature and none can be fertilised (1).
Don’t lose marks
Saying the pill kills sperm or eggs. It stops eggs maturing by inhibiting FSH.
Saying hormonal methods protect against STIs. Only condoms do.
Giving only advantages in 'evaluate' questions, or leaving out a conclusion.
Vague points such as 'it's easier'. Say why, e.g. 'there is nothing to remember for three years'.
More tips
Memory tricks
Sort methods by what they stop: eggs maturing (pill, implant), sperm reaching the egg (condom, diaphragm), sperm working (spermicide), implantation (IUD).
Pill = FSH blocked = no egg ready.
Condoms are the only method on the list that also stops STIs.
Exam technique
For 'explain how it works', link the method to the step it blocks.
In 'evaluate' questions, use the information in the scenario, give pros and cons of each method and end with a justified conclusion.
Name the hormone precisely: the pill inhibits FSH; implants release progesterone.
What each grade needs
What you need to be able to do, from the first marks up to the top grade.
Grade 3
Name hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methodsE.g. the pill, implant, condom, diaphragm, IUD, spermicide, abstinence and sterilisation.
Grade 4
Explain how barrier methods workCondoms and diaphragms stop sperm reaching the egg.
Grade 5
Explain how hormonal methods workThe pill inhibits FSH so no eggs mature; progesterone implants stop eggs maturing and being released.
Grade 5
Describe how IUDs and spermicides workIUDs prevent an embryo implanting or release a hormone; spermicides kill or disable sperm.
Quick recall
Cover the answers and test yourself. The app has these as flashcards that come back just before you'd forget them.
There are many different methods of contraception. How do spermicidal agents prevent pregnancy?
They kill or disable sperm
Oral contraceptives contain hormones that stop eggs maturing. Which hormone do they inhibit?
FSH
Name one method of contraception that releases progesterone slowly over several months or years.
A contraceptive implant
There are two main types of contraceptive pill: the combined pill and the progesterone-only pill. Name the two hormones contained in the combined pill.
Oestrogen and progesterone
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy5 marks
There are many different methods of contraception.
(a) Which method of contraception is a barrier method? Tick (✓) one box.[1]
Contraceptive implant
Contraceptive injection
Diaphragm
Oral contraceptive pill
(b) Which two methods of contraception contain hormones? Tick (✓) two boxes.[2]
Condom
Contraceptive skin patch
Diaphragm
Oral contraceptive pill
Spermicide
(c) How do spermicidal agents prevent pregnancy?[1]
(d)Answer: Sterilisation (e.g. cutting or tying the sperm ducts or the oviducts)
(male or female) sterilisation / vasectomy / cutting or tying the oviducts or sperm ducts
Question 2Medium6 marks
Hormones can be used as contraceptives.
(a) Explain how the oral contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy.[2]
(b) A contraceptive implant is placed under the skin of the arm. It releases progesterone slowly for up to 3 years. Explain how the implant prevents pregnancy.[2]
(c) Give one advantage of using an implant rather than the oral contraceptive pill.[1]
(d) Give one disadvantage of using an implant rather than a condom.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: It contains hormones that inhibit FSH production, so no eggs mature
it contains hormones that inhibit FSH (production)
so no eggs mature
(b)Answer: Progesterone inhibits the maturation of eggs and the release of eggs
progesterone inhibits the maturation of eggs
(and) inhibits the release of eggs / ovulation
(c)Answer: There is no need to remember to take a pill every day
no need to remember to take it every day / lasts for up to 3 years
(d)Answer: It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
does not protect against sexually transmitted infections / STIs