**Core Concept:**
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods in a woman who is otherwise sexually active and not pregnant. Progesterone is a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Withdrawal bleeding refers to the temporary return of periods in response to a decrease in hormone levels, typically seen before ovulation.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is D (Ovulation) because withdrawal bleeding occurs due to the decrease in progesterone levels, which leads to the regression of the corpus luteum and the initiation of ovulation. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone throughout the luteal phase, and its regression triggers the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. This surge leads to ovulation and the subsequent menstrual period.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Oligomenorrhea (rare or infrequent menstrual periods) is not the correct answer because withdrawal bleeding is seen in amenorrheic women, not those with oligomenorrhea.
B. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that results in irregular periods, not withdrawal bleeding.
C. Hypothyroidism affects thyroid hormones, not menstrual cycle hormones like progesterone and estrogen, which are responsible for withdrawal bleeding.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:**
Amenorrhea can be primary (absent from the beginning) or secondary (developing after an initial period). In either case, withdrawal bleeding may occur due to decreased progesterone levels, indicating an underlying cause such as ovulation or a hormonal imbalance. This knowledge is essential for diagnosing and treating gynecological disorders.
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