Contraception — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Contraception with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Contraception explained
Evaluation means weighing benefits against drawbacks for named methods, then reaching a supported judgement.
Read the full explanation
Hormonal methods such as the combined pill alter the natural cycle so no egg matures; they are highly effective when used correctly but can cause side effects and do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Non-hormonal methods act physically or chemically: condoms block sperm and also reduce infection risk, diaphragms need correct fitting, intrauterine devices prevent implantation, spermicides kill or disable sperm, and sterilisation is intended to be permanent. Abstaining from intercourse during the fertile window avoids hormones but demands accurate cycle knowledge. A strong answer compares effectiveness, reversibility, side effects, convenience, infection protection and suitability for different people, rather than listing methods.
Fertility can be controlled by a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception.
Contraception prevents pregnancy, and methods divide into hormonal and non-hormonal groups. Hormonal methods deliver oestrogen, progesterone or both to disrupt the normal cycle, usually by inhibiting FSH so eggs do not mature or by thickening cervical mucus. Non-hormonal methods work physically or chemically: condoms and diaphragms block sperm, intrauterine devices prevent implantation or release a hormone, spermicidal agents kill or disable sperm, abstaining from intercourse during the fertile window avoids fertilisation, and surgical sterilisation cuts or blocks the gamete pathways. The intrauterine device straddles the two categories because copper versions are non-hormonal while hormonal versions release progestogen. Understanding the variety means knowing the route, duration and mechanism of each option, and recognising that effectiveness depends on correct and consistent use.
These include: • oral contraceptives that contain hormones to inhibit FSH production so that no eggs mature • injection, implant or skin patch of slow release progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs for a number of months or years • barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms which prevent the sperm reaching an egg • intrauterine devices which prevent the implantation of an embryo or release a hormone • spermicidal agents which kill or disable sperm • abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct • surgical methods of male and female sterilisation.
Contraception prevents pregnancy by interrupting the sequence of ovulation, fertilisation or implantation. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that inhibit FSH production, so no eggs mature and ovulation does not occur. Slow-release progesterone from injections, implants or skin patches inhibits the maturation and release of eggs for months or years. Barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms physically prevent sperm reaching an egg. Intrauterine devices prevent an embryo implanting in the uterus or release a hormone. Spermicidal agents kill or disable sperm. Abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct avoids fertilisation. Surgical sterilisation in males or females permanently prevents sperm or eggs meeting. Students should compare effectiveness, duration, reversibility and side effects, and explain how each method interrupts the reproductive sequence.
Your focus
- Compare named hormonal and non-hormonal methods using stated criteria such as effectiveness, reversibility and side effects.
- Explain the mechanism by which each named method prevents pregnancy.
- Reach and justify a conclusion about which method is most suitable in a given situation.
Show all 9 objectives
- Classify named contraceptive methods as hormonal or non-hormonal.
- Describe how each named method controls fertility.
- Explain the biological mechanism by which a chosen method prevents pregnancy.
- Describe how hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy.
- Explain how each method interrupts ovulation, fertilisation or implantation.
- Compare contraceptive methods in terms of duration, reversibility and mode of action.
Contraception exam tips
Marking Points
- Compares at least one hormonal method with at least one non-hormonal method, identifying a clear advantage and disadvantage of each.
- Explains how a named method works, for example the pill inhibits FSH so eggs do not mature, or a condom prevents sperm reaching an egg.
- Discusses reversibility, noting that sterilisation is intended to be permanent while the pill, implant and barrier methods are generally reversible.
- Considers protection against sexually transmitted infections, recognising that barrier methods such as condoms offer protection whereas hormonal methods do not.
- Reaches a justified overall judgement, for example that effectiveness depends on correct and consistent use as well as on the method chosen.
- States that contraception prevents pregnancy and classifies methods as hormonal or non-hormonal.
- Describes at least two hormonal methods, such as oral contraceptives, injections, implants or skin patches, and links them to hormones.
- Describes at least two non-hormonal methods, such as condoms, diaphragms, intrauterine devices, spermicidal agents, abstinence or sterilisation.
- Explains a mechanism, for example that hormonal methods inhibit FSH so no eggs mature, or that barrier methods prevent sperm reaching an egg.
- Recognises that some methods combine mechanisms, for example an intrauterine device that prevents implantation or releases a hormone.
- State that oral contraceptives contain hormones that inhibit FSH production so that no eggs mature.
- Describe slow-release progesterone delivered by injection, implant or skin patch as inhibiting the maturation and release of eggs for months or years.
- Explain that barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms prevent sperm reaching an egg.
- Describe intrauterine devices as preventing implantation of an embryo or releasing a hormone.
- State that spermicidal agents kill or disable sperm.
- Explain that abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct avoids fertilisation.
- Describe surgical methods of male and female sterilisation as preventing sperm or eggs from meeting.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use comparative connectives such as whereas, however and therefore so the examiner can see evaluation rather than description.
- 💡Anchor each point to a named method and a specific feature, for example the implant releases progesterone slowly over months or years.
- 💡Finish with a short judgement that answers the question directly, for example stating which method best suits a particular set of circumstances and why.
- 💡Sort your answer into hormonal and non-hormonal groups before writing so every method is placed correctly.
- 💡Name the hormone involved where you can, for example progesterone in the implant, to show precise knowledge.
- 💡Link each method to its route or duration, such as a skin patch, a slow-release implant or a permanent surgical procedure.
- 💡Match each method to the stage it blocks: ovulation, fertilisation or implantation.
- 💡Use precise terms such as 'inhibit FSH production' and 'prevent implantation' rather than vague phrases like 'stops pregnancy'.
- 💡When comparing methods, refer to duration, reversibility and whether the method is hormonal or barrier.
Common Mistakes
- Treating evaluation as a list of methods with no comparison; the correction is to state a benefit and a drawback for each method and then weigh them against each other.
- Claiming that hormonal contraception protects against sexually transmitted infections; the correction is that only barrier methods such as condoms reduce that risk.
- Assuming all methods are equally reversible; the correction is that sterilisation is intended to be permanent whereas most hormonal and barrier methods are not.
- Confusing contraception with abortion; the correction is that contraception prevents fertilisation or implantation, whereas abortion ends an established pregnancy.
- Describing the contraceptive pill as killing sperm; the correction is that it contains hormones that inhibit FSH so eggs do not mature.
- Assuming every non-hormonal method is a barrier; the correction is that spermicides, abstinence and sterilisation are non-hormonal but not barriers.
- Confusing FSH with LH; correction: FSH stimulates egg maturation, and oral contraceptives inhibit FSH production.
- Thinking barrier methods are hormonal; correction: condoms and diaphragms are physical barriers that stop sperm reaching an egg.
- Believing all contraceptive methods are permanent; correction: many methods are reversible, while sterilisation is intended to be permanent.