plumiThe menstrual cycle and contraception: Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions
Every Edexcel GCSE Combined Science exam question on The menstrual cycle and contraception (specification points 7.4–7.8), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q6(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ6(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(b)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ5(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)
The whole paper ↗Q3(d)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
All 33 questions on The menstrual cycle and contraception, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the hormone concentrations before and after the menopause. (3)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the roles of FSH and LH in the menstrual cycle. (3)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which hormones are in the female combined contraceptive pill? (1) A FSH and oestrogen B oestrogen and progesterone C progesterone and LH D LH and FSH
- June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the hormones in contraceptive pills prevent ovulation. (3)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how a barrier method of contraception prevents pregnancy. (2)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b) (6 marks): Hormones can be used as part of assisted reproductive technology. Explain how assisted reproductive technology (ART) can be used to increase the chances of a wo
- June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b) (1 mark): Progesterone is produced in the ovaries. State one effect of progesterone on the uterus lining. (1)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): The maximum concentration of oestrogen is just before ovulation. Which is the maximum concentration of oestrogen? (1) A 8 ng/ml B 210 pg/ml C 320 pg/ml D 900 ng
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how two of the hormones shown in Figure 8 cause ovulation. (3)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the number of days for the first menstruation shown in Figure 8. (1)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(iv) (4 marks): Explain how the levels of each hormone in the woman shown in Figure 8 would be different, if she was pregnant. (4)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): The level of oestrogen peaks on day 13. State the effect on the follicle caused by the peak in oestrogen. (1)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the effect of progesterone on the uterus lining from day 13 to day 21. (2)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(c) (2 marks): The condom is an example of a barrier contraceptive. State one advantage and one disadvantage of using this barrier method of contraception. (2) Advantage Disad
- June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(d) (2 marks): The contraceptive pill is an example of a hormonal method of contraception. Explain one way that the contraceptive pill stops a woman from becoming pregnant. (2
- June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the combined contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): When taken correctly, the combined pill can be over 99% effective. Taking the combined pill can lead to weight gain. Give one other disadvantage of using the co
- November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Which form of contraception is a barrier method? (1) A oral contraception B female condom C rhythm (calendar) method D contraceptive implant
- November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why a barrier method of contraception may be used in addition to a hormonal method. (1)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State the endocrine gland that releases oestrogen. (1)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain how high levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the combined contraceptive pill work together to prevent pregnancy. (4)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c) (4 marks): Hormones can also be used to treat infertility. Explain how clomifene therapy and IVF can improve female fertility. (4) clomifene therapy IVF
- November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(c) (6 marks): Explain how hormones control the menstrual cycle. (6)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Women with the condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) do not ovulate regularly. Women with PCOS can be treated using clomifene therapy. Clomifene t
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): During this therapy, a woman takes a clomifene tablet each day for the first five days of her menstrual cycle. Describe the changes that would happen inside the
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which hormone causes ovulation? (1) A LH B FSH C testosterone D progesterone
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(iv) (2 marks): During clomifene therapy, the woman has a blood test on day 20 of the menstrual cycle. The blood test shows a high level of progesterone. Explain the cause of t
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b) (2 marks): Hormones are also used as a method of contraception. Explain why taking high levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the combined contraceptive pill reduces the
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c) (3 marks): The female population of Britain is 32.6 million. The percentage of this population taking the combined contraceptive pill is 13.2%. The combined pill is 98.8%
- June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Use information from Figure 10 to explain why women over the age of 50 are less likely to ovulate. (2)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Use information from Figure 10 to explain why women are less likely to menstruate after the age of 60. (2)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how clomifene therapy may increase the chance of a woman over the age of 50 becoming pregnant. (2)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(iv) (1 mark): The hormone progesterone is produced by the (1) A corpus luteum B pituitary C thyroid D uterus
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © Pearson Edexcel, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Full past papers.
Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.