The independent Philippine guide
Birth control in the Philippines, explained honestly.
- Every pill brand and its real peso price, checked October 2026.
- How to get a prescription legally: free, in person or online.
- Straight answers to what you really worry about. No judgment.
No sign-up. Your answers stay on your phone.
priced in pesos
The Method Map
Every method on one map.
Up: more effective in typical use. Right: less often you need to think about it.
Tap a dot.
See how well each method works, how long it lasts, what it costs in pesos and where it is free.
Pregnancies per 100 women in the first year of use. Source: WHO Family Planning Handbook comparison table (Trussell data, also used in the CDC effectiveness chart). Prices: lowest to highest current private price from our price tracker.
See the data as a table
| Method | How often | Typical use | Perfect use | Lasts | Price (PH) | Free at health centers | Rx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implant | Every 3 to 10 years | 99.9% (0.1 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.9% | 3 years (label) | ₱200 to ₱10,500 | Yes, subject to supply | Inserted by a trained doctor, nurse or midwife |
| Hormonal IUD | Every 3 to 10 years | 99.3% (0.7 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.5% | Up to 5 years or more, by product label | ₱18,000 to ₱25,000 | No | Inserted by a trained provider |
| Copper IUD | Every 3 to 10 years | 99.2% (0.8 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.4% | Up to 10 to 12 years, by product label | ₱200 to ₱20,000 | Yes, subject to supply | Inserted by a trained provider |
| Injectable (DMPA) | Every 3 months | 96% (4 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.8% | 13 weeks per shot | ₱99 to ₱900 | Yes, subject to supply | Given by a health worker |
| Combined pill | Every day | 93% (7 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.7% | One pack a month | ₱53.25 to ₱1,437.50 | Yes, subject to supply | Prescription required in the PH |
| Progestin-only pill | Every day | 93% (7 in 100 pregnant a year) | 99.7% | One pack a month | ₱161 to ₱642 | Yes, subject to supply | Prescription required in the PH |
| Male condom | Every time you have sex | 87% (13 in 100 pregnant a year) | 98% | One use | ₱38.75 to ₱53.75 | Yes, subject to supply | No prescription needed |
| Withdrawal | Every time you have sex | 80% (20 in 100 pregnant a year) | 96% | Each time | Free | No | None |
| Calendar method | Every day | 88% (12 in 100 pregnant a year) | 95% | Ongoing tracking | Free | Yes, subject to supply | None. Counselling at health centers |
Pill brands
Pills Filipinas search for most.
Trust
Combinedlevonorgestrel 125 mcg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg, with iron tablets
From₱59.50 / pack
DetailsDiane-35
Combinedcyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg
From₱695.75 / pack
DetailsAlthea
Combinedcyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg
From₱537 / pack
DetailsLady
Combinedlevonorgestrel 150 mcg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
From₱53.25 / pack
DetailsDaphne
Progestin onlylynestrenol 500 mcg
From₱161 / pack
DetailsYaz
Combineddrospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
From₱889 / pack
DetailsSame formula, lower price
The expensive brand often has a cheaper twin.
cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol
Same active ingredients and dose. Choosing Cybelle over Diane-35 saves about ₱2,220 a year.
Do you need a prescription?
Yes. Here are the 3 legal ways to get one.
- 1
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan give pills, injectables, implants and IUDs free, subject to supply.
Find free birth control - 2
See a doctor in person
Any OB-GYN or general doctor can write a prescription you can use at any licensed pharmacy.
What to say at the clinic - 3
Get a prescription online
A licensed doctor by video or chat. Some OB-GYN teleconsults start at ₱700.
Compare online options
For adults 18 and over.
What people worry about
Your questions, in your words.
Nakakataba ba ang pills?Do pills make you gain weight?
Reviews of placebo-controlled trials have not found a large effect of combined pills on weight. Some people notice bloating or a bigger appetite in the first months, which usually settles. Weight changes over time with or without pills, which is why only controlled trials can answer this. The injectable (DMPA) is the one method with evidence of weight gain in some users.
Read moreKailangan ba ng reseta?Do I need a prescription for pills?
Yes. Birth control pills are prescription medicines in the Philippines under RA 10918. Some pharmacies used to sell them without a reseta, but since 2024 most ask for one. You can get a prescription from a doctor in person or online, or get pills free at your barangay health center.
Read moreMabubuntis ba pag mali ang pag-inom ng pills?I missed a pill. Can I get pregnant?
Missing 1 or 2 combined pills carries little or no risk if you take one as soon as you remember and carry on. Missing 3 or more in a row (2 or more for 20 mcg pills like Yaz) means using condoms for 7 days. The Missed Pill Helper walks you through it by brand.
Read moreEffective ba ang pills? Safe ba kahit iputok sa loob?How effective are pills, really?
Pills work very well when taken every day, but in typical use about 7 in 100 women get pregnant in a year, mostly because pills get missed. Implants and IUDs are the most effective reversible methods. No hormonal method protects against STIs.
Read moreDiane-35 o Yaz para sa acne?Which pill helps acne or PCOS?
Cyproterone acetate pills (Diane-35, Althea, Cybelle) are approved for moderate to severe androgen-related acne and excess hair, usually after other treatments. They should not be combined with another hormonal contraceptive. Acne often takes a few cycles to improve and can return after stopping.
Read morePwede ba sa nagpapadede?Can I take pills while breastfeeding?
Progestin-only pills (Daphne, Exluton, Cerazette) are the usual pill choice while breastfeeding. The NHS advises waiting until 6 weeks after birth before starting a combined pill if you are breastfeeding.
Read moreHad unprotected sex in the last 5 days?
There are still options. Talk to a doctor today. Here is what is available in the Philippines.
How it works
From question to pills in 3 steps.
- 1
Answer a few questions
Find My Method gives you 2 or 3 method families to discuss. About 2 minutes, nothing leaves your phone.
- 2
Talk to a licensed doctor
Free at a health center, in person, or online. The doctor decides what is right for you.
- 3
Get your pills
Free from the health center, or from a licensed pharmacy with your prescription.
Online or clinic?
What each route really costs you.
| Online consult | Private clinic in Manila | Health center | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | None | Commute and parking | Usually close to home |
| Queue | Booked slot | Often an hour or more | Varies, can be long |
| Privacy | From your room | Waiting room | Neighbours may see you |
| Consult cost | From ₱700 | Around ₱1,500 at some clinics | Free |
| Pills | Licensed pharmacy, delivery or pickup | Licensed pharmacy | Free, subject to supply |
Queue and travel are typical experiences, not measured figures. Fees from provider listings checked October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a prescription for birth control pills in the Philippines?
Yes. Pills are prescription medicines under RA 10918. Since 2024 most pharmacies ask for one. You can get one free at a health center, from a doctor in person, or through a teleconsult.
What is the most common birth control pill in the Philippines?
Trust is the most searched pill brand in the Philippines, followed by Diane, Althea and Lady. Popular does not mean right for you; a doctor helps you choose.
What is the cheapest birth control pill?
Lady (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) is usually the cheapest, from ₱53.25 a pack at the time we checked. Pills are also free at barangay health centers, subject to supply.
Is birth control free in the Philippines?
Yes, at public facilities. DOH says pills, injectables, implants, IUDs and condoms are free at barangay health centers, RHUs and DOH hospitals, subject to supply.
Is emergency contraception available?
Dedicated emergency contraceptive pills are not registered in the Philippines. A copper IUD within 5 days is the most effective option, and doctors may advise others. Talk to a doctor today.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Explainer: Philippine Pharmacy Act and prescription medicines, Interaksyon (Philstar), 25 Apr 2024
- DOH reminds public family planning services are free at public hospitals, Daily Tribune, 12 Jul 2025
- Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Emergency contraception (fact sheet), World Health Organization
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy
- Combination contraceptives: effects on weight (Gallo et al.), Cochrane / PubMed
- Combined pill: risks and side effects, NHS
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