Methods
What is the most common birth control pill in the Philippines?
Quick answer
Trust (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) is the pill Filipinas search for most, followed by Diane-35 (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol), Althea (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol) and Lady (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol).
No public survey reports which brand is used most. National surveys count methods, not brands. Common does not mean right for you.
What the data can and cannot say
There is no published sales ranking of pill brands in the Philippines. The Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey asks women which method they use (pill, injectable, implant, IUD and so on), not which brand.[src] We have not yet pulled its latest method mix figures. [TODO: source: latest PSA NDHS table on contraceptive method mix among married women]
What we can measure is what people search for. In our keyword research, Trust is the most searched pill brand in the Philippines by a wide margin, with Diane-35, Althea, Lady and Daphne next. [TODO: source: keyword research export (site spec Section 4) to cite as our own data] Searches show interest, which is a decent clue to what is on people's minds, but not proof of what they take.
The four names you hear most
| Brand | Type | Pack | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust | Combined, levonorgestrel | 21 hormone + 7 iron | ₱59.50 |
| Lady | Combined, levonorgestrel | 28 tablets | ₱53.25 |
| Diane-35 | Combined, anti-androgen | 21, then a 7-day break | ₱695.75 |
| Althea | Combined, anti-androgen | 21, then a 7-day break | ₱537 |
Prices are the lowest we found at Watsons, TGP and Rose.[src][src] Every one of them needs a prescription.
Why Trust and Lady are everywhere
- Price. Lady and Trust are the two cheapest pills on Philippine shelves, a small fraction of the price of Yaz or Diane-35.[src]
- Distribution. DKT Philippines distributes Trust along with Trust condoms and other family planning products, so many people know the name before they ever need a pill.[src]
- Formula. Both use levonorgestrel with 30 mcg ethinylestradiol. EMA uses levonorgestrel pills as the comparison point for clot risk, because their risk is among the lowest of the combined pills.[src]
Diane-35 and Althea are common for a different reason: they are licensed for hormone-related acne and excess hair, so many Filipinas with PCOS are prescribed them.[src]
Common is not the same as right for you
A friend's pill may not suit you. Breastfeeding usually means a progestin-only pill like Daphne (lynestrenol). Migraine with aura, smoking at 35 or older or a past clot rule out combined pills.[src] If you forget pills, an implant or IUD may suit you better than any brand. Our Find my method quiz helps you prepare for the doctor.
Three legal routes
Get a prescription
All birth control pills need a prescription in the Philippines. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Ano ang pinakakaraniwang pills sa Pilipinas?
Trust ang pinakamadalas hanapin online, kasunod ang Diane-35, Althea at Lady. Walang pampublikong datos kung anong brand ang pinakamaraming gumagamit. Kailangan ng reseta sa lahat.
Is Trust the same as Lady?
Close but not identical. Both are levonorgestrel with 30 mcg ethinylestradiol, but Trust has 125 mcg levonorgestrel and iron tablets, while Lady has 150 mcg.
Which pill do health centers give?
It depends on supply. Health centers usually stock a combined pill and a progestin-only pill, and the brand can change from month to month.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, Philippine Statistics Authority [TODO: source] exact report and figures to pull before publishing statistics.
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy
- DKT Philippines, DKT International
- Benefits of Diane 35 and its generics outweigh risks in certain patient groups, European Medicines Agency
- Combined pill: who can and cannot take it, NHS