Birth Control Pills in the Philippines: Types, Side Effects and Safety
Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, are medicines taken daily to prevent pregnancy. In the Philippines they are prescription medicines — a doctor should assess which type is right for you before you start, because not everyone can safely take them. You can upload your doctor’s prescription to Getmeds, an FDA-licensed importer, wholesaler, distributor, and retail pharmacy with an online drugstore for medicine delivery.
There are two main types: combined pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin, and progestin-only pills. This guide explains how each works, the side effects to expect, and — most importantly — who should not take them.
How birth control pills work
Oral contraceptives work mainly by stopping ovulation — the release of an egg each month. They also thicken cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg, and thin the lining of the uterus.
A pack normally contains 21 or 28 tablets, taken one a day. In a 28-day pack, the last tablets are usually reminder or iron tablets that contain no hormones. You take them at roughly the same time each day, and you finish the pack before starting the next one.
These are daily pills, not emergency pills
Regular birth control pills only work when taken every day, before and during the time you are sexually active. They do not work if you take them only after sex.
Emergency contraception is a different medicine with a different dose, taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you need emergency contraception, talk to a doctor or pharmacist — do not use your regular pill pack for this purpose.
Types of birth control pills available in the Philippines
Oral contraceptives are sold under many brand names, but what determines how a pill works is the hormone combination and the dose — both printed on the box. Two products with the same hormones at the same strengths work the same way.
| Type | Common hormone combinations | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Combined pills (estrogen + progestin) | Levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol; Desogestrel + ethinylestradiol; Drospirenone + ethinylestradiol; Norethisterone + ethinylestradiol | The most common type. Some 28-day packs include ferrous fumarate (iron) in the reminder tablets. |
| Combined pills also prescribed for acne or excess hair growth | Cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol | A doctor may prescribe this for moderate to severe acne or for excess hair growth linked to androgen sensitivity. It also prevents pregnancy. This type is mainly for acne or excess hair growth and carries a higher risk of blood clots than some other combined pills. A doctor should weigh this before prescribing it. |
| Progestin-only pills | Lynestrenol; Desogestrel; Levonorgestrel | Contain no estrogen. An option for women who cannot take estrogen. Timing is stricter — they must be taken within the same narrow window each day. |
Your doctor chooses the type based on your medical history, whether you are breastfeeding, your age, whether you smoke, and any other conditions you have. The right pill for one person is not automatically the right pill for another.
Common side effects
Most side effects are mild and often settle within the first two to three months as your body adjusts. The ones reported most often are:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods
- Changes in your period — it may become lighter, shorter, or stop altogether
- Mood changes
- Bloating or fluid retention
Spotting is especially common in the first few months and with progestin-only pills. It usually settles on its own.
If a side effect is severe, does not improve after three months, or is affecting your daily life, see your doctor. There are several different hormone combinations, and switching to another one often helps.
Who should not take combined birth control pills
This is the part that matters most, and it is the reason oral contraceptives are prescription medicines. Combined pills contain estrogen, which raises the risk of blood clots in some people. Tell your doctor before starting if any of these apply to you:
- You smoke and are 35 or older. This combination significantly raises the risk of serious blood clots.
- You have had a blood clot in the leg or lung, or you have a known clotting disorder.
- You get migraine with aura — visual changes, flashing lights or blind spots before the headache.
- You have high blood pressure that is not controlled.
- You have had a stroke or heart disease.
- You have or have had breast cancer.
- You have severe liver disease.
- You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
- You have recently given birth, especially if you are breastfeeding.
If any of these apply, it does not necessarily mean you cannot use hormonal contraception at all. Progestin-only pills contain no estrogen and are often a safe alternative. Your doctor will advise you.
Medicines that can stop the pill from working
Some medicines reduce how well oral contraceptives work, including certain anti-epileptic medicines, the antibiotic rifampicin, and the herbal supplement St John’s wort. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about everything you are taking, including supplements.
Warning signs — seek medical help immediately
Stop taking the pill and get medical attention right away if you have:
- Severe pain in the abdomen
- Chest pain, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath
- A severe or sudden headache, dizziness, weakness or numbness
- Vision loss, blurring, or trouble speaking
- Severe pain or swelling in one leg, especially the calf
These can be signs of a blood clot. Do not wait to see if they pass.
Do birth control pills cause weight loss or whiten skin?
Both are common beliefs, and both are often the reason people choose one pill over another. Here is what is actually the case.
Weight loss — no. Oral contraceptives are not a weight-loss treatment and losing weight is not an approved use. Some people retain a little fluid when they start, which can show on the scale as a small, temporary change. If a pill is being marketed to you as a slimming product, that is not an approved claim.
Skin whitening — no. Oral contraceptives do not whiten skin, and skin whitening is not an approved use for any of them.
Acne — partly, but only on prescription. Certain combined pills, particularly those containing cyproterone acetate, are prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe acne linked to androgen sensitivity. That is a real, approved use — but it is a decision a doctor makes after assessing you, not a reason to choose a contraceptive on your own.
Period symptoms — often yes. Oral contraceptives commonly make periods lighter and more regular and can reduce period pain. Doctors sometimes prescribe them for this reason.
If you are considering the pill for any reason other than contraception, see a doctor first. Taking a hormonal medicine for a cosmetic goal, without knowing your own risk factors, is how people who should not be on estrogen end up taking it.
Where to get prescription medicines in the Philippines
Oral contraceptives are prescription medicines, so a valid doctor’s prescription is needed before they can be dispensed.
Getmeds is an FDA-licensed pharmaceutical importer, wholesaler, distributor, and retail pharmacy based in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila. We supply prescription medicines to patients, doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with an online drugstore for medicine delivery.
→ Upload your prescription
→ Go to the Getmeds online drugstore
Frequently asked questions
Do birth control pills need a prescription in the Philippines?
Yes. Oral contraceptives are prescription medicines in the Philippines. A doctor should assess your medical history before you start, because some people cannot safely take pills that contain estrogen.
What is the best birth control pill in the Philippines?
There is no single best pill. The right one depends on your medical history, your age, whether you smoke, whether you are breastfeeding, and any other conditions you have. A pill that works well for one person may be unsafe for another. This is a decision for your doctor.
How much do birth control pills cost in the Philippines?
Prices vary by hormone combination, pack size and supplier. Ask your pharmacy for current pricing, or send your prescription to a pharmacy for an official price quote.
What are progestin-only pills?
They are oral contraceptives that contain no estrogen, only a progestin such as lynestrenol, desogestrel or levonorgestrel. They are an option for women who cannot take estrogen, including many who are breastfeeding. They must be taken within a narrower time window each day than combined pills.
What should I do if I miss a pill?
What to do depends on the type of pill and how many you missed. Follow the instructions in the pack insert, use backup contraception such as condoms in the meantime, and ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Can I use my regular pill pack as emergency contraception?
No. Regular oral contraceptives only work when taken daily. Emergency contraception is a different medicine at a different dose, taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you need it.
Summary
Birth control pills prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation, and they are taken every day — not after sex. In the Philippines they are prescription medicines, and for good reason: combined pills contain estrogen, which is not safe for everyone, particularly people who smoke and are over 35, those who get migraine with aura, and those with a history of blood clots.
If you are considering oral contraception, see a doctor. They will match the hormone combination to your medical history, and progestin-only options exist for people who cannot take estrogen.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.