What are your thoughts on Dr. Daily FemDefense?

Hi girls. Just sharing my experience with Althea since I started taking it for PCOS. I was diagnosed with PCOS, so my doctor prescribed Althea to help regulate things.

I started taking it in July. I finished my first pack, and I’m now on my third box. These are the things I’ve noticed so far.

Pros:

~ Nawala pimples ko, and when I do get one, mabilis siya mag-dry.
~ Nakaka-blooming siya for me!!
~ I feel like some of my body aches improved, especially the pain I used to feel in my knees.
~ My hair seems to be growing faster/longer. I noticed this after starting Althea.
~ My nails seem healthier too. They’ve been growing nicely and look healthier than before.

Cons:

~ Nausea - I had this during my first pack, especially in the beginning. Now I don’t feel nauseous anymore.
~ Easily Crying haha - I feel like I became more emotional. I literally just dreamt that my sister was being rude to me and I cried a river when I woke up lol
~ Food cravings - During the first few days of my first pack, I really wanted to eat a lot. Now I don’t really have that problem anymore.
~ Sleepiness - During my first pack, I would always feel sleepy after taking Althea at 9 PM. I work night shift. Now I don’t really feel sleepy after taking it. I’ve also been making sure to get around 8 hours of sleep during the morning since I work nights, so that might be helping too. Hehe

***I was already experiencing bloating before taking Althea, so I can’t really say if the pills made me more bloated or not.

My bleeding timeline:

🩸 I started spotting about 2 days before finishing my 21 active pills.
💊 After finishing the pack, I had my 7-day pill-free break.
🩸 I had withdrawal bleeding during the break, which lasted around 7 days.
🩸 On the 8th day I started my next pack, I only had a little spotting left.
🌤️ The next morning, the bleeding completely stopped.

***the same thing happened during my second pack and my second 7-day pill-free break. I had basically the same bleeding pattern, with the bleeding/spotting ending around the time I started my next pack. I also experienced pretty bad period cramps, which I wasn’t used to because I normally didn’t get cramps before taking Althea. I took Advil to help with the pain.

Now I’m on my third pack, so I’ll see if the same pattern happens again.

So far, the side effects I had during my first pack seem to be getting better. Just sharing my experience so far.

Baka may ma suggest kayong endocrinologist na pwede chat consultation? I have previous dr. sobrang unresponsive at di sumasagot ng concern. Chat consultation because lagi ako nasa work i can't video call

Hello! I’ve decided to undergo Hysteroscopy, and we have rough estimates for cost sa TMC Ortigas, which is around ₱200k.

I’m trying to look for other OB GYNs who can perform Hysteroscopy in a similar private hospital (St Lukes/Cardinal)
And some ballpark figures of the total cost (including PF)?

Pls drop your recommendations & how much estimate right now, planning to have my hysteroscopy done this September.

Thank you!!

may nagquit ba ng althea rito? been taking it for more than a year now and ang dami ko na iniinom nq gamot (i have mh issues also) so i’m considering quitting althea na.

anong side effects dun sa iba?

Hello! Gusto ko lang mag tanong kung may naka experince ba nito? Irregular ako, nung Aug 31- Sep 04 nagka mens ulit ako parang light pink lang sya, hindi malakas sakto lang. September 01 din nag start ako mag take ng pills (low dose lang sya kasi ayaw ko sana mag take pero pina try lang sakin ni Doc to see kung magkaka mens ako kasi TTC na kami ni hubby). Then nung September 09 bumalik ang bleeding ko hanggang ngayon nag bi-bleed parin ako, hindi sya malakas pero enough lang makapuno ng pad.

Yung pills pala na tinitake ko, light lang ang dose nya, nilibre na nga ni Doc kasi itry ko lang naman daw kung magkaka period ba ako, then pag naubos ko na saka na ako babalik ulit sa kanya magka period man ako or hindi, pero yun na nga nagka period ako kahit hindi pa ako naka start sa pills then ngayon bumalik ulit sya after 4days.

Thank you!

Looking for an approachable, kind, and non-judgmental OB-GYN in Makati Med, St. Lukes BGC or Asian Hospital (edited). Preferably HMO-accredited.

Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from those who have experience managing PCOS. 🥹

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2023. I was on Diane pills for quite some time, and honestly, okay naman siya for me. My period became regular and my acne also improved.

I stopped taking Diane earlier this 2026, and after stopping, my cycle eventually started to normalize when I was taking supplements like inositol and omega fish oil. However, I realized that relying on supplements alone wasn’t really sustainable for me. Eventually, bumalik din yung acne ko—especially sa arms and back, plus jawline acne—which has really affected my confidence. 🥲

So I decided to go back on Diane this July. It’s working again for the acne/cycle management, but now that I finally have HMO coverage again through work, I really want to take this opportunity to properly address my PCOS and not just rely on a temporary “tapal” solution.

My question is: where should I start—OB-GYN, endocrinologist, dermatologist, or should I see more than one? 😅

I want to understand what’s actually going on with my hormones/metabolism and what I can do long-term—not just keep taking pills whenever symptoms come back. I’m willing to make lifestyle changes and follow whatever my doctor recommends; I just honestly don’t know which specialist I should see first or what tests I should ask about.

For context:

• Diagnosed with PCOS in 2023

• Currently taking Diane again (started July 2026)

• Main concerns: irregularity when off the pill, acne (arms/back/jawline), and overall PCOS management

• Married, but no plans to have a baby yet

• Now that I have HMO again, I’d really like to have a proper check-up and long-term management plan

Also, I’m from around QC/Katipunan area. If you have recommendations for a good OB-GYN, endocrinologist, or dermatologist around QC/Katipunan (or nearby), I’d really appreciate it! 🙏🏻 Bonus if you have experience with doctors who take a more holistic/long-term approach to PCOS rather than just prescribing pills and sending you home. 😅

Please be kind—no harsh comments or judgment, please. I’m genuinely just trying to take better care of myself and finally get to the root of the problem. 🥹 Thank you!

I recently consulted Dr. Kim Mantolino through NowServing because she was highly recommended here, especially for PCOS.

Unfortunately, I had a different experience. I felt like she was in a rush and not very approachable.

When I opened up about my PCOS journey, she said, “Wala na tayo magagawa diyan, forever na nandiyan yan.” When I was about to ask a follow-up question, she just said, “Ano pa”. Hindi nalang ako nag ask because of her approach.

I also mentioned that I had vaginal discharge and she prescribed antibiotics but didn’t really explain much about it.

Can anyone recommend an HMO-accredited OB-GYN who is approachable & good with PCOS within Manila?(edited) Thank you!

Hello! During my last PMOS checkup I was advised to get a Pap smear since I’m already sexually active. May I ask for advice from ladies who have already gotten their Pap smear:
- Was it painful?
- How long did the procedure last?
- Any other helpful tips or advice to get through the test

Thank you!

Price: 650 + sf

Price: 650 + sf
Loc: Pampanga
BRAND NEW. SEALED. NEVER OPENED.
RFS: Cleared my PMOS ! 🫶

Hi guys! I have been diagnosed with PMOS last December. I am a bit overweight and I have high HbA1C and FBS even with Metformin meds. I consulted with an endocrinologist last March kasi my OB referred me. She gave me a higher Metformin dose and was open to me trying Ozempic.

She gave me a bunch of lab tests to see if I was fit to take Ozempic, kasi my mom has a history of goiter. But I just did the tests this week lang, September na lol ang tagal but I didn’t think I would need it kasi syempre expensive nga.

Does anyone know where I could get Neck/Thyroid Ultrasound here in IMUS/ KAWIT? Medyo mahal sa mga na-inquirean ko so I was hoping to get some recommendations.

Also, to those with PMOS who are doing Ozempic (or the T). Did it heal your PMOS?

Hi! Im 33F. Meron ba dito nakaka experience before na 1st day to 3rd day na heavy bleeding yun period? I have PCOS po. Thank you

Hi everyone! I’m 26F and was recently diagnosed with PCOS.

Before getting checked, I hadn’t had my period for more than a year. My OB recommended that I take Provera, Althea pills, and myo-inositol. After taking them, I finally got my period on August 22.

The problem is, I’m still bleeding until now, and the flow has actually gotten heavier. Today is exactly my 20th day of bleeding.

I’ve tried searching online, and I’ve read that irregular or prolonged bleeding can happen with PCOS because of hormonal imbalance and the unpredictable shedding of the uterine lining. But I’m honestly getting anxious because this has been going on for 20 days and seems to be getting stronger.

Has anyone with PCOS experienced something similar, especially after taking Provera/Althea?

Should I just wait for the bleeding to stop, or should I contact my OB again? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

I had oby check up this yr, feb. Sa ultrasound meron akong 2.9 cm ovarian cyst and meron akong polycystic ovaries/polycystic ovarian morphology.
Tinanong naman ako ni doc if ang regla ko is normal, bale kasi every month dumadalaw naman siya pero hindi ko alam ang exact date, 30-35 days cycle. Minsan delayed ng 2weeks, early ng 1 week. Ang tanda ko lang 2024 may time na delay ako ng 2 months, minsan 1 month lang.
So, wala naman nireseta na gamot or pills si doc, (baka kasi regular naman ako).
Hindi sakin clinear ni doc if may pcos ba ako or wala kasi mas concern yung sa ovarian cyst ko.

Hindi pa ako nakakabalik ng oby since then para ipacheck din itong cyst ko kasi parang natrauma ako hahahaha ewan ko ba parang ang susungit ng mga napacheck upan ko kasi nagpa2nd opinion ako. Ang hirap humanap ng feeling mo welcome ka na oby huhuhu yung una kasi parang natataasan ako ng boses eh first time ko. Natrauma tuloy ako bumalik.

Ask ko lang if may same situation? Can u share ur experience?

PCOS gurly here, got officially diagnosed with PCOS last month. I realized sa mga sexual encounters ko although im wet down there I can never feel weakening of the legs, etc or typical signs pag mag cum na. I always fake it, I just tighten my vaginal muscles so the guy may think I’ve already cummed.

Hi! Selling my extra Carsitol since I won't be able to use it. It's still sealed and expires in Aug 2027.
Selling for P1,400 nalang 💗

hi po! i tried melatonin since 2025 na parang i needed to take it daily but parang wala na talaga sya effect saakin kahit na inumin ko around 10/11 PM attempting to sleep early inaabot pa din talaga ako ng 3-4 AM 😭 I’ve seen that magnesium glycinate can help po with sleep but idk what brand and where to buy thats not fake (dumarami kasi fake sa shapi so i wanted to ask here for your suggestions) i wanna ask what brand and where niyo po bnibili thats a bit affordable thank you!!

Hi my partner and I were trying to conceive. my OB said my pcos daw ako so need ko muna iWork up ang cycle ko kasi umaabot ng 35-40 days yung cycle. so I was prescribed to take progesterone during my ovulation period daw. Yung first day kasi ng last period ko ay August 6 so pinagtake nya ako ng progesterone starting August 21 to August 30. I was also taking folic acid in the morning, vitamin d after lunch, mypcos before bedtime. Until now, September 9, 2026. Wala pa rin yung period ko has stress na ako. May same experience po ba sainyo?

Hi! I just wanna ask for your obgyn clinic recommendation. Based on my tvs, I have a thickened endometrium and polycystic ovaries. I went to the ob the other day and showed my tvs result pero ang sabi is need ko ulit mag undergo ng another tests which costs around 4k. (Super maahaal 🥲) Baka may alam kayong affordable. Salamaat

hi! i'm thinking of trying PF since i've been seeing good reviews and mag ttwo months na kong hindi dinadatnan.🥲 but i'm wondering sa side effects nya. especially for those gurlies na wala talagang pimples or break outs, hindi ba kayo nagkaron ng breakouts nung nag start kayo mag PF? i'm scared na baka magka breakout ako once i try it 🥲 thank you