Over 10% or 190 million women and girls of reproductive age globally are affected by severe pain associated with endometriosis, a painful gynecological disease in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, and this burden affects more women in Asia. Yet misconceptions about endometriosis, such as extreme period pain, are something women still view as part of the norm– resulting in prolonged pain and delayed treatment.

Bayer Philippines, in collaboration with its partners from the Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders (SEUD) and the Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine (PRSM), calls for more conversations of care and action to eliminate pain associated with endometriosis by supporting the Asian Congress on Endometriosis (ACE) in the Philippines this year.

OB-GYNE and Asian Congress on Endometriosis 2023 Congress President Dr. Angela Aguilar shared during the Endometriosis Masterclass that prevalence rates of the disease are reportedly higher in Asia compared to other continents.

According to Dr. Angela Aguilar, OB-GYNE and ACE 2023 Congress President, these misconceptions create more barriers on why women do not consult their doctors. “There is an information gap associated with endometriosis and women continue to suffer in silence brought about by debilitating pain,” she said. “This affects their daily activities, their productivity suffers at work and school– diminishing their quality of life.”

Importance of Early Diagnosis

“Endometriosis sometimes takes several years to be diagnosed, but with the Asia Consensus guidelines, it allows us to help HCPs tackle endometriosis by improving diagnosis and treatment standards of the condition in Asia, enabling them to create the best outcomes for their patients,” said Dr. Catherine Donovan, Head of Medical Affairs Asia-Pacific, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Asia-Pacific.

During the Asian Congress on Endometriosis 2023, Dr. Catherine Donovan, Head of Medical Affairs Asia-Pacific, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Asia-Pacific, emphasized that HCPs should initiate conversations of care among their patients for early detection of endometriosis.

The consensus guideline “Clinical Diagnosis and Early Medical Management for Endometriosis: Consensus for Asia” details the recommended practices for caring for women with endometriosis. It emphasizes the role of non-invasive procedures in early diagnosis and treatment to allow for patient-centered care.

In an endometriosis masterclass held at the Marriott Manila Hotel, Bayer emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for conversations on endometriosis to provide a multidimensional approach on patient care.

Seek medical help

Women should realize that pelvic pain accompanying periods are not normal. They should seek help to evaluate the cause of this pain. According to Dr. Aguilar, patients may undergo pelvic examination and imaging as appropriate. Pelvic pain may be due to endometriosis and experts in the field can discern if this is present.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition, but there are ways of managing the pain and preserving the woman's fertility as long as it is discovered early and handled competently. “Many patients respond well to medication and go back to their lifestyle with little to no pain”, she added.

Working with multi sectoral partners and joining in the ACE 2023 in the Philippines is part of Bayer’s core commitment in advancing innovative solutions for women’s healthcare. With its recently launched Bayer For Her: Conversations of Care campaign, Bayer aims to raise awareness on women’s health by normalizing discussions on what is considered taboo topics in the country such as menstrual issues and endometriosis.

To help more women make informed choices about their own bodies and seek expert advice on reproductive health, Bayer For Her has an ongoing series of free pop-up consultation clinics at selected Mercury Drug, Southstar Drug, Rose Pharmacy, and Watsons until October 2023.

For more information about the free consultation clinics or signs and symptoms of endometriosis, visit Bayer Philippines’ Ask Mara Facebook page.

The unkabogable Vice Ganda remains to be one of the country’s busiest and most visible celebrities. She juggles content creation for her highly viewed vlog, shooting for her shows on the Vice Ganda Network, hosting “It’s Showtime!” on a daily basis, not to mention the other roles she plays in her life such as businesswoman, daughter, partner, furmom, a friend to many, and the madam of the house. Balancing all these while giving her best in everything she does is one big job she needs and wants to fulfill that requires her to be in tip top form.

Admittedly, Vice also has her off days where she does not feel 100% but Vice Ganda makes sure that over the years of experience, she is able to manage the different kinds of pain life throws her way. “Pain is something that will always be a part of life; it’s impossible not to have it. The good thing is, more often than not, there is a way to manage it and feel a little bit more pain-free,” says Vice Ganda. “I believe I’m a strong person emotionally so I am most afraid of physical pain. I may have a low threshold for physical pain,” she adds.

As Vice put it, be it as it may that a completely pain-free world is impossible to have, Bayer Consumer Health Philippines strives to make this a little bit more attainable through Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) and Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax). With its latest campaign featuring Vice Ganda, the two pain relieving brands serve as a reminder how it’s Better Sari than Sorry! 

Real talk. How many times have you found yourself saying “Sorry” for being unable to do something required of you because of pain? Any form of pain hinders one from delivering daily tasks in the best form and also affects one’s mood. If you live a busy lifestyle just like Vice, 24 hours are sometimes not enough to get things done and so pain is not an option.

Being on the go almost all the time will really tire your body. That’s where body aches, fever, headaches start hitting. Rest is needed but if work or time deprive you of it and you need a quick relief, two brands come to mind. For fast headache relief, there’s Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) which starts to release in five (5) minutes. It also has Caffeine which when combined with other analgesics like Paracetamol and Propyphenazone, makes the product have a greater analgesic effect. Meanwhile, for long-lasting body pain and arthritis relief, there’s Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) which provides up to 12 hours pain relief, All Day Strong with twice daily use. It is longer lasting than plain Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.

Saying “Sorry” because of pain is a thing of the past because it is now Better Sari than Sorry! Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine is the generic name of Saridon Triple Action and Naproxen Sodium is the generic name of Sarimax. Available at leading drug stores and pharmacies nationwide and in Shopee and Lazada. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. ASC Number: B057P052522SS

Watch the Better Sari Than Sorry TVC .

Celebration is one thing that we all miss and for Vice Ganda her birthday celebration is something different as she wishes everyone a good health in this pandemic. We say goodbye for a feast now but we will be sure to look forward for a bigger feast in future  making every commercial sizzles with excitement.

Last year, comedian and television host Vice Ganda’s birthday celebration was held under unusual circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone indoors.

Even as Vice Ganda celebrated yet another birthday under lockdown, she chooses to have a positive outlook after the past year proved to be so difficult to so many people. Vice realizes Filipinos are trying to find some semblance of normalcy; even working doubly harder to address the economic concerns due to the pandemic. The efforts often cause headaches and pains due to the stress that goes with it. However, as they say, the show must go on. And on her birthday, Vice Ganda is praying and hoping for good health for herself and for her kababayan. 

Good thing is Vice has a partner for moments when headaches strike. She knows that for headache relief, Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) is there for a faster and better effect. Its caffeine content, when combined with other analgesics like Paracetamol and Propyphenazone, makes the product work in as fast as 15 minutes and provide better pain relief vs. 500mg plain Paracetamol

This is why Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) comes in handy for someone like Vice who continuously works on many projects for long hours. The unkabogable Vice Ganda juggles her schedule with content creation for her top rating vlog and shows on the Vice Ganda Network while still hosting “It’s Showtime!” on a daily basis. Balancing these and her other responsibilities is no joke and having a happy and positive mood is something Vice needs to be effective and sincere in her craft. 

Vice’s prayers and birthday wish for good health will always be her priority with the primary reason of being able to provide fun and positivity to her millions of followers.

Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) associate marketing manager Toby Manlapat shares, “This pandemic has been a challenge to all of us but people who work hard like Vice Ganda need to relieve headache fast in order to get back to one’s normal disposition”

Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action) is manufactured by Bayer, a trusted name in pharmaceuticals and consumer health for over 150 years. Paracetamol/ Propyphenazone/Caffeine is the generic name of Saridon Triple Action. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. Available in all leading drugstores nationwide and major online retailers. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

ASC Ref. No. B044P040721SS

As the government intensifies the implementation of its family planning program in the next four years, much more needs to be done to educate Filipinos about the importance of reproductive health and to correct the misconceptions about modern contraception.

Despite the availability and accessibility of different types of contraceptive methods, accelerating the acceptance and utilization is still hindered by misconceptions and lack of knowledge on modern contraception.

“Following the launch of the first World Contraception Day Philippines in 2018, we want to continue the conversation to empower and educate Filipino women and couples to make informed choices about their reproductive and sexual health,” said JunIl Kim, Country Division Head, Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Among the types of modern contraceptives, the pill, Intrauterine System (IUS), female sterilization, contraceptive patch and injection are the most effective types of interventions with ~99% efficacy, when administered correctly and used with 100% accuracy. However, male condom, fertility awareness trackers and withdrawal method remain to be the most commonly used with approximately 72-82% efficacy. [i]

Earlier, the government has announced the implementation of an intensified family planning program nationwide targeting 11.3 million women over the next four years. This is to increase the usage of contraceptives among Filipinos from 40 percent to 65 percent.

Via Antonio, actress and comedian, talked about her own experiences in pursuit of better reproductive and physical health, “In this day and age, reproductive health remains to be a taboo topic, even among women. Many are using contraception for various reasons yet no one is openly talking about it. The stigma on birth control is alive.”

Dr. Amity Casurao-Trono, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center Q.C and Rizal Medical Center, shed light on the myths and misconceptions about modern contraceptives during her “Pillowtalk” session held in Makati City.

In 2018, an estimated 25.8% or 7.1 million Filipinas aged 15-49, are using modern contraception, an increase of 1.2 million since 2012.[ii]

Oral contraceptives or the pill remains to be one of the most effective and preferred form of modern contraception among Filipinas because they are convenient, non-invasive and reversible. It comes in two types --- the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill, which contains both progestin and estrogen hormones and the Mini Pill or progestin-only pill (POP).

Progestin is the main contraceptive ingredient that prevents ovulation, thins out the uterine lining and thickens cervical mucus such that sperm cannot pass through. Ethinyl estradiol, the synthetic female hormone, stabilizes the endometrium and enhances the action of progestin.

Dr. Casurao-Trono clarified and put sense into the most prevalent myths about the use of COCs.

Pills do not cause birth defects: No adverse effects were observed when COCs were accidentally taken during early pregnancy. Past COC use is not associated with an increase in spontaneous abortions.[iii]

Pills do not increase cancer risk: Studies have not established strong and direct links between breast cancer and pill usage. In fact, the risk of cancer lowered with COC use. It reduces risks for certain cancers such as ovarian cancer (~40% lower), endometrial cancer (~50% lower) and colorectal cancer (~20% lower)[iv]. However, it does not protect from sexually transmitted diseases.

Pills do not make you infertile: 21% of women get pregnant after one month of stopping taking COCs and 79% get pregnant after one year of stopping.[v]

Pills, depending on the formulation and indication, also treat a variety of hormone-related conditions and imbalances such as hyperandrogenism, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe and debilitating form of PMS. Over 88% of women receiving COCs report no adverse effects.[vi]

Aside from preventing unintended pregnancies, selected COC pills offer added benefits beyond contraception such as reducing estrogen-related fluid retention and bloating because of its anti-mineralocorticoid property. It regulates hormonal problems such as acne, facial hair and hair loss due to its anti-androgenic quality. Some COC pills also come in a 24/4 regimen that promotes user compliance. Despite its additional benefits, OB-GYNs highly recommend women to go on a healthy diet and take regular exercise to achieve the desired results.

Like any other medication, it comes with some common side effects such as nausea, breast tenderness and headache, which are tolerable.[vii]

Some contraindications to taking the pills are presence or history of Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Myocardial Infarction, Ischemic stroke, Transient ischemic attack, angina, Severe liver disease, DM with vascular disease, Migraine with aura, Breast cancer, Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, known or suspected pregnancy, smokers > 35 y/o, severe lipid disease and uncontrolled hypertension.[viii]

Dr. Casurao-Trono reiterates that, “It’s time for women to take a more active stance in taking control of their reproductive and sexual health. We should be able to normalize these discussions, without the fear of being shamed or embarrassed.”

To learn more about contraception and reproductive health, visit www.Your-Life.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/wcdphilippines/

Actress and host Via Antonio shares her life-experience during a media roundtable on what made her ask her doctor on how she can further take control of her body with the help of oral contraceptive pills – whether it is for planning her family or keeping her hormones balanced.

Bayer marked Women’s Month by reiterating the need to educate women about modern contraception and provide access to credible and scientific information on its added benefits. Also in the photo are (left to right) Bayer Pharmaceuticals’ Business Unit Head Michael Cabangon, Via Antonio, Dr. Amity Casurao-Trono and JunIl Kim, Country Division Head.

Dr. Amity Casurao-Trono, an obstetrician gynecologist at St. Lukes Medical Center Quezon City said that there is no better time than today to normalize the conversation about women taking control of their sexual and reproductive health.