United for women’s health—advocates from different sectors come together at Organon’s Women’s Health Forum to break barriers, foster open conversations, and drive meaningful change in addressing hormonal transitions and unintended pregnancies.

Global healthcare company Organon recently held a forum that raised conversations on urgent and less talked-about concerns of women: hormonal transitions and unintended pregnancies. Titled “Women’s Health Unveiled: Insights Into Hormonal Shifts and Unplanned Pregnancies,” the event gathered medical professionals in obstetrics and gynecology and women’s health advocates to discuss the current challenges and opportunities to optimize women’s health in the Philippines.

As a company that has dedicated itself to women’s health for decades, Organon reaffirmed the need to promote open communication and collaboration to meet the highly interconnected and under-addressed healthcare needs of women.

“The company’s vision is to help create a better and healthier every day for every woman because, at Organon, we believe that every woman counts,” said Organon Philippines Country Manager Emmanuel Tiglao. “Our mission is suited for, in our longstanding history, bringing essential medicines and contraceptives to those who need them most. And we are honoredto continue this work alongside our dedicated partners.”

Dr. Bernabe Marinduque zeroed in on the prevalence and impact of unintended pregnancies, an issue that continues to affect millions of women across the world. His talk titled “Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Addressing Unintended Pregnancies” discussed the barriers that prevent women from accessing contraceptive services, the stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies, and the sobering statistics on unplanned pregnancies in the Philippines. As a means to address this challenge, Dr. Bernabe highlighted the importance of education, open conversations, integrating family planning into various healthcare services and promoting behavioral changes in women.

Dr. Bernabe Marinduque discussing the importance of breaking the stigma on unintended pregnancies during his talk at Organon’s Women’s Health forum.

He also shared stories of his patients and how much women today really need support in terms of unintended pregnancies. “These stories illustrate the factors that bring about unintended pregnancies—these are institutional, social, cultural, and financial. And I’m also illustrating the impact of unintended pregnancies on women, such as depression, separation from the family, impact on finances, impact on community, and stigma. These are the reasons why these women are scared to go to the doctor,” Dr. Marinduque said in his talk.

His talk emphasized the importance of providing women with access to contraception, accurate health information, and supportive healthcare systems to empower them in making informed choices about their reproductive health.

The conversation also underscored that access to contraception is not just a matter of healthcare, but a reflection of women’s ability to exercise control over their own lives. With the country’s fertility rate now below replacement level, ensuring reproductive autonomy is increasingly seen as vital to supporting women’s long-term well-being and securing their role in shaping the country’s social and economic future.

Another critical topic covered was the impact of hormonal shifts on women’s health. In her talk titled “Women’s Health Odyssey: A Journey through Hormonal Transition, ” Dr. Eileen Manalo, explained how hormonal changes can significantly affect a woman’s physical and mental well-being. She discussed the declining fertility rate in the country and how it affects economic resilience. She also underscored the need for better awareness and access to healthcare solutions that address hormonal changes, allowing women to take proactive steps in managing their health.

Dr. Eileen Manalo talking about empowering women on their reproductive choices during her talk at Organon’s Women’s Health forum.

“As healthcare providers, we should give our patients access to reliable contraception, which should be offered to women from all walks of life. It empowers women and their partners to make informed, reproductive choices, supports gender equality, and reduces the burden on health care systems,” Dr. Manalo said.

During a question-and-answer panel forum, both experts urged breaking down the barriers to women’s healthcare. These barriers commonly include limited access to specialist treatment, cost-related issues, and insufficient information on available services. The panel members called on the physicians in attendance to double their efforts to overcome such barriers and guide women in making critical reproductive health choices.

The forum also underscored that oral contraceptives not only helps regulate women’s hormones amid hormonal shifts, but also empowers them in having better control of their bodies. Organon introduced ultra-low dose combination oral contraceptive pills that contain desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol to the Philippines, and explained how this can be highly beneficial for women due to its many benefits.