Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of reproductive age, affecting approximately one in 10 women globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite its prevalence, it remains one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed health conditions today.

PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens — male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. This hormonal imbalance can lead to a range of symptoms, including irregular periods, ovarian cysts, weight gain, acne, thinning hair, and even infertility. 

Bella Padilla has resonated with thousands of Filipinas. 

Diagnosed in her early 20s, Padilla candidly shared, “I had 18 cysts on my left ovary and 20-plus on my right. Not the best news I got that day.”

More than the numbers, it was the symptoms that took a toll. “I noticed that my dysmenorrhea would always be really bad. Like I couldn’t get out of bed. I started getting really, really bad acne,” she recalled.

But what made it harder was trying to fit into the mold society expected of her. “In the Philippines, people have an expectation of young girls that we should be happy and chirpy and bubbly. If I did have moods or if I did have like a bad day, I would try and suppress it or keep it down,” she said. “Yeah, I didn’t realize that I was suffering from PCOS.”

Now, Padilla is helping flip the script — openly advocating for hormone health, de-stigmatizing PCOS, and encouraging other women to give themselves the grace they deserve. “People with hormonal imbalances like me — we have so many things we’re afraid of in life. Like I’m sure there’s so many questions. It’s okay to talk about it now.”

She also emphasized the importance of self-compassion, saying, “There’s no reason for you to feel bad. There’s nothing wrong with you just because you are diagnosed with something. You’re also not your disease.”

Padilla ended with a powerful reminder: “Your diagnosis shouldn’t be your identity. You’re so much more than that.”

In 2025, this advocacy was amplified even further as New Moon Hormo Balance, the supplement Padilla stands behind, became the official wellness ally of Miss Universe Philippines

— empowering Filipinas to take charge of their health, unapologetically.