Femetry vs Desert Harvest: IC Supplement Comparison

Guest Blog by Joanne Flemming – IC Warrior

If you’re like me, you’ve tried countless bladder health and interstitial cystitis supplements to relieve or minimize your symptoms. I’m always hopeful going in, giving each supplement at least a few months to see how my body responds. If I flare up during the test period, I weigh whether it’s a standard flare up, or the new supplement. Some dietary supplements seem to help, while others are ineffective or make my symptoms worse. Below is my honest review of 2 best sellers: Femetry Bladder Daily Comfort vs. Desert Harvest SSAV. My hope is that this over-the-counter IC supplement comparison helps you tailor your IC journey.

Desert Harvest’s Super Strength Aloe Vera (SSAV):

• Key Ingredient: Aloe Vera
• Price: $68/month*
  (*Prices are subject to change. For best results, there is a $119 3-supplement bladder bundle which includes Calcium glycerophosphate and Quercetin.)
• How long before you feel better: 90 days for maximum efficacy, but most feel gradual effects within the first 2 to 4 weeks.
  
• Initial assessment:
  Desert Harvest is a top option, trusted by IC patients and urologists alike. The company was founded by a family member who saw how negatively IC impacted their loved one’s quality of life. So, they get it. They researched ingredients to soothe the bladder to create SSVA.
  
  I’ve had great success with Desert Harvest. I believe this is due to the ultra-concentrated aloe vera formula. However, I found the best results with the Desert Harvest’s bladder support bundle, which includes Calcium Glycerophosphate and Quercetin. This bundle runs $119 per month. But at 6 capsules per day for the bundle, it’s a mouthful. 

Femetry’s Bladder Daily Comfort:

• Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Quercetin, Rutin, Pine bark extract, Hyaluronic acid (HA), Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl), Ashwagandha.
• Price: $40/month
  (*Prices are subject to change.)
• How long before you feel better: 90 days for maximum efficacy, but most feel gradual effects within the first 2 to 4 weeks.
  
• Initial assessment:
  My curiosity was piqued when I learned that Femetry was formulated by 3 female urogynecologists, not just an OTC IC supplement company. After reading the label, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Daily Bladder Control contains multiple bladder-health ingredients. Particularly, 2 supplements I once took separately: the flavonoid quercetin and adaptogen ashwagandha. I don’t know about you, but my symptoms significantly increase when I’m stressed, so the ashwagandha adaptogen is an added bonus.
  
  What really drew me in was reading how the aloe, HCI, and HA work synergistically to help soothe and rebuild the GAG layer**. These science-backed ingredients are formulated at clinical concentrations. The daily dosage is 4 capsules. The Femetry bundle includes 2 additional supplements, but I only take the other 2 on occasion. Taking what works is my top priority, but the fewer capsules the better.
  
  **Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Femetry vs Desert Harvest: Side by Side Comparison

Feature	Femetry	Desert Harvest
Dosage and directions	4 capsules a day	3-6 capsules a day
Aloe Vera	Aloe barbadensis, leaf gel powder, 100mg per dose.	Aloe barbadensis, leaf and inner gel, 1800mg per 3 capsule dose.
Other Active Ingredients	Quercetin (600mg) – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.   Rutin (80g) – Anti-inflammatory with vascular and tissue supporting benefits.   Pine Bark Extract (150mg) -antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, supports microvascular health.   Hyaluronic Acid (50mg) – Essential for connective tissue, supports repair of bladder wall lining.   Glucosamine (480mg) – Provides building blocks for the bladder wall’s protective glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer.   Ashwagandha (125mg) – reduce cortisol levels.	Calcium Carbonate (60mg) – raise pH of aloe vera and stabilizes freeze-dried powder.
Other Bladder Health Supplements in Product Line	Bladder Flora Balance  – contains D-mannose (1.5g), probiotics (10 billion CFU of three different strains of Lactobacilli) and prebiotics –  Used as UTI prevention and microbiome support.   Bladder Acid Control  –  contains Calcium glycerophosphate (1220mg) and Sodium Bicarbonate (150mg). Used to neutralize urine acidity, particularly after meals.	Buffered Vitamin C’ 400mg – Used as a UTI preventative.   Probiotic’ 1 billion CFU of Bifidobacterium infantis  – Used for microbiome support.   Quercetin 500 mg  – An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.   Calcium glycerophosphate  230mg  – Used to neutralize acidity.
Added Bladder-Friendly vs Irritating Ingredients	No irritating acidic ingredients like cranberry or vitamin C.   No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.   No common allergens, free of soy, yeast, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts or wheat.   Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten Free.	Buffered Vitamin C claims to buffer the acidity of the ascorbic acid with calcium.   No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.   No common allergens listed.   Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten Free.
Price	$40 for 1 month supply of Bladder Daily Comfort (120 count).   Add-ons: $80 total for bundle of all three supplements (Bladder Flora Balance and Bladder Acid Control).	$68 for 1 month supply of SSAV Super Strength Aloe Vera (180 count)   Add-ons: $35 for Quercetin   $25 for Probiotic   $25 for Buffered Vitamin C   $16 for Calcium Glycerophosphate
Founders Behind Product	Femetry is directly formulated by 3 urogynecologists, women who specialize in treating female pelvic health, IC, and bladder issues.   All 3 M.D.s have numerous academic research publications in peer-reviewed medical journals. Demonstrating not only clinical, but also academic experience.   Manufactured by LifeSeasons. Only one recall in history due to inadequate child-resistant packaging, with no injuries reported.	Founded when a family member with IC discovered relief with a large amount of aloe vera capsules. Prompted family to develop a safer and concentrated aloe supplement.   They were entrepreneurs, without medical or science backgrounds.   Does not openly name manufacturing site. Operates as a family business. Claims to manufacture under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), but have at least one FDA citation for violation of supplement component specifications.

My Pick: Femetry Daily Bladder Support

Before testing Femetry, Desert Harvest was my daily IC supplement. However, my symptoms significantly improved within 2 months of taking Daily Bladder Support. I have fewer spasms, less pelvic pressure, and shorter flare ups. It truly feels like the ingredients work together to soothe and repair.

This is my experience with Femetry vs. Desert Harvest. Feel free to share your OTC IC supplement comparisons to help our community heal and thrive.  

Here’s to living without daily bladder discomfort!

About our guest author, Joanne Flemming:

Joanne developed IC in 2005 while pregnant with her first child. She’s tried everything to reduce her symptoms, including dietary supplements, prescription medications, sacral nerve stimulation, and Botox injections. Now she utilizes a combination of lifestyle and dietary changes, including natural supplements. IC never goes away, but it no longer controls her life.