When vagifem is not enough....

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

Has anyone else needed this during perimenopause?

I am finding that whilst it staves off the symptoms of infection (swelling, wet discharge, slight bleediness) if I do not take it every 2-3 days, I start to get other symptoms - cystitis once and recently urge incontinence (think clean trousers every time I don't quite get to the loo). And I have just discovered I have flakey skin up the foof!

All this and periods every 3 weeks :(

I am beginning to think it is only me - I do not have flushes or anything else except aching joints.

I was so hoping this was the answer to my problems. Will see the doctor and see if it is ok to take more than the twice a week.

Did you use it for the specified amount of time to start with ? I don't know about Vagifem but with Ovestin you use it for 14 days every day then twice a week or as needed. Once you have used it for 2 weeks then you should ideally only need a 'top up' once or twice a week.
You might find it's not enough on its own and need systemic HRT as well.

I wasn't given very clear instructions to start with and I used the first lot most days, when it hurt. I couldn't get past using it every other day. This was put right and I used it every day for a fortnight.

However, since then, I still have not managed to go the 3/4 days you need to be using it 'twice weekly' My (3 wk or less) cycle is different each time, so there is no pattern to it. It was wet knicker month this time.

Unfortunately there is a long wait to see the GP that knows about these things. The last one was very nice and sorted out my vagifem problem but did not seem very up to speed on the current HRT thinking. It looks like some sort of systemic combined HRT is the next step (unless they let me continue to use it every other day)

I think you should use it as needed. My Ovestin comes with my specialist's instructions to 'use as needed'.

I would prefer that. If you go on systemic HRT, you need to take progestogen and that usually makes symptoms worse (as I found out when I tried the progestogen only pill).

I was prescribed the vagifem when I wasn't having periods. Do you know if they would have prescribed anything different if I had been having frequent periods then? As far as I can see on the dreaded internet, this is a symptom I should be having after menopause

There's not much difference between Vagifem and Ovestin in terms of whether you have periods or not. They are a different type of oestrogen and Vagifem is stronger. I was given the choice of 'pellets' or cream and asked for cream- dr asked me why - and I said I thought I'd be more 'soothing'. However, sometimes I find too much cream burns and irritates. (This is a side effect as is thrush which I think is on the leaflet etc.)

Ideally if you use any kind of topical creams etc long term, post meno, you should have a scan every couple of years if you are not taking progestins ( and having a bleed) as part of systemic HRT.

I have heard that progestins and oestrogen combined can make these problems worse- one way out of that is to take the minimum progestin but most GPs won't deviate from the 'rule' but many specialists are happy to cut it down to 7 days a month or 10 days every 2 months.

I am a perimenopause lady, still having periods ( not regular though) and suffered with horrendous soreness for several months before i insisted doctors prescribed something.

I use Ovestin and still get blips ,especially the week after my period. I have now been told to use it every other day if the problem comes back.

Did you do the 2 week inital loading with the Vagifem?

Go back, don't suffer.

This site is very informative www.menopausematters.co.uk

Yes - mine is worse after a period. It is also worse if I get cervical mucus (which sometimes happens at the end of a period) which is when you are supposed to have high oestrogen levels .

It is annoying to get things just right, then it all goes haywire.

Anyway, I have just looked at my repeat prescription form. It says 1 or 2 twice weekly, so I should be ok with 3 or 4 tablets a week.

I used to be on the pill, and the external dryness started during the last 4 years. I mentioned it to the urogynae at my hurried post surgery appointment and he prescribed the vagifem just in case, although he thought my tissues looked fine. After 3 'infections' I asked a locum if he thought it could be menopause. He said yes, absolutely and told me I should be using my prescription - it has been a godsend

Not sure how long you have been using it, but it can take a few weeks/months to settle down.

It has been a few months, but I am definitely much much better than when I first needed it. I will keep on with it now I am sure that I am not using too much. If I stop trying to make it last longer, it will surely settle down much better.