Vagifem - anyone used? Any side effects?

[Oldisthenewblack]

I've just been prescribed Vagifem tablets. I asked my GP for something to help with what felt like dryness 'inside' - difficult to describe but something that I never used to feel. Having just read the enclosed leaflet, it sounds like HRT! I didn't realise. I thought it would be just some kind of fancy lube I'm now a bit concerned as this sounds like serious stuff, and I'm not sure about putting it in my body. I'm not menopausal yet (as far as I know) though I do hav a whole host of symptoms, but that's more to do with other issues sigh Has anyone used Vagifem and did it have any negative side effects?

Thanks in advance

I have terrible bloating since using vagifem and sweating a lot has anybody else have these symptoms. Plus can i just stop it on my own. Been on it 6mnths

What you describe are typical signs of the menopause. If you are using Vagifem, presumably you are in peri or menopausal, so isn't your sweating etc due to low estrogen and your own hormones, rather than Vagifem?

Maybe you need to think about full HRT to control those.

It won't be the Vagifem .

My doctor has just prescribed Vagifem for me. I had breast cancer 15 years ago and had a mastectomy but have had no problems since. When I read the leaflet, it says that you should not use it if you have ever had breast cancer. My cancer consultant told me that no-one could ever be sure that being on HRT for the previous 6 years caused my breast cancer. I am 72 and have suffered for many years from UTI and needing to get up about 3 times a night so it would be good if these symptoms would be treated by taking Vagifem. Does anyone using Vagifem have any experience of previous breast cancer?

sandy151, I don't see what else you can do but go back to the doctor to discuss this, and if necessary ask for a referral to a consultant who's better informed.

I have had my coil taken out and replaced it with ustrogen 100mg at night everyday. Today I had panic come over me which I haven't had for a couple of years. It's been 3 weeks since change do i need to give it more time

Any thoughts would be great

Gerijrich, this thread is about Vagifem. To get replies to your question you need to start your own thread.

Hi!

I have spent a lot of money on my health recently and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to buy Vagifem at a better price. My insurance won't cover it. I have a prolapse and it seems to be helping. Is there a place in Canada? Thanks a lot!

Hi I’m new on here . I had hysterectomy and ovaries removed at 35 haven’t had any HRT for last 4 yrs but in June this year developed discharge and leaking which I though was bladder prolapse but after investigation was told it was vaginal atrophy. I started Ellesse solo transdermal patches but had severe side effects and stopped them a week later persciped Vagifem which I’ve had no side effects other then hair loss I’ve lost halve my volume of hair my gynaecologist dose the think this is Vagifem but more starting hRT and stopping but I’m on week 9 of Vagifem and hair loss still happening and other Estrogen HRT systemic stopped would I be better suited to Ovestin ? Any one experienced hair loss on vagifem

Oh my goodness @Sambojane. You have had negligent treatment. Removing ovaries at 35 would put you into surgical menopause. The treatment is HRT regardless of whether you had symptoms like flushes or sweats. Leaving a woman with no estrogen at 35 increases the risks considerably of osteoporosis and heart disease, as well as dementia and Parkinsons disease.

Your hair loss will be down to loss of estrogen. What side effects did you get on Elleste Solo? You might want to try Oestrogel or a patch instead.

You should also ask for a bone density scan as bone loss is as it's highest in the first 5 years after menopause.

Vagifem or estrogen will not cause hair loss. It's lack of estrogen that's causing it. Vagifen is not absorbed into the system so it's not enough to replace what you ought to have at your age.

I’ve been using to go for about 6 years now. No side effects, and planning to continue.

Hi everyone for approx 2 years I’ve been having bladder issues .. had the camera and other tests and was told it doesn’t empty properly .. all
Sorted itself but then come back .. now suffering with slight burning inside my vag and just feels odd ... was prescribed over the phone by doc vagifem and from what I’ve read it sounds like it may help but I’m so nervous to start it ... I have been suffering with allergic reactions lately to antibiotics and other medication then chocolate would you believe and am scared the vagifem may cause a reaction !
I postponed an op to stretch my bladder as it has calmed down really don’t know what’s going on .. I’m 56 in Feb and my periods stopped 8 years ago . Any thoughts I would appreciate , many thanks

I have just started vagifem specifically to see if it helps with bladder problems. I think women need to read more about HRT and look at any contraindications . They also need to inform themselves on pros and cons of HRT. Don't just think it's bad it causes cancer etc etc. These discussion forums are ideal. I also have estradiol patches and am trying testosterone gel.

Now have slight burning sensation going on when the tablet is realeased. Did anyone else feel this?
I also have developed increased histamine in my skin so can react to anything at anytime. I am wondering if this is one them?

I too am having burning when the tablet is released, my skin is itching when I woke up -which I did not have until I started using Vagifem and my heart is racing. I was very concerned about using Vagifem because it is HRT. It took me some time to actually use it and then I thought, “oh why not” it has to eleviate the burning and itching as well as bladder issues. I’m not sure if I should keep using as it burns upon use - which is one of the reasons I wanted to use it -to stop the burning but the heart palpitations is what is scaring me. Has anybody else had any irregular heart issues with this?

I was very concerned about using Vagifem because it is HRT.

Vagifem is not HRT. It is local estrogen. None is absorbed into your system.

Using Vagifem FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR is the same amount of estrogen as in 1MG of estrogen (a daily dose for HRT.)

If you feel your heart is reacting this is probably due to your anxiety over using it .

The burning I felt stopped after a few days. It has helped my weak bladder enormously. I can walk down the road without leaking now. So I for one am sticking with it

If Vagifem burns ask to try Ovestin- same thing but slightly different. The burning is usually short lived and stops once your vaginal tissue is plumped up again.

I do not mean to contradict you but this is what I found- Estradiol from Vagifem is only absorbed from the vagina into the bloodstream to a very small extent. However, as it may potentially be associated with the same risks as other forms of HRT it carries the same warnings.
I have a heart problem that is nothing to worry about but I do know my body and this I found to be true.

I've been using Vagifem for about 6-7 years with great results. But I have noticed recently that more substances are causing me allergic reactions - some spices, herbs and other foods.

Does anyone know of evidence that this could be related to Vagifem?

Re. absorption - research shows is that the absorption- which would be a tiny percentage of 0.01%- is only within the first 2 weeks of use. This is when the vaginal tissues are still thin. Once the product has started to work, the cells lining the vagina become thicker / harder and the estrogen cannot be absorbed across the barrier.

Estrogen is not linked to heart disease. (That's old out of date news.) Latest research shows that estrogen helps circulation/ protects hearts though pill form may add slightly to clotting risk ( ie in strokes.)

Palpitations are common in peri - nothing to do with using vaginal estrogen.

The leaflet on risks is included with any type of hormonal treatment- it's exactly the same wording for vaginal estrogen and full HRT.
This doesn't mean those risks apply to vaginal estrogen.
Old ladies in their 80s and 90s use vaginal estrogen- it's very, very safe.

what do you mean by an allergic reaction? 'Allergy' is a rare occurence - a true allergy- it would be hives, breathing issues, vomiting etc.
Can't see how it could be related to Vagifem in any way .

I mentioned earlier that I have had increased allergic type reactions to lots of things. I have.... Wait for it.... Chronic spontaneous urticaria and angidema. This is not related to HRT.
Late onset asthma and hay fever. Plus inability to take NSAIDs. Basically produce too much histamine. Skin reacts when it feels like it. See your GP or try over the counter antifistamines

Opps antihistamines