Vagifem - anyone used? Any side effects?

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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

One final point- does she have the wherewithall and manual dexterity to use these products? The cream comes with a small plunger-type plastic applicator and you lie down and insert it in the vagina at bedtime. Vagifem which is a small pellet, is another option and this comes with its own single applicator. Even if she could use Ovestin externally it might help her.

Thank you so so much
This is so debilitating for her.
The gynaecologist problem was originally the problem but after this the leaking of urine started and soreness got worse.
She couldn't tolerate any of the tablets to help with the overactive bladder hence the Botox which did help.
However as you know this only lasts fir a limited time gynae referred her to urology so she could have the Botox with a local anaesthetic but urology even though in the same hospital insisted on redoing all the investigations again including urodynamics!! All very intrusive and unpleasant. And now over two years since the Botox.
She gets frequent UTIs as well
But the vaginal pain and soreness is what prevented the urology doc giving the Botox yesterday
She has the cream but hasn't been using it as it emerged her friend told her it causes blood clots!!
Quite difficult to know how to help her really but any advice insights gratefully received

Sorry you answered while I was typing
Yes I think she can manage bizarrely she was a midwife for 30 years The irony!
Could she be fairly liberal with it externally to try and get things a little better?
And I guess inserting it as well fairly often for a couple of weeks?
I've just called her pharmacist to order more and also to convince her to use it!!!

The amount to use externally is around a pea size. This ought to work quite soon. Use it daily or 2 x a day.

Internally, you are supposed to follow the instructions- it's 1mg (so that is 1/5th teaspoon) in the plunger. The dose is once daily, at night, so it doesn't seep out.

If she finds the plastic plunger painful- it has a sharp tip IMO, she can try to insert with her finger or even on the end of a tampon.

This regime is the treatment for UTIs often because sometimes there is no infection or if there is, it's because the skin is dry and bugs take hold easily.

*She has the cream but hasn't been using it as it emerged her friend told her it causes blood clots!8

and you know this is bollocks! it's not absorbed anywhere but the vagina.

I know 😢 but old midwives know best unfortunately.
Hoping the pharmacists advice will hold some sway
Thank you so much fir your advice really appreciate it. If not fir this problem she'd be really well and able to enjoy life so fingers crossed xx

Saw a specialist 3 weeks ago as I had a terrible burning in my vagina, some bleeding and the need to pee a lot, 4-6 times in the night. I'm 66 and went through the menopause at 42. I was referred urgently to a specialist who diagnosed vaginal atrophy and asked my doctor to prescribe Vagifem. After a few days I saw some improvement but after nearly 2 weeks things are now just as bad as when I saw the specialist. It's taken over my life as I drink nothing for a couple of hours before I go out otherwise I need the loo every 20 minutes. Should I persevere? I'm about to drop to 2 doses a week or should I be going back to my GP?

I'd go back @JillS52
I was on it daily eventually it stopped working for me. I'm now adding full HRT.
The bladder thing is so debilitating. It can take ove your life.
I find Ibuprofen takes a tiny edge off things.

@JillS52 it can take a good while to reverse the changes. Two weeks is nothing really, sorry- but as you had such an early menopause you have been without estrogen for years and years. You might find Ovestin suits you better- it's a cream you insert- and it's slightly different. I have read that it's ok to use it more than 2 x a week until you really feel better. I'd say carry on with it 4-5 times a week for another 2 weeks at least (some women use it daily) and see if that helps. I don't want you to feel negative but it can take 6 months to reverse the changes and get real improvement.

Meanwhile it's best to give up tea and coffee, alcohol and acidic fruit juices as all of these can irritate your bladder.

as a by the way as you had such an early menopause has anyone suggested you have your bone density assessed? You ought to as an early menopause puts you at risk for osteoporosis. Ask your specialist if they can refer you for a DEXA scan.

You don't really need to see your GP again as all you should do is carry on with the treatment. Most GPs don't know much about this and are likely to just tell you to follow the regime of 2 x a week, because they are not specialists.

SueEK

Try Balneum Cream with urea 5% & Lauromacrogols 3% for your itching skin. I find it is much better than E45. There are 3 types. One is in a dark blue bottle. I'm not sure if it is the stronger one? Mine is the white bottle. I get it from Boots, but the blue one you can get on Amazon. I have suffered with itching skin since the age of 35, and I have only managed to stop it with this cream. I am 57!
Good Luck

Hello I have today been prescribed Vagifem.
For background I went through an early menopause 20 years ago at 38/40.
I have managed it without any HRT to date.
For at least the past 5-10 years have had to use lube for sex but that was it.
However, I have noticed that the following day I have been quite stingy,and it continues to have a burning sensation for days after.
I also came to realise that my clitoris has shrunk , and on looking a mirror I am definitely not as ' pink ' looking down there.
My question is will the vagifem make my clitoral ' pop ' back out and if the answer is yes / or possibly, then how and how ? Also at the doctors they said anytime but the pharmacy has put at night, is there a best time ?
Another question, is it still ok to have sex as can your dp absorb it or dislodge the pessary ?
Sorry for so many questions !

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My question is will the vagifem make my clitoral ' pop ' back out and if the answer is yes / or possibly, then how and how ?

Unlikely but you could try Ovestin (estrogen cream) which can be applied to the vulva.

Also at the doctors they said anytime but the pharmacy has put at night, is there a best time ?

This is to stop it falling out BUT Vagifem is supposed to stick, so you can use anytime. Ovestin tends to leak so that's best used at night if used internally.

Another question, is it still ok to have sex as can your dp absorb it or dislodge the pessary

There is a slight risk of male absorption and dislodging, yes. So it's best to avoid sex on the nights you use it, or use a condom OR use it daytime not just before sex.

If you had a really early menopause you really do need to ask for a DEXA scan for your bone density. If the Vagifem doesn't work you might want to think about full HRT. 1:4 women need both and VA only gets worse if not treated.

Sorry for so many questions !

Thanks for answering .
The I'm a bit loathe to go into full hrt , due to having breasts that are prone to bring lumpy, in fact I'm currently waiting for one of those quick two week wait visits to the breast clinic due to having breast pain / possible lump.
I also had a t.i.a. a few years ago so I don't know if the gp would be happy to prescribe . I have worried about bone density and have thought about asking to be tested.

I am 52, and went through the menopause at 46.

Was prescribed Vagifem a few months ago, and it seemed to be doing a good job at reducing dryness/soreness, but then I ran out and stopped using it (too busy to get to GP for a repeat). Then I started to get a little bit of spotting/very light bleeding, and I wondered if it was because I'd stopped using it. So I went back to the GP - she didn't seem remotely concerned, and prescribed me a new supply. She said any slight bleeding is likely to be the vaginal lining breaking down as I'd stopped with the topical oestrogen.

That was two weeks ago, and I've been using it daily, as instructed for the initial phase. But the bleeding is getting worse, to the point that this evening it's as heavy as a period - quite bright red in colour. I have had nothing like this in six years. Is this normal?? Of course, I'm currently on holiday in Spain, no sanitary protection to speak of...I'm worried this is nothing to do with the Vagifem and may be something more sinister - can anyone offer any advice? Should I stop using it?

Please see your GP as soon as come home. This doesn't sound anything like vaginal atrophy where the bleeding maybe very slight spotting.

Your GP must refer you within the 2-week urgent rule for an ultrasound scan to see what's going on. The 'rule' is any bleeding - even a drop- more than a year after a last period must be investigated this way.

Thanks - will phone for an appointment.

Hi. I have just been prescribed Vagifem pessaries and have been extremely interested in the comments on here. (First post by the way). Dr has said just to use it twice a week from the start - did not mention the ‘use daily for a fortnight’ and then go to twice a week? Most advice I have read states to do the latter including the advice paper on the inside of the prescription box.

You use it for 14 days daily then twice a week or some women use it 3 or 4 times week for it to work. GPs are useless.

I don't know what leaflet you are reading but the online site www.vagifem.com says this..

How often to take it.
During the first 2 weeks of treatment, you’ll use 1 Vagifem® 10 mcg insert every day; then 1 insert twice weekly thereafter (for example, Tuesday and Friday), as prescribed by your health care provider. Click here to see an example of the dosing schedule.

I've been on Vagifem for two or three years now and use it every day. It's a tiny dose, so no need to worry on that score. I'd play around with it until you find what gives you the best relief from symptoms - that might be every day, may be every other day.

Cointreau I had similar mysterious bleeding years after my last period and also use Vagifem.

I went private rapidly as we were due to go abroad on a big trip shortly, also my mum had had cancer in that area and I didn't want to wait at all. I was fortunate enough to be able to afford to do that. Full investigations found nothing thankfully.

I'm in no way suggesting that you shouldn't go straight to your doctor on your return. You absolutely should. It won't always be bad news though. But it does have to be investigated. Hope you get some reassurance soon.

Thanks @highlandcoo

I did go to the GP, and was referred according to the Two Week Rule. I have an ultrasound scheduled for this afternoon, and further tests next Wednesday. I'm sure it will be fine, but glad I'm being checked out, because the bleeding started again this week. But the GP is pretty sure Vagifem isn't to blame.

Incidentally, GP is in my good books, because this week she also correctly diagnosed my 19yo DS as having appendicitis. He's just out of hospital.