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Original poster

Prescription for Vagifem

15 replies

MandyMayflower · 28/08/2020 21:56

Everyone who is on Vagifem, is your GP following the NICE guidelines to

  • Continue treatment for as long as needed to relieve symptoms
  • Explain that symptoms often come back when treatment is stopped
?

Do you have a repeat prescription to provide you with Vagifem indefinitely or do you need to explain to your GP why you need it every 12 weeks?

OP posts:
PourMeADrink · 29/08/2020 16:07

I will find out in a few weeks as just been prescribed it and plan to request as a repeat prescription as I can see it listed on my notes online.

Happydaysforever123 · 29/08/2020 16:17

I use ovestin, I have a repeat prescription.
I tried vagifem but I think ovestin is better.

DiscontentedWoman · 29/08/2020 16:51

I use vagifem and I have it on repeat.

h0rsewithn0name · 29/08/2020 20:24

I've just been prescribed Vagifem and I see the Dr has already put it onto repeat.

BCBG · 29/08/2020 20:31

Indefinitely! I use it twice a week and will do so until I'm eleventy hundred. I see a very high profile gynae privately and she says the hormone dose is minuscule but delivered where needed and in her view there is zero risk even long term.

BCBG · 29/08/2020 20:31

Should also have clarified that GP has it on permanent repeat. Not an issue.

Original poster
MandyMayflower · 29/08/2020 22:35

You lucky people with repeat prescriptions!

My surgery seems to be following the outdated advice to discontinue every 2-3 months for 4 weeks to assess need for treatment.

The doctor who provided my initial prescription hasn't been around for a while and my current GP directs all VF-related issues to a nurse. After starting VF in June, I’m still having symptoms so I was given another 12-week supply yesterday but I’d prefer to have a prescription for an indefinite period rather then have to explain to the nurse every 3 months why I need it.

I know the standard advice is to find another GP when NICE guidelines aren’t followed but I can't do this at the moment since the surgery is short-staffed (Covid-related). Hopefully I'll be able to speak to the original doctor before my supply runs out.

OP posts:
JosephineDeBeauharnais · 29/08/2020 22:49

I’ve had mine on repeat for yonks. I use it every day. I have explained to my GP that I need it every day and that my meno specialist has assured me that it is perfectly safe to use on that basis for ever. No push back from GP on that.

DramaAlpaca · 29/08/2020 22:57

Yes my GP is aware of the guidelines and made sure I was informed too. I have Vagifem on repeat, though I have to renew all prescriptions every six months (not UK). It's usually routine but if GP wants to see me she'll only prescribe for one month. There's never any problem getting the Vagifem renewed and if I needed more she'd prescribe more. We pay privately per item here so it doesn't cost the health service anything.

Laburnam · 31/08/2020 16:58

Please can you tell me how it’s worked for you?

h0rsewithn0name · 31/08/2020 20:06

It's early days for me - have used it for 3 days, but already I'm feeling a bit better. The soreness isn't so bad. My bladder is twitchy, but it doesn't feel like a UTI just yet. I'm so hopeful.

DramaAlpaca · 31/08/2020 20:33

@Laburnam I've been using it twice a week for a few years and it's worked really well for me. Everything feels 'normal' again down there. No soreness, itchiness or discomfort.

@h0rsewithn0name glad it's starting to help.

Laburnam · 31/08/2020 22:16

Thank you

Deborino · 19/09/2020 23:47

I was prescribed vagifem in May when I had my smear test and it was excruciating for the first time ever. I also told the nurse that I was having "accidents" she also did a swab for thrush as I was constantly itching. I had a follow-up appointment with my gp who said it could be a prolapse or VA. I started by using the vf for two weeks every night then twice weekly. The accidents stopped immediately and the itching improved considerably. I was recently quite poorly and was admitted into hospital and given huge amounts of antibiotics intravenously. I came out of hospital with thrush and treated it with canistan but the itching has continued. I have had a telephone consultation with my GO who said do the two week treatment but if there's still ongoing problems I will be referred to a gynae incase it is a prolapse. I've started using the vf every night now as I can't stand the irritation.and itching. Thoughts anyone?

h0rsewithn0name · 20/09/2020 09:01

The antibiotics would have done that to me too.

I agree with your plan and would revert to a two weeks to give it a good shot. I also have a prolapse with VA, and although the vagifem has improved things brilliantly, I feel that things aren't quite right down there and still need the loo a couple of times at night.

The GP also gave me ovestin to use for the itching until things have calmed down and I've been using this for 2/3 weeks. Will continue for another week probably.

I hope you see some improvement. When it peaked, VA made me very miserable.

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