Superdrug - Vagifem

[felineflutter]

Anyone just gone ahead and ordered this themselves. Just fed up going to the GP and having blood tests and not getting anywhere.

So symptoms, dry, itchy and sore all over right to rectum. Wet but also dry narrowing of vaginal wall, paper like skin -gynaecologist dismissed and said I have vaginismus.

Not really sure what to do? Smear tests and sex uncomfortable and have been for a few years now.

Hi I can’t offer any advice OP. As I’ve never had this issue. But I do find pharmacies excellent for advise. Call your local one and see what they advise.

How old are you? You can get a watery discharge with VA.

Blood tests are notoriously unrealiable in peri and GP'sare meant to prescribe based on symptoms.

That is absolutely typical of vaginal atrophy. Vagifem and a good barrier cream is what you need.
If you can afford a private consultation a urogynaecologist is the person to see. But your GP should prescribe for you.
It infuriates me that women have to suffer like this.

I was prescribed Vagifem for similar issues. It worked within a few weeks. I cannot overstate how fab it’s been.
My female GP prescribed over the phone when I listed the symptoms- and said it was typical atrophy. Please find another GP ASAP.

If you don't fancy talking to someone over the counter you can do online prescriptions with The Independent Pharmacy - I have found them to be excellent and a godsend during the crisis.

Actually if you can buy it over the counter I would just do it It will be quicker than faffing about with a GP.

Ok, thanks for the advice. I will see the GP again. If I just ask for Vagifem will they prescribe it? Also do I need anything else?

I am nearly 50 and have had problems for at least 5 years.

@LizzieSiddal

Actually if you can buy it over the counter I would just do it It will be quicker than faffing about with a GP.

I don't think it's available OTC. Try the GP again ... I didn't have any issues getting it prescribed.

It is on Superdrug's website.

Yes, you can order directly from super drug and bypass your gp but they're a lot more expensive. Go back to your gp and insist on them and/or see a different gp. That said, if you can afford them without prescription, just go for it. They are truly life changing.

Vagifem is fantastic for internal dryness but you’ll need Ovestin cream for the external areas. Normal doseage is 2 weeks of daily use for both then twice a week thereafter for maintenance. If you need it in addition daily moisturiser like Yes is brilliant, Replens which GPs seem to recommend is not.

The paper thin skin and dryness to rectal area suggest that you may also have Lichen Sclerosis which is treatable with Dermovate steroid cream (doesn’t thin the genital skin).

All of the above have made a huge difference to me and we are a similar age. My GP thankfully had no issue prescribing them and within a week or two things were much better. You have to continue with it and it’s a forever thing but it’s worth it to not be so uncomfortable.

My GP also treated me at the same time with Fluconazole and Metronidazole as thrush and BV can run alongside and contribute to the discomfort whilst not being the main cause.

@felineflutter You don't need blood tests at all to diagnose anything menopause related- NICE guidelines say that.

You definitely don't need them to diagnose vaginal atrophy!

You need to go back to your GP and basically tell them you all the symptoms of VA- describe them- and ask for vaginal estrogen treatment.

I can't believe you are being fobbed off as well by a gynaecologist! They seem to know nothing! That is truly disgraceful and they sound incompetent.

Buying this stuff OTC is incredibly pricey. The retail cost if you buy it on prescription (I have a private consultant so pay for my prescriptions) is about £7.50.

I think OTC Superdrug are charging more like £25- basically they are profiteering on the fact women are embarrassed often to see a GP over this condition.

I didn't have any blood tests or examination before being prescribed vagifem. Actually, when menopause first came up with my GP, she mentioned that dryness/discomfort during sex might occur and that I should ask for treatment if it did.

No I had no blood tests etc just said that I’d researched and believed these were the issues and my GP agreed with me and prescribed instantly.

I said to GP 'I've been reading up and think I need vagifem, irritated and feel like a need a wee all the time'. He agreed.

Ok thanks GP is calling after 12pm today so I will as for Vagifem and Ovestin cream for symptoms of VA. Finger's crossed. Thank you for the advice everyone and will update later.

So lovely GP has prescribed Internal pessary but doesn't think I need the external cream as she thinks not necessary to use together? She recommended external moisturisers etc

Do you think the internal pessary will be enough?

I was prescribed a non perfumed barrier cream to use until everything healed up. I wish i could remember what it was called, but something you could use on a baby's bottom would probably be ok. Maybe Aveeno or similar. It has to be a barrier cream though, not a moisturiser.

You can never stop using the pessaries though, if you forget, the symptoms come back.

I use Ovestin as an internal cream, prescribed with an applicator. This was prescribed by a Urogynaecologist and now on repeat through the GP. I've not heard of it being a cream for external use.
On one occasion the pharmacy assistant tried to persuade me to buy Vagifem otc instead of using my prescription, which I get free. I refused as, apart from the cost, I believe what the specialist prescribed is likely to be more appropriate than an assistant's opinion.

Glad you've got at least part of the problem solved.

I'm post menopausal and had this, even after going on HRT.
I thought it was chronic thrush but was eventually referred to a dermatologist and told it was vulval eczema.
Treatment helped, they also recommended I use emulsifying ointment to wash with. Tried more expensive versions but now use 50:50 which is a bit like Vaseline, weird sensation but I don't use much and it does the trick!

It's probably all you need, see how you get on. I'd say you can tell the difference within a week or so. I always know if I've forgotten to use it- I need to go daily for a while to catch up.

I had a telephone consultation with a gp who I'd never met. Unfortunately I was in hospital with a really bad phone signal which made it difficult. I asked for ovestin to use alongside the vagifem. She said I couldn't use both at once and prescribed a cream which doesn't work. A pharmacist came to see me to discuss my medication and I asked her if I could use ovestin. She said yes they are fine used together. I finally got to speak to my usual gp and explained the situation and he has prescribed ovestin for me. He said that the amount of oestrogen in the vagifem used every night for a year is equivalent to taking one pill.

@felineflutter You can use both or either. Both products are incredibly low dose as PP says- use for a year = one estrogen daily pill!

The cream is soothing for the vulva is it's dry whereas Vagifem works only in the vagina where it sticks to the walls.

You might find with Vagifem that you get more lubrication/ discharge which will help the vulva too but if not a pea sized blob of Ovestin will help.

I have used Ovestin for around 14 years but my consultant gave me the choice. I use it mainly internally but sometimes need a bit outside too.

It's no big deal and some GPs are a bit weird on all this stuff as if it's a Class A drug!