Vagifem. Why take every day for 2 weeks and then just twice a week?

[TheOwlChronicles]

I just wondered on the reasoning behind this? The initial dose is once a day for a fortnight and then twice a week with at least 3 or 4 days in between

What's the reason you can't take it daily? Wondered if anyone knew.

Thanks in advance

It's the same as a lot of drug or treatments (not necessarily drugs- could be massage etc.)

The first 2 weeks are intensive treatment and make major changes to the cells lining the vagina, urethra and bladder. They help thicken those cells so they are more robust and less irritated.

The 2 x a week afterwards is a maintenance dose.
Some women need it 3x or even 4.

Thank you - that makes sense

I've seen a startling difference in the past two weeks. Was having to wear a tena pad daily and had both urge and stress incontinence - now, that's all gone.

I have just been prescribed Vagifem. I started a thread earlier asking other users experience on it. Not started it yet.

I was told to take a loading dose, everyday for two weeks and then twice a week. The consultant who prescribed it did say that sometimes an increase to three or four times a week may be necessary.

I'm glad that it's helping you.

@ChaliceAlice good luck with it! Ive been really surprised.

Honestly, just swinging my legs to get out of bed would cause a tiny bit of leakage (ugh!) and if my son tickled me or the loo seat was down, meaning I'd need to hold on for an extra two bloody seconds, or if I lifted a heavy ish bag etc etc etc - all would cause it

After 7 days I no longer needed to wear a pad.

Im going to combine this with pelvic floor exercises going forward

I don't have any dryness or anything like that, I purely took it for bladder issues

@TheOwlChronicles that sounds like such an improvement for you.

If, like me, you were using Vagifem and found all the plastic applicators a terrible waste then please ask to be switched to Vagirux. It exactly the same ingredients but comes with just one reusable applicator per pack and a blister pack of tablets - much less plastic going in the bin.
It's easy to wash and dry the applicator between uses.

I took the initial loading dose for 4 weeks.

@Itsaknotat how come? Did you do that off your own bat or did a doctor advise it?

I bought vagifem over the counter personally because getting an audience with my doctor would take years! So I read up and went for it

Thanks for this. All the plastic is terrible.

I wasn't really seeing much improvement with 2 weeks and then reducing to twice a week. I kept trying this regime with limited success. Then I chanced upon Davina McCall talking specifically about this and she said that you could do a longer loading dose. So I tried it and it worked!

Hello @Itsaknotat, you mention Davina McCall, was that a tv documentary?

It was one of her instagram posts. Shes done an awful lot recently on the menopause, including a book and documentaries.

My doctor prescribed Vagifem but started with just 2 times a week not everyday for the first 2 weeks. Do you all think I will get the full benefit?