Anyone on Vagifem?

[ChaliceAlice]

Hello, after a visit to the gynaecologist, I have been prescribed Vagifem for VA.

If you take this medication, do you mind sharing your experience of it please.

I hate the idea of the long stabby looking applicator!

i did try but it didnt seem to make any difference

I use it it's great. I need more than twice a week though, more like 4. Takes a while to plump things back up again so you have to do a loading dose of every night for 2 weeks and then reduce it

Started a month ago
1st 2 weeks daily then I used every other day
Total game changer and no longer feels like I have sand paper up my vagina or the continuous uti itch

Yes I have been prescribed daily for two weeks then two times a week, but have been told that this may need to be increased.

Do you get side effects at all please?

It worked great for me.

Unfortunately my blood pressure rose at the same time so I'm now having to take a break to see if the two are connected.

That's annoying for you, especially as it worked well. I hope that you get your blood pressure sorted.

Use it regularly no problem at all.

I'm six months on it, prescribed originally by my menopause specialist, after an examination she said I needed it daily as I had quite severe atrophy, I find it great, no more having to get up numerous times during the night for the loo, having days out without looking for a toilet every hour or so, no more stress or urge incontinence, no more itch and sex is vastly improved, in fact I orgasm too quickly now. Unfortunately I'm now relying on my gp to prescribe it and she refused daily application despite me explaining that I've tried reducing it and within a few days the symptoms return, the most she'd agree to is 3 a week which is only one more than the average dose and a reduction of 4 for me, I'm not looking forward to what's ahead. I should have expected this because I had to bypass her to get hrt to begin with, she's in her 50's but treats menopause like an 80 year old male (that's unfair actually, my 79 year old father seen what my mother went through and what I was experiencing previously, he's educated himself on hrt and is disgusted by the difficulties faced by women trying to access it. Mind you, him whispering to me that maybe my cousin could do with 'a patch' after he noticed her having a hot flush was hilarious, he meant it kindly though). The applicator is easy to use, it's so narrow and if you're extremely dry to start with use a little lube on it.

Your dad sounds lovely.

Actually, I've been prescribed Vagirux but I'm guessing it's the same as Vagifem.

I have used Vagifem for around 3 years. No issues with it at all and it has made a huge difference to the dryness I was getting.

Can I also ask how long before you noticed any improvement please?

I use it, and have done for about 6 month. It has helped and I use it along side Vaj oil from Naydaya. I find the two help.
probably could do with using more often but I can manage the symptoms.
No side effects.

Do you mean your GP suggested you took a break? @HPFA

If so, that is ridiculous and they clearly know nothing about this.

Vaginal estrogen is not absorbed except in the vagina.
The dose is minute.

If you use it for a whole year, it's the same as 1 day of HRT.

Honestly, the ignorance from some drs on this is scary.

Do you have a BP issue anyway as it's not usual to test BP regularly.

Everyone is different but it can help as quickly as a couple of weeks, to 6 months to reverse severe atrophy.

I use Ovestin cream instead - you can insert it with a long applicator but can also apply it directly to the vulva. I’ve found using this twice a week (after the initial daily use for 2 weeks) along with daily vaginal moisturiser (I use Yes) has transformed the problems I was having with vaginal atrophy (made worse by having to stop HRT and have chemotherapy). I still have to pee in the night but no longer have UTIs, itching or pain.

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 literally wouldn’t be able to have sex without my two doses a week. If I even miss one dose I can tell.

Yes, but less plastic as it has only one reusable applicator per pack of 28, rather than one per tablet!
It also costs the NHS less per prescription.

I've been using it for a few years and it's fantastic. I was getting frequent UTIs starting at the menopause (I had never previously had any urinary problems) but since using Vagifem I haven't had a single one and have felt much more comfortable. As a keen cyclist this has been a huge difference. (I started off on Vagifem but now use Vagirux because there is far less plastic.) I used it twice a week for the first few years but now find I need to use it 3 times a week. Anyway, it's been absolutely marvellous and I haven't had any adverse effects. I hope you will get the same benefit OP, good luck!

I'm going to start taking it tonight.

Thanks for the positive replies.

Actually, it s it best to use it at night time or does it not really matter what time of day?

I was on 5mg (very low dose) of Lisinopril and BP was stable at around 120/75.

Started on Vagifem and the next time I did a week's measurement it had gone up to around 150/90.

I'm now on 10 mg and it's come down into the normal range although not quite as low as it was before

It might be coincidence but need to make sure. Luckily while the non-hormonal alternatives don't work quite as well as the vagifem they're currently working well enough for it to not really be interfering with my life too much.

I hate the idea of the long stabby looking applicator!

I meant to add, now I'm using Vagirux I don't bother with the applicator at all but use my finger to insert the tablet.

I hate the idea of the long stabby looking applicator!

I meant to add, now I'm using Vagirux I don't bother with the applicator at all but use my finger to insert the tablet.

I think I prefer that idea.

I use it. It helps no end with my bladder irritability. I use my finger to insert it, I’m scared to death of the applicators.