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!

Just been prescribed this for painful sex, uti's, itchy and sore front and back, lower stomach pains, frequency with urination especially during the night. I've seen a lot of negative reviews online about it causing headaches, nausea, bleeding, weight gain etc, so reading these comments have made me feel better and I will start it tonight 🤞

I hope that works out for you fultime. I've found it marvellous - I've had no side effects just huge benefits! (Just to add, as you probably know you may have to give it a couple of weeks to kick in.)

Thanks 🤞🤞

I would imagine that those side effects are due to HRT not vaginal oestrogen?

No it was on a menopause site women who had gone through menopause and were no longer on hrt

Well that's probably why they were having them then.

May I ask what this is prescribed for? Vaginal dryness? How is that linked to leakage or cystitis please?

It is for vaginal dryness and atrophy. It works to support the whole genitourinary system.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/more-than-a-little-vaginal-dryness-how-vaginal-hormones-can-transform-lives/

Unfortunately after 6 months of use it did bugger all for me.

I’m now on an estrogen patch, separate progesterone and testosterone and I feel wonderful and no longer dry, and my libido is very, very healthy 🤣

The advantage of HRT outweighs the risks. My sister in law wanted to do everything naturally and now at the age of 57 has terrible osteoporosis. She is now looking into HRT. What put her off was the cancer scare mongers. She drinks and I don’t, drinking is the more likely candidate to cause cancer according to the statistics 🤦‍♀️, she’s in agony now.

The estrogen literally lubricates and not just down below. It’s the happy hormone, and if you have a uterus you have to take progesterone to avoid cancer.

Having what? Symptoms or side effects? Why would that make any difference?

How far in do the tablets need to go as I can't use the applicator I'm too dry so I'm using my finger but it doesn't get far. Thanks

I have started this I think, (long white plastic applicator?), its upstairs so cant remember the name

I did the 2 week thing, I thought I would never get the applicator in first of all because I was so dry and it wouldnt go in. However much better now, more moist, less itching. But I struggle to remember the twice a week and so havent been consistent, so need to concentrate on that

Even when I was consistent after the first 2 weeks I thought I noticed a deterioration so perhaps twice a week isnt enough. I'll keep going and see how it works out

Its difficult to explain but I eventually went on this because I had a couple of accidents, literally couldnt feel the wee coming out untill it was running down my legs, with sudden urges. It seems better controlled now with more sensation of being able to stop and start wee if I need to (still not perfect though)

fultime When I first started I can remember it was quite difficult to insert and just did it as far as I comfortably could. I used it at night so that I would be lying down and it wouldn't fall out.

bellac11 I've been using it for several years now and find I need to use it 3 times a week. I also do an occasional reload of every day for 2 weeks (probably about once a year) when I feel things are starting to get a bit dry again (I always use my finger rather than the applicator so can tell when I need to do this).

I’ve been using it for years but think I now need to uo my dose. I was having a lot of UTIs before that. I sometimes forget a dose and really notice the effect if I do. My doctor is useless. Most of what I‘ve learnt has been on these boards.

Me too. Prefer finger.

I’ve been using Ovestin cream for about 2 years now. Noticed dryness and irritation and eventually went to see female doc who was great. Took it daily for 3 weeks then 3x week for 3 weeks, had a check up she said it looked much better down there. Have continued with 2-3x week. I now have no symptoms there at all, all feels great. The only thing it hasn’t done is find my libido which has gone walkabout, but then I didn’t expect it to.

Oh, so this is what I need?
I am getting increasingly fed up with the niggling “is it, isn’t it antibiotic worthy?” uti feeling that I now seem to permanently have.
Don’t suppose that will also make any difference to the never ending period that sometimes turns up too?

If you’re having problems inserting your vaginal estrogen because of dryness it would probably be worth using a vaginal moisturiser first. I use vaginal moisturiser daily as well. Yes is a good brand and (depending where you live) you can get it prescribed by your GP.

How far in do you manage to get it with a finger?

A) probably yes
B) I'd guess not.

I’ve got some Ovestin from the gp as Ive started to need to wee all the time again. I’ve used it as directed but every time I use it I bleed loads after. I had a mirena 10 weeks ago & have been spotting ever since, but this is full on heavy red blood. Is it normal?

I dont think a finger would go in for me!! It had virtually closed up!

i have now got ovestin, thanks to a thread here, and am being patient, as it says it can take a few weeks to work, but feel hopeful

Have you all been getting this on prescription from your doctor ? I paid for mine through an online GP service (not cheap but I was desperate to try it and didn't want to waste time - new physical relationship and was embarrassed by sudden dryness down there that I had never experienced previously). I am only 43 so not sure if my GP would prescribe this for me ? It is working for me and no side effects.