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!

Yes, prescription but I started mid 50s and the female GP who's about my age had told me beforehand to ask when I needed it.

Been using it for a few years. Transformed my gnarly vag back to its former glory. My gynaecologist says I need to use it three times a week. It did give me a mild headache in the mornings but that seems to have resolved. I find twisting it as you insert makes it more comfortable.

It's working well for me, but I hate the stabby plastic thing, it's really awkward to insert, I wish they'd make it out of something softer like silicon maybe.

Twist it slowly as you insert it

Its narrow, and smooth plastic, easier than tampons ever were. I guess a bit of lube could help, especially at first before it's done it's magic.

If you prefer you can extract it and insert with a finger instead. It doesn’t need to go all the way up to the cervix, in fact lower down is closer to the urethral tract to help with bladder issues.

I didnt know this, I have been trying to get it all the way in if possible. I will try it lower down because thats where my problems are

Its also the itching, the god awful itching that is one of my main symptoms

Have you tried vaginal moisturiser for the itching? If you buy it in a tube (rather than the vaginal applicators) you can apply it liberally around your vulva. Might be helpful?

And/or you could ask for Ovestin estrogen cream that you can apply externally as well as vaginally either in addition to or instead of Vagifem.

@over50andfab Brilliant idea - thank you.

@GettingMarriedAgain Could you perhaps give me the names of a few vaginal moisturisers? I haven't seen any in my chemist and when I asked the assistant pharmacist, she looked at me like I had two heads and just pointed me to the feminine hygiene place and they only had those abrasive douche/'cleanser'/vaginal deodorant things.

Try these people

https://www.yesyesyes.org/collections/all-products?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpXM6sjAggMVHgMGAB3TkAkgEAAYASAAEgInX_D_BwE

From Boots you can get Vagisil and their own brand ( a bit stingy at first). I prefer the Vagisil.

https://www.boots.com/vagisil-medicated-creme-30g-10007183?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--supplier_funded---_-SF_J%26J_PC_Aveeno_PMAX_23&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqsPApcnAggMVbwUGAB3Hqgp-EAAYASAAEgKlSfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I use Estriol and it has changed my life.

This diagram makes clearer where everything is in relation to the vagina and urethra. If I were to be prescribed the generic version of Vagifem with the reusable applicator, I’d always insert with a finger instead as much simpler.

It helps to include where the itching is. If internal in the vagina try Yes VM (vaginal moisturiser) as linked above. Some women prefer Yes OB (oil based) which can be kinder to irritated tissue and longer lasting.

If the irritation is external in the vulva try an emollient ointment (in a tub) - available OTC from a pharmacy from the skin section or online. Lots if brand names including Epaderm, Hydromol, Cerave, Epimax, Cetraban, Zeroderm. It’s helpful and productive, preventing friction and protecting against irritation and should leave the tissue nice and soft. It can also be used to wash with.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/emollients/#:~:text=Emollients%20are%20moisturising%20treatments%20applied,as%20eczema%2C%20psoriasis%20and%20ichthyosis.

Estriol as mentioned above comes mostly in a cream/gel form - in the U.K. Ovestin, Estriol 0.01% (contains peanut oil) and Blissel gel. Some of us also need this for the vulva. It can help to take a regular look to note any changes.

I use Yes which I order online (the applicator tubes can be prescribed by the GP). It doesn’t have any nasty irritants which some of the ones you can buy in the chemist do.

This podcast episode is about sex in menopause after cancer but it might have some useful information in it for you about lubricants, moisturisers etc:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-menopause-and-cancer-podcast/id1631842514?i=1000578606573

The applicator is a lot easier than a tampon you don't really feel it.
Was great removed all symptoms I only needed it for around 8 months.

@jannier the point of it though is not for a temporary fix. It is for constant use after menopause as a support against vaginal atrophy.

I know went into total menopause after chemo but after about 8 months found I no longer needed it. If problems start again I'll re start.

but there may be no symptoms....

https://patient.info/doctor/atrophic-vaginitis

Have awful pain in my neck shoulders and arms, nausea, pelvic pain and really bad vertigo. Up in the night really sick. Could this be an adverse reaction to the oestrogen?

No one here can answer that for you. Best to discuss with your doctor. Hope you feel better soon.

I hope you feel better soon fultime. You sound very under the weather.

I started taking Vagifem two months ago. I had an immediate improvement after two weeks. Mostly for dryness, itchiness, bladder. I'm generally sleeping through the night without needing a bathroom trip. I'm still a bit itchy at the clitoris so I'll look into Yes or Vagisil. Dryness has cleared up. It's good to feel normal again.

Maybe more related to menopause itself which might cause these symptoms, though worth mentioning to your Dr. If you've just started using topical estrogen keep in mind it's a tiny dose with little systemic absorption. Used for a year the dose is the total equivalent of 1 oral HRT pill.

I wanted to know if anyone else had similar side effects that's all

I'm 69 and way past menopause thankfully