Experiences of Vagifem - side effects? Long term side effects?

[Flowersinthewateringcan]

I’m 50 and although I’m not having many hot flushes or night sweats etc I do have a few other potential peri related issues.

One being that, for the last few months I’ve been feeling a bit itchy and then very sore/stingy down below, it seems cyclical, mainly mid cycle and pre period. I don’t particularly enjoy sex anymore mainly because I just don’t feel in the mood for it but also because it leaves me feeling a little sore after.

Went to the GP today, explained all of this. She didn’t examine me just prescribed Vagifem. She said I’ll need it daily for the first 2 weeks then down to a maintenance level of one tablet twice a day.

Me being me (health anxiety sufferer!), I’ve googled reviews and side effects. Quite a few saying it helped immensely but others saying it caused anything from more irritation to uti’s and some saying it raised their blood pressure.

A few reviews said it caused terrible bloating which is my biggest concern as I suffer from awful daily IBS and certainly don’t relish the idea of further gut issues. I had an exacerbation of my gut issues when I trialled hrt and that has put me off trying again.

Does anyone use Vagifem? What has been your experience? Is it safe long term and does it carry the same risks as regular hrt?

I have been on it for over a decade with absolutely no side effects at all. Maintenance is two a week, btw, not two a day!

And no, it doesn't carry the same risks as other HRT as it stays down below. I can't see how it would affect your digestive system. That sounds like a separate issue.

I've been using Vagirux (which is the same) for over a year now. It's great! No side effects, but makes a huge difference to dryness and also the bladder irritation I was previously suffering.
The risk profile is NOT the same as HRT, although some of the Patient Information Leaflet reads as if it is. It is a tiny amount of localised estrogen in comparison.

Ask to switch to Vagirux though as it has fewer plastic applicators - comes with one reusable one for the month and a pack of tablets to insert in the end - much better!

muddyford oh yes, sorry twice a week (either a typo or my peri brain lol). I’ll correct that. I’ll give it a go, thanks.
Thanks Legacy I’ll definitely ask to switch after this lot, I hate the idea of lots of plastic waste.

Vaginal estrogen is not HRT (despite the media calling it that when they write about it.)

The list of side effects on the patient leaflet is a legal thing whereby anything with estrogen in it has to have that leaflet- which only applies to systemic HRT.
UK consultants have been pushing for years to get that leaflet changed.

As for women saying it raised their blood pressure that's simply impossible.
Topical estrogen (used vaginally or as part of full HRT) doesn't raise BP .

It stays where it's put and won't effect any other part of you.

I was also reading a post from a consultant today on X [Twitter] saying that it's been cleared now by new research to be suitable for women who've had breast cancer.

Use it and enjoy the symptom relief!

It's also safe to use long term because if you stop, the symptoms just come back.

I've used it for 16 years (so far!)

I bought it on a private prescription a few months ago - didn't bother trying to speak to my dr as knew I'd never get past the door!

I take it for the identical reasons to you really. Just feel a bit sore and itchy below and I know it's hormonal as it comes and it goes

I'd also recommend keeping a 'gash stash' and I apologise for the name I've given it

So I cycle through the below depending on how I'm feeling ...

Vagifem
Ovestin
Nadaya oil
Deo doc oil wash
Vagisil

And all the above (NOT all used at once!) mean that for the main part, all is relatively well down there

@JinglingSpringbells can it be used more frequently than twice a week would you say? Once the 'loading dose' of two weeks has passed.

Highly recommended by myself…was a sex life changer !!!!! Have been on it 5 years and am more than happy…

It's been amazing for me with zero side effects. I was so uncomfortable I couldn't sleep. It started to work after a couple of weeks and I've been taking it for a year.

Yes. Some women use it 3-4 times.

It's incredibly weak stuff. Using it twice a week for a year is the same as a daily 1mg dose of 'full' HRT.

Obviously if you had any odd side effects after using it more often, like bleeding, see your GP.

God I hate this!

I want the multiple blue plastic applicators back!

I keep dropping the tablets while I'm loading them in & end up scrabbling around on the floor looking for them!

They are such a pain!

Actually to the point I don't use them as often as I should & end up really uncomfortable!

Couldn’t get on with Vagifem. It gave me awful discomfort like labour pains. Switched to Ovestin and it’s brilliant x

I can’t use hormone preps but have found a gel that contains hyaluronic acid keeps everything healthy. Had an exam by gyni recently and she commented on how healthy my vagina mucosa looked.
I take Anastrazole which pretty much flatlines oestrogen . I’m not keen on using low dose localised oestrogen due to very high hormone sensitive breast cancer.
Hyalofemme has been great and can be used as a lube.
It will not beat hormones but it comes a close second.

Great, thanks everyone. I’ll get it tomorrow and try it out.

User0000009 Do you know why it caused such issues? I have enough issues with pain during my periods as I’ve had a failed uterine ablation and have now have post ablation syndrome, certainly don’t need anymore pain so I’ll have to watch out for that as a potential symptom. Will try the Ovestin if that’s the case.

Angrymum22 thanks for the recommendation, I’ve just ordered a free sample.

I’m not altogether sure but maybe I had a reaction to the fillers? Or maybe because Vagifem is Estradiol and Ovestin is Estriol which I’ve had no adverse reaction to and so it suits me better. We are all different so bit of trial and error. See how you get on x

Would this help with an irritated bladder? I’m wondering if I should request this from the doctor

Ovestin definitely has. It’s changed my life x

Before I started using it, I was having urine infection on top of urine infection, I was itchy & uncomfortable! Sex was so painful if I could even contemplate it!

I was on a forum about urine infections, and followed a link & realised it might be vaginal atrophy.

Booked a GP appointment, she took one look at my vulva & said how long have you been putting up with this!

It was & had been life changing - until the pesky new packaging!

I've been using Vagifem for about 5 years.
For about a year I've been using it daily, and can now go all night without needing to get up umpteen times for a wee!
The pharmacy did give me Vagirux once, but like a pp I couldn't use it due to dropping the tablets.

I can't imagine how this happens, unless you have arthritis or perhaps poor eyesight?

I find it helps if you separate the applicator into the two parts and load the first part (begin to pop a tablet from the pack and then load directly into the top of the applicator). Then insert the first part of applicator into position inside the vagina, then insert the 'inner bit' and click into position to pop out the tablet inside you.

I really couldn't bear seeing all those blue plastic applicators fill the bin! Although I do know someone who used them to label plants in pots and on her allotment! 😂

Helped enormously with mine. Was going every hour. Now every 3-4 hours.

My vag didn't like it, it gave me a mild burning sensation and smelly discharge. I wanted to use it for my bladder.

If I feel a bit dry or delicate I use Australian Bodycare Femi Daily, it's cooling and smells of tea tree oil.

I couldn’t use it.

It gave me permanent thrush