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Original poster

Vagifem - depression

30 replies

historicalnews · 28/01/2024 13:42

I started the loading dose of vagifem three days ago for symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy and my mood has really dropped. I think the dose is tiny (?) so it seems very unlikely to have anything to do with the vagifem but just thought I'd ask in case anyone else had experienced the same.
I should say that I've had a history of depression since pnd originally. Most recently I've been fairly stable on ADs for a while.
I'd really like to stick with the vagifem if possible (and also it will be an even lower dose after the initial two weeks (?)) but I do have to be very careful with my mental health and hormones.

OP posts:
TheLurpackYears · 07/03/2024 22:04

I was so ill at the same time I was using Vagifem. I had a 3 week long migrain that at times I couldn't see and at one point I could speak but couldn't choose which words I was saying and mostly said "arm" over and over.
I'm absolutely fine using ovestin and the applicator is much more comfortable.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/03/2024 23:44

historicalnews · 07/03/2024 21:57

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor I don't know if this helps but I spoke to my practice nurse who has a special interest in menopause / HRT.
She said that although it's tiny doses she has had other people affected originally by vagifem / Ovestin. Her view is that where vaginal atrophy has been untreated for a while - there is potentially significant skin damage and this means that more of the vagifem enters the blood stream.
Once the skin starts to heal then the side effects reduce.
This is what happened with me so it seems to make sense.

Interesting and makes sense. I just can't cope with the headache and nausea though,I feel so ill with it, I don't have severe atrophy,I was prescribed it by my consultant who said I was 'slightly dry.' I wanted to use it as I have been experiencing bladder issues so I thought it might help. Last time I used a quarter of the loading dose and still felt so ill.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/03/2024 23:45

TheLurpackYears · 07/03/2024 22:04

I was so ill at the same time I was using Vagifem. I had a 3 week long migrain that at times I couldn't see and at one point I could speak but couldn't choose which words I was saying and mostly said "arm" over and over.
I'm absolutely fine using ovestin and the applicator is much more comfortable.

I wonder if I'm the opposite and should try Vagifem? I'll speak to the GP.

Original poster
historicalnews · 08/03/2024 07:51

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor
Ps I agree with your point re how frustrating it is to have side effects dismissed. It's like a form of gaslighting.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/03/2024 08:42

historicalnews · 08/03/2024 07:51

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor
Ps I agree with your point re how frustrating it is to have side effects dismissed. It's like a form of gaslighting.

I agree.

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