Vagifem pessaries

VictoriaBun · 07/10/2019 22:09

I've been on them a few weeks now. Done the every night for 2 weeks and now on twice a week. Tbh I've not had any problems with thrush .
During the two-week daily, I did get some mild period pain like symptoms but they have now gone .
I don't feel I can comment about transforming lives as I'm not much further than you.
Hopefully someone will have all the answers for you soon.

Jingers5 · 07/10/2019 22:14

I was on it for a while. It worked initially but wasn't enough for the atrophy so l had to get hrt. It's awful though what we women have to go through.

Jingers5 · 07/10/2019 22:15

Also the replens is great too.

MotherOfSoupDragons · 07/10/2019 22:18

I'm on it, plus HRT and it's not helping in that dept, tbh. No side effects though.

LozzaDoug · 08/10/2021 06:52

Just been prescribed Vagifem for VA. Just a bit concerned after reading the side effects and the percentage of women not happy with it. I am 59 and would be interested to hear how people have got on with it

sandgrown · 08/10/2021 06:57

I had Vagifem with no problems but have been moved to Ovestin cream which seems ineffective. No sex life at the moment so I can’t comment on that aspect but I kept having symptoms like cystitis which was attributed to VA.

Wireless77 · 02/11/2021 14:16

Hi @sandgrown, hope you are feeling better. I wanted to ask about your cystitis like symptoms. I'm 44 and had my miracle baby 3 months ago. He's mainly on formula, but I pump. About a month ago or perhaps a little sooner I started getting vaginal soreness and bladder symptoms (pain, constant feeling of needing to go, some urethral tingling). Bladder is my weak spot anyway and I'm on long term antibiotics. No bladder infection was found, my specialist said my symptoms are due to lack of estrogen post birth and breast pumping (I haven't yet got my period back). So I'm having menopausal symptoms whilst not on menopause yet (as far as I know). Can I ask if Vagifem helped with your cystitis symptoms and how long did it take? What was your dosage regime? Thank you!

JinglingHellsBells · 02/11/2021 15:50

@Wireless77 I noticed you had also posted in the Meno forum but on a really ancient thread of 3 years ago, so am answering here.

Your dr is right in what they say. It's not menopause in your case but a combo of breast feeding and low estrogen post birth.

The dose is to use vagifem daily for 2 weeks but this can be increased to 3 or 4 if you need to.

After that it's 2 x a week but again it can be increased to 4 x if it's not helping.

The other product is Ovestin which is a cream so if Vagifem doesn't work or whatever, swap to Ovestin and try it.

It can take a few weeks to help and even months to improve really long term bladder conditions but don't give up!

JinglingHellsBells · 02/11/2021 15:51

@Jozzie

Hi I’m 54 and post menopause. I have had vaginal atrophy so I was prescribed Vagifem pessaries. I started using them last week so I have had thrush and little spotting and cramps! I heard it transforms women’s lives. Has anyone else had the same side effects? Do the side effects subside?

This is common @Jozzie Just keep going - side effects are common and will go- and if it doesn't work, try Ovestin which is a cream. I started on it 15 years ago and use it still (it's for life) and find it very helpful.

Wireless77 · 02/11/2021 16:04

Thanks a lot, @JinglingHellsBells!

AbstractExpressionist · 02/11/2021 16:22

I'm 68. I have used Vagifem for VA over the past 5 years and it has been life-changing. I was in agony and sex was impossible. It was prescribed by the consultant gynaecologist at the hospital. I've had no side effects at all. I also use Audavate (Betamethasone ointment) for sore vulval skin and it's helped a lot. I am prone to cystitis and have not had a bad attack for about three years. Keep taking the HRT until you find something to suit.

sandgrown · 05/11/2021 06:53

@Wireless77 sorry for the delay . I had to use it daily for two weeks then twice a week for 6 weeks . The relief was very quick and lasted months before I had to use Vagifem again but I wasn’t sexually active so not sure if that would be affected. I now use Ovestin but don’t find it as effective.

Wireless77 · 05/11/2021 16:06

Thank you for your responses, everyone!

Burningup · 09/08/2026 12:07

I am 81 so have been on Vagifem pessaries for decades only because I absolutely have too because it does not agree with me. I have chronic candida problems and doctor has now agreed with me it will be impossible for me to get rid of candida as need to take Vagifem for life.

My body tries to rid itself from the toxins from my body by way of sores which come out in mainly my back area. The doctors disagree that it is the Vagifem causing this but of course I know it has proved itself to me time after time and I have have had a hair analysis which came up with a double no although they said that it is well tolerated by most people.

On my last hospital visit I was embarrassed to let the nurse see the state of my back and she disclosed many women complain of this.

If you do not suffer like this great, I know of friends who are quite happy without any discomfort. My itch ranges from mild irritation to skin very hot and incredibly itchy driving me crazy. I hate having to take medication which is bad for me and please if anyone has found a solution I would be soo grateful

When I was on the heavier dose 25mg before it was changed to 10mg I was only itchy and hot for a while until the hrt was well established and it never got to the stage I had my back covered in sores. Obviously my body realised it was futile in trying to get rid of the toxins.

After a night of foot detox I felt incredible until the evening when I couldn't do anything for the intense burning itch. I presume my body was trying to get rid of the last of the hrt.

As I say if anybody has a solution I would be very grateful!

JinglingHellsBells · 09/08/2026 14:03