Vagifem pessaries

[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?

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.

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.

Also the replens is great too.

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

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

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.

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!

@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!

@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.

Thanks a lot, @JinglingHellsBells!

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.

@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.

Thank you for your responses, everyone!