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[hellen]

Hi, just wondering how many of us are over 60 using a vaginal hrt cream or pessary, and did you find you had to increase or lowering your dose the older you got... xx

[Taz2]

Hi hellen - I was on just vagifem when I was younger but had to increase to full hrt as I got older. Now I am off both products at the moment, due to reaching 60, and really feel the difference.  Is it no longer working for you?

Taz x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi hellen
VA doesn't go away - I expect it just gets worse as you get older.  I'm using the Estring which is great and I expect to be having some kind of local oestrogen for the rest of my life (I'm now 58) to keep the horrible burning and discomfort away.
I suspect there are many, many women over the age of 60 who are quietly suffering because they feel embarrassed about he problems they are having in their private areas and probably think there is nothing that can be done. 
Keep using the local oestrogen treatment.  DG x

[babyjane]

I am not 60 yet so not sure I can contribute but just wanted to ask dancinggirl a bit more about the estring as I am considering talking to my GP about it when I go for my review in November. Vagifem is great but recently I have had to pop a crafty extra one now and again.
That reminds me I want to ask a question but will do it elsewhere.

[Joyce]

VA hasn't reared it's ugly head with me yet, although I expect it will before too long. I'm still using estradot patches, but on a very low dose.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi babyjane
Many women have to use extra doses of Vagifem so you are not alone on that one. 
I would say that if you are happy with Vagifem then adding an extra dose each week wouldn't be a bad thing. Vagifem used to be 25mg and many women found that worked much better than the reduced dose of 10mg which is now prescribed. Apparently it was decided by NICE that 10mg was more than enough but it's forced women to use it more often instead.
I tried Vagifem, Ovestin and Gynest but they all seemed to burn and irritate so my GP let me try the Estring.  I think it does give a slightly higher dose of oestrogen but it's giving a continuous dose which I'm sure must be better. AFter about 3-6 months my terrible burning and discomfort has reduced significantly - I still get some burning if I sit down for too long but I'm generally much more comfortable.  I think I will need to use some form of local oestrogen for the rest of my life.
You insert the Estring yourself - it's bit like putting in a tampon and you leave it there for 3 months and then change it.  You are aware of it for a day or so but after that you can forget all about it!!! Sex isn't a problem with the Estring in place - yes! I have been able to resume sexual relations even if it has to be a bit more gentle than it used to be.
Over the first few weeks, after inserting for the first time, I felt some tingling which felt as though the whole area was coming back to life - I even have that normal lubricating moisture one has when young!!! Even when on full HRT I was still very dry.
Hope that helps  DG x

[babyjane]

Oh yes thank you it really does help. I am going to ask my lovely lady GP  about it in November. I have thought for some time that a continuous dose could be better that vagifem on alternate days but I have done well on vagifem for 4 years now.

[Hurdity]

Hi hellen

I'm 61 and my experience was like Taz ie started on vag oestrogen then went onto full HRT (just under 54) but I stopped the vag oestrogen then as I was still peri and full HRT was enough. Then as I got into post-meno used the vag oestrogen as well. Still on both! Not sure what would be happening if I wasn't on full HRT - not sure my vag tissues would be as healthy as they are?

I am on the same overall HRT dose as when I started ie 50 mcg and the same maintenance vag oestrogen dose.

Hurdity x

[Trey]

I am well over sixty and on low dose estradiol patch and estradiol cream.  I will never go off either. All my gynaes, past and present, will do same.  I'm in US.
 


 
 

[Ju Ju]

I am 60 and have just been prescribed vagifem, and am taking low dose HRT, which I have been told I can take forever if I so wish.

[CLKD]

My VA began when I was almost 60 ……. will continue as necessary!

[scriv]

I'm 61 and have very severe VA. I  have been using Vagifem for about 8 years now as the only form of HRT - first of all the 25s and now the 10s but doubling up and more often.

I have been told I can carry on for ever which is great as without it, the  VA comes back with a vengeance and ensuing bladder problems.

 

[CLKD]

I had symptoms last night even though I had used the product the night before, I was unable to sleep so had several bathroom visits and could feel the dragging starting.  Home now so can relax a bit more.

[hellen]

Hi, thank you for all your replies, its reassuring to know that there are a few over 60s who have been using vagifem or ortho gynest, for a long period..  up to their 60s, like myself. what are the pros and cons do we all think off vagifem or ortho gynest..   it seems some of us have at some point had unsettled periods on vagifem from time to time. maybe we miss peanut oil base that the ortho gynest has, that would make the hormone last longer. heres another query, why have they dropped vagifem to two 10mcg the recommended dose a week , when the estring is 7.5mcg a day ...  i myself have been on some sort of vaginal hrt since 2003 .. although i did see a gyne who said i was cured lol.. mmmmmmmm..     if we could all review a product i.e. as products are on amazon, would vagifem get the most positive reviews i wonder lol.. what do you think... or is there really a marvelous moisturiser out there waiting for us all..

[Taz2]

I just want to say that even though I had to come off full HRT because of reaching 60 I am allowed to carry on with vagifem indefinitely. However, Vagifem on it's own is not enough to combat the soreness which is a shame. At the minute I'm not on Vagifem either due to having a vaginal hyster seven weeks ago.

Vagifem was changed due to the FDA in America requesting that the lowest effective dose of oestrogen be used. Not sure how they came up with the new low dose as being "effective" as most women seem to need extra!

Taz x