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[countrybumpkin]

Oh the joys of menopause!  I was told I had caruncle at entrance to urethra 3 years ago when I was just becoming post menopausal by a urologist. I had started experiencing pain at end of urination.  At that time this was mild and I felt I did not need vagifem.  Fast forward to now and for past 2 years the painful wee has become constant although variable until a couple of months ago when it became much more painful and was leaving me very uncomfortable for time after a wee.  Plus I felt sore down below and tingly and at time itchy although swabs were clear.

I am wary of anything oestrogen because my mother died of breast cancer BUT past 10 days have been awful, constant ache in vagina and pain at end of weeing with the pain lasting for 10 mins afterwards and getting feeling as if I am going to wee myself

Got my lovely long suffering husband to have a rummage around down there last night and he said I had a lump at entrance to urethra and a patch of white on right side of vagine so off I went to Dr this morning.

Lovely young as in about 12 yrs old lady dr   who had a good old rummage and said it looked really really dry def atrophy and she could see the caruncle as well and said I really need to use vagifem. So I have got the stuff.

I have to go back to her in two weeks for another check up.

I know quite a few people on here use it and just wanted to know if I am likely to get any side effects ( the leaflet is awful as it covers all hrt) or what to expect please.

[whitestrand]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I used the Vagifem and it really helped (almost immediatly) with the itch but I was still tender, but it definately improved the raw feeling. Unfortunately, it has stopped working for me but I seem to be sensitive to everything at the moment   There's lots of great advice on here regarding gels and creams to use for dryness.....KY Jelly, Multi Gyn and a water based moist called yes (I haven't tried that yet!)
My mother also died of breast cancer but I am taking HRT.... as weighing up the pros and cons it definitely comes out a winner!! I am 54 though and my periods have stopped for over 4 years so it may be a different situation.
Good luck with the vagifem and hopefully it will work for you

[CLKD]

I wish that cancer wasn't linked as often to menopause treatments  as it can cause ladies to wait far longer that necessary to agree to treatment.

I had breast disease in 1995.  I insist on quality of Life and take responsibility for any treatments that 'might' increase the risk of recurrence.  Also vaginal treatments have a local uptake so it is unlikely to affect the rest of the body but does give almost instant relief to atrophy symptoms.  NO WAY could I have lived with the feeling of razor blades up there.

I rarely read the leaflets as they are printed to cover the Drug Companies  .  Give it a go, quality quality quality !

[countrybumpkin]

Thanks both.  Yes I am going to give it a go and fingers crossed it helps.  The urologist I saw told me that they use this with breast cancer patients because the absorption is so minute. 

[CLKD]

2 weeks initial loading at night ? then how often?  Hopefully once you realise how better you feel down there you'll wonder why you waited 

[countrybumpkin]

Yep every night for 2 weeks then twice a week after with 3 days between.

Has anyone had any side effects from it other than the improvement hoped for?  Just asking so if by any chance I do get something I at least know what it might be!

[lancashirelass]

Vagifem is v low risk.  Please dont worry

[countrybumpkin]

Thanks Lancashirelass. Well her goes am about to go to bed and will use first one tonight, wish me luck

[CLKD]

I now use Ovestin which keeps symptoms at bay.  ALL you will notice is improvement 

[Maryjane]

Country bumpkin........if the white patch doesn't go, and the other symptons remain......you need referring to a vulva dermatologist to be checked for LS lichen scerlosis.

[countrybumpkin]

Country bumpkin........if the white patch doesn't go, and the other symptons remain......you need referring to a vulva dermatologist to be checked for LS lichen scerlosis.

Yep Dr already told me this which is why I have to go back at end of month before she will give me any more vagifem to make sure that things look much better. She didn't think it looked white as my husband had said, she said it looked very dry rather than white and he did say it looks sort of whiteish.

I have to say what a difference one pessary makes!  You were right.  Much more comfy today - hadn't realised how I was constanty uncomfy and then the pain on finishing weeing.  I am still a bit uncomfy at end of wee and guess this may get worse as day goes on but I am amazed at the effect of one treatment, long may it last and have no side effects.

[CLKD]

Once you've had a week you'll wonder why you didn't ask sooner    - it is important to do the 2 week load.

[Annie0710]

Hi

I started vagifem in April, no side effects for me and almost instant good changes, no more UTIs since starting

Annie xx

[countrybumpkin]

As I thought by this afternoon the discomfort is back but onwards I go - I will make sure I do the two week loading and Dr said if at end of two weeks I am not alot better to go back rather than waiting for the month.

[CLKD]

So very slow absorption then  vaginal area only.  I think you'll get relief of symptoms over the weekend