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[Midnight Shadow]

Happy New Year to all. Please can anyone advise me if I can boost my vagifem for 3 weeks instead of two? I realise I should have carried on using Vagifem for the twice weekly regime, but thinking my burning had gone I didn't. I shan't do that again. I really want to get the Atrophy down as quickly as possible. I know there are other creams available, but they burn even more, as I have very sensitive skin. I tried Gynest cream, but that was awful.
Replies would be appreciated. Many thanks

[Dancinggirl]

I am certainly no expert but what you might want to do when you've done the 2 week reload is to use Vagifem 3 times a week - I know women do this as ongoing treatment.  The 10mg dose is very low and in fact Vagifem used to be 25mg twice weekly so using it 3 or even 4 times per week should be fine.
I do sympathise - the burning is truly horrid.  I still use a small amount MultiGyn Actigel every night after my shower to make sure the flora balance in my vaginal area is slightly acidic and this helps to prevent any bacteria or thrush taking hold which I find often aggravates the burning.  I also drink a glass of plain water at least 3 times a day to make sure my urine doesn't burn me. Do ensure you completely empty your bladder each time - I find if I'm burning that emptying my bleeder is harder because I am clenching. Another trick is to put your feet up for an hour around midday (if you can) and this takes the pressure off that area - sitting upright for any length of time really makes me sore.  I also try to consciously relax my pelvic floor as I am aware that when I am burning I clench and I think this stops circulation and causes more discomfort - I know this goes against the advice that doing pelvic floor clenches improves strength but I think this can also make things worse when in discomfort - I think doing some regular pelvic floor exercises and then also practising relaxing this area is possibly a good idea and helps when having a pee.. 
I recently looked at the NHS Choices website and it now states quite clearly that local oestrogen treatment is often needed as long term treatment.
Hope you feel more comfortable soon.  DG xxx

[Tinkerbell]

I recently saw a meno specialist who prescribed 2 x 10 mcg Vagifem for 2 weeks. Also in the letter she sent to my GP she said you could use Vagifem every day for a year and it would only be equivalent to one oral HRT tablet.

[dahliagirl]

http://www.pelvicphysiotherapy.com/release-exercises/  Pelvic floor relaxation

I was told by a physio that we should pelvic floor release as well as the clenches - I was expecting to be told how to do my pelvic floors again, so that was a surprise   It was in the context of my constipation problems, and pelvic floor dysfunction

I never managed to get down to 2 vagifem per week.  The initial loading gave promises of things to come, then they went.  I am trying 2mg Femeston with it now and this is the only time 2 per week has worked.

I am a fan of the Actigel too. 

[CLKD]

Yes.  Use it every night for 3 weeks then every 3rd night?  Let us know how you get on!

[Midnight Shadow]

Thank you for your replies. They are much appreciated. I will let you know how I get on.

[scriv]

I still maintain that a single 10mcg Vagifem is not adequate and with full agreement from my doctor, I now use 2 x 10mcg twice weekly, topping up sometimes with an extra one per week if I feel it is needed.

The worst thing they ever did IMHO was to get rid of the 25mcg.

[Katy]

Totally agree scriv - it is so unfair that the 25mcg dose was taken away, I am sure many women are suffering unnecessarily because of this!

Katy x

[Hurdity]

You can always try the Estring which gives as least as much as the 25 mcg I think - well it releases 7 mcg per day so could actually give more if the amount released from Vagifem tabs is less than the total in the tab IYSWIM!

Hurdity x

[scriv]

I don't think I could cope with inserting and removing the Estring

[Midnight Shadow]

Thank you for your replies. My Doctor has said that I can use the Vagifem more regulary until my symptoms subside more. I was relieved about that. Last time I used Vagifem, my symptoms went within several weeks. I shall not make the mistake of stopping them altogether.  Does anyone find that their skin is very red and inflamed in that area and do you get what seem to be small fissures ? I guess the fissures come because the skin is thin and lacking the Estrogen. I am finding the coconut oil very soothing. This was recommended by the Doctor who diagnosed my Atrophy. She no longer works at my Practice, which is a great shame as she was wonderful.
Sorry to be personal, but you are all so helpful on this site. Your replies are very much appreciated.

[Tinkerbell]

I used Ovestin cream on the outside as well as the Vagifem. If I didn't use both I got red inflamed skin with what felt like paper cuts.

My doctor was happy for me to use the Vagifem five times a week as that was equal to the old dose.

[babyjane]

My Vagifem routine is one x 10mcg every other night and about once every 6-9 months I do an every day reload for 10 days.  this with some estriol cream externally about twice a week keeps my bits comfortable and happy despite them shrinking away to virtually nothing!!!

[Autumn]

It's so interesting to read what you're all saying as I started Vagifem a couple of months ago and it did start to make a difference but in the the last couple of weeks things have been getting sore and painfully tight again.
I told my doctor today and because of what I'd read on here asked her if I should double up or increase application, she just said no and told me to come off it and has booked me in with a gynaecologist! She also said that she didn't know how they could help though as all that could help was oestrogen.

[Dancinggirl]

Oh Autumn - you have another clueless GP.  If you look at the NHS Choices website it now says that long term treatment with local Oestrogen is often necessary to alleviate VA etc.  The 10mg dose is very low so is unlikely to maintain things for many women.  Good to see a gynae though for peace of mind. DG x