Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Blot]

Hi. Different question so a different thread.

Just used vagifem and when I took the applicator out there was some sticky gluey stuff on the end. The tablet dispensed ok but I've not noticed this before, the applicator has always come out clean.  This is day 6 of my second attempt at using vagifem.

Yesterday I felt that things were sticking together rather than being lubricated as well so I used a little bit of sylk and then I was sore all day and continue to be sore.

Any ideas what is going on? I'm worried its not working.

I'm determined to at least use this for the 14 days every day and see how I get on but I'm struggling. Anyone get worse before they got better when first using. I was ok until yesterday 

[Dancinggirl]

The vagifem pessaries are designed to stick to the sides of the vagina so the oestrogen can absorb. I find there is always some sticky residue which is probably the element of the pessary that causes some irritation. Vagifem is not going to provide lubrication and that is why one needs to use moisturisers alongside, however not at the same time as the moisturiser may prevent absorption,  so I suggest you use the vagifem at night and use a good dollop of moisturiser in the morning to help disperse the remaining residue. During the initial 2 week load there will naturally be more of a build up of this residue.
When i tried the oestrogen creams they tended to seep out more and irritate my urethra, so I didn't like this, but for those that find the skin of the vulva is sore the cream can be helpful.
I burned quite a bit during the first 2 week load and it took some weeks for things to truly settle. This oestrogen treatment is such a tiny dose it will take time to restore things. Many women need to add full systemic HRT to get proper relief but for you it is early days yet. Improvements can take many weeks for some women.
Using vaginal moisturisers is vital to the whole regime and I would suggest you use SyLK 2-3 times through the day to make things more comfortable.
I did give the section from the NICE guidelines on your other thread - do read it again as I hoped you would find it helpful. DG x

[Taz2]

I always thought that the sticky gluey stuff was my own secretions as things began to "wake" up? I did have one that didn't attach properly but this left a gritty substance not sticky.  It is difficult to know whether you are allergic to the fillers which could soreness although I would have thought that would have been apparent by the second day. Have you used Sylk before as I can't tolerate this product. It makes me very sore.

Taz x

[Dierdre]

The sticky gluey stuff is the previous dissolving tablet and you've touch it with the applicator. I get this sometimes as I take daily and  there is always one up there, each one takes a couple of days to dissolve. If the Sylk is burning stop using it and give the Vagifem time to work. You have to be patient I'm afraid, it's not an overnight fix and needs time to repair the damage caused by the loss of your own oestrogen.

[Dancinggirl]

It can be worth trying the YES moisturisers which many women love but I don't find this as good as SYLk - we are all different.
I definitely find a sticky residue the next morning after using Vagifem when I push my moisturiser up inside - I often use a bit of Mutli Gyn Actigel as well just to ensure the flora balance is good.
The first 2 weeks of daily use can be tough - it can take time for the oestrogen to restore the area and therefore make it less sensitive to everything.  The urethra and bladder that have oestrogen receptors will take longer to revive I think. I believe the skin becomes so fragile due to the oestrogen deficiency and the urethra is being constantly irritated by the urine so perhaps take longer to restore. I place my Vagifem just half way up to hopefully target the urethra and bladder better. DG x

[Dierdre]

The YES water based products  are the only ones I can use without burning. As Dancinggirl said insert the applicator half way,  not aiming for the back and high as you would inserting a tampax but aiming for the pubic bone. This will place the tablet on the anterior wall hopefully and benefits the bladder.

[Blot]

Thanks Everyone.
. I was using vagifem in the morning because I had a bad experience the first time I used it at night. I may go back to nights now but I was told it didn't make any difference. Seeing as I used this about 5am this morning would it be ok to use again late tonight?

I didn't realise the tablets take a few days to dissolve. Does that mean the oestrogen takes a few days to be absorbed as well or is that done straight away and it's just the fillers remaining? As long as it's not coming out in one piece I suppose it will be ok? I've tried looking on the vagifem website but it's not much use and you can't seem to ask any questions.

How are you using the moisturisers internally? Just with your fingers or with some kind of applicator? I have sylk and have just ordered some yes to try.

What do you do about soreness on the outside? I sat in a warm bath with a bit of bicarbonate in it yesterday and it did help but I've read not to have baths. I've also just had a drink of water with bicarbonate in it as well. I'm trying everything!

It's a nightmare all of this but I'm encouraged by what you say about burning at first and it taking a good while to settle. My gp did mention systemic hrt but as I have no other symptoms I'm not that keen but will think about it later.

I realise I am being a right pain in the backside but I don't feel I'm coping well at all and who do you talk to about this?  Having these conversations helps me a lot.

[Dierdre]

I use at night now, I think it dissolves better less movement and gravity  so more chance of sticking to the wall. The oestrogen releases gradually while it's dissolving, I suppose that why some people only need to use two or three times a week but we all have different needs. The YES come in little 5ml applicators and you just break off the top, insert and squeeze. You can also get the bigger tubes you use as and when with a finger internally and externally but I'd use at a different time to the Vagifem. I only ever shower with water and Cetraben cream then rinse off well. I also use a pea size amount of Ovestin outside everynight. 

[Dancinggirl]

Good advice from Diedre.  I push the moisturiser and Multi Gyn up with my finger.  Bathing with bicarb dissolved in water is a good idea - it depends what is sore - is it the whole vulva area or is it mainly the urethra that is burning and sore? Perhaps try just bathing your intimate area with only water with a bit of baciarb - any soap or general cleansing product will make things sore if it's already compromised. Never wash your hair in the shower while standing up either ( it gets to that delicate intimate area)  - shampoo is awful for the lady bits.

The discomfort you are experiencing is very distressing and so many of us have experienced this but got it under control. The anxiety and clenching makes things so much worse. Do try lying down with you feet up a bit higher and totally relax you device floor for 10 -30 mins a couple of times a day if you can. You probably find that the burnin isn't too bad first thing sin the morning as you've been lying down and the pressure on the urethra has been relieved. Don't sit on plastic or leather chairs either as this makes the intimate area too hot and sweaty. If I visit my sister in hospital and sit on one of those ghastly plastic chairs, I can guaranteed I will be burning after that. 

The soreness outside could be an imbalance of the vaginal flora and the general dryness,  this is why the Multi Gyn Actigel can help - I know it stings a bit at first but it will help and I find it soothes after a few minutes - just don't use too much. Do try the YES moisturisers though as you may get on better with this. Keep going and once you are doing twice weekly things may have started to settle a bit more.  BUT, you do need to relax.  DG x

[Blot]

The Yes applicators are quite expensive. I ordered the tube to try. I'm not keen on using the multi gyn on the inside in case I set things off again. How long before using the vagifem can you use the moisturiser?

I feel like I'm sore and swollen inside, just inside the entrance to the vagina. I think somebody else mentioned that when they first started using it. I'm assuming that's the oestrogen plumping things up? Otherwise I'm having a reaction 

I'm lying down now. Been awake since before 5am and just stayed in bed. I just wish I could think about something else.

As for plastic chairs, we have them at work and do make things worse if you are sweating.

I really don't want to go running back to the doctors just yet over this as I haven't given it time. Can you tell I'm overly anxious? 

Thank you.

[Taz2]

Have a 

Taz x

[Dierdre]

You get the YES WB 5ml applicators on prescription now, asked your doctor for them. I use them either a couple of hours before using vagifem  at night or the morning after. You might want to lay on the bed a while so it don't all run back out 😃

[Katejo]

You get the YES WB 5ml applicators on prescription now, asked your doctor for them. I use them either a couple of hours before using vagifem  at night or the morning after. You might want to lay on the bed a while so it don't all run back out 😃

   I have just looked on the YES website at the difference between YES VM and Yes WB. It seems that the VM type is more appropriate for VA?

Do you order from their own site or from another one?  Can VM be applied without an applicator? I could ask my GP about getting it on prescription but want to order a small amount first to try out. I would actually feel a bit guilty about asking for it on prescription. I get free prescriptions because of other medication I take which is on the exemption list. I'd be willing to pay the NHS for items not on the list and I asked a pharmacist about doing so this week but they don't do  that.

[Dancinggirl]

You can usually get all the moisturisers on Amazon and if you subscribe to Amazon prime  you often get free delivery ( it will  day Prime if it's free delivery). I've always found putting the moisturisers on the end of my finger and pushing it up inside works well.
Try to air your lady bits as much as possible - heat and sweat will make things sore. I never wear pajama bottoms or pants in bed - I really can't inderstand why anyone would - let your lady bits get some air.  I love a long T shirt or nightshirt.
DG x

[Blot]

I've ordered the Yes VM from their own website to try. It's costing me a fortune this is.

I've just been out for a wander around the shops to try and distract myself and had to stop myself buying a caneston testing kit in case I've got an infection. Of course I haven't. I was swabbed at the gum clinic on Monday so it's highly unlikely that I've developed something since then. It's hard not to get carried away with it all. I just think my symptoms must be different from everybody else's?

When all this started, I just felt like I needed to wee all the time and I thought that was bad enough. Now it's the soreness inside and out, which sometimes makes me think I need to wee but I know I don't. How can that have developed from just needing to wee?

I have so many questions and there is nowhere to find anything out, other than people who have been through it on here.