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[Dierdre]

I was looking back on old posts on Vagifem and found a post by scriv who had been using the 10mcg vagifem without success. She had been fine on the old 25mcg dose so had decided to use 2x10mcg twice a week with 1x10mcg in between, totalling the old 50mcg per week with success. Has anyone else tried this and had better results?

[Joaniepat]

Yes, I use Vagifem daily, so a total of 70 mcg per week. The Estring gives approximately the old dose too, at 7.5 mcg over 24 hours so 52.5 mcg per week.

JP x

[Tinkerbell]

A female GP at my practice said she was happy for her ladies to use Vagifem 5 x a week, she said when the dose was reduced many of her patients couldn't manage their VA. I use it every night and my GP is happy for me to do so.

[Whatsupwiththis]

Ditto joaniepat and tinkerbell.  Another daily user here.  GP insisted I use it daily.

[Dierdre]

My GP wont up the dose to 7 per week without my gynae's recommedation so waiting for appointment for that but also waiting for scan on thickened lining, suspected fibroid (on another thread) so doubt they will up the dosage yet.  Im officially 5 per week but even when i tried taking one every day for a while i was never 100%. I thought I'd try the 2x10mcg dose twice a week with the 1 x 10mcg in between to see if it gives a better hit.

I'm not sure how long this forum has been going but it seems there's alot of people not happy with the 10mcg but cant find many posts when it was 25mcg twice a week, or is that because there wasnt any problems with that dosage!

[Nairn]

I use every day on consultants recommendation. What I would be interested to know is if using it everyday there is still the same need for progesterone to stop any thickening of the womb lining if no other HRT is used.

[Dierdre]

I doubt it, taking Vagifem everyday is 3,650mcg per year, thats 3.65mg or 3 to 4 oral HRT tablets per year.

[Dierdre]

Joaniepat and Tinkerbell,  are you both also on full HRT with progesterone and is that why your doctors are happy for you to take Vagifem everyday?  I wonder if thats why mine and others just using Vagifem wont allow more than the maximum of 5 per week?

[Whatsupwiththis]

I am not on progestrone (well into menopause for 15 years) and my GP says Vagifem used daily to control symptoms is just fine.  I still have my womb.  Vagifem takes a very, very long time to work.  Some ladies give up when they don't get substantial relief within the 12 weeks Vagifem claims.  I am on 6 months of vagifem use and still have some discomfort.  My GP said it could take up to a full year before relief is at 80 to 90% better.  Keep in mind VA is chronic and as with any chronic condition, there will be great days, good days and some bad days.  That is our new normal.

[Joaniepat]

Dierdre and Nairncat, I am on oestrogen only patches, no uterus. The daily Vagifem was prescribed by a NHS menopause clinic and my GP just goes along with their recommendations. I also have Estriol Cream for the vulva. Whatsupwiththis is right about it taking a long time. Whether or not you have a uterus isn't relevant to using local oestrogen as there is no systemic absorption once the tissues are plumped up, thus endometrial protection would not be required for those using local products alone.

JP x

[Tinkerbell]

Deidre....i now have a Mirena but the meno specialist was happy to prescribe Vagifem everday without  progesterone and she informed my doctor of that, also adding that even everyday use only amounted to 3 HRT tablets a year. I did use Vagifem everyday for a year before i got the Mirena.

[Dierdre]

I really need everyday so im hoping the gynae will instruct my GP to up the dose. Im managing at the moment by using Ovestin as well externally and on the 2 days i dont use Vagifem i use this inside as  well as outside.

[Dierdre]

I think you're right whatsupwiththis, this is our new normal, after 5 years on Vagifem I'm still expecting things to improve to 100% all the time. I think I'm still in a bit of denial this is forever. I get 100% at weekends and the weeks I'm on holiday I feel totally normal again and i know once i retire and I'm not sitting all day at my desk I'll improve but still got a couple of years yet.  Had a bit of a stressful week so had a flareup again, it kinda knocks you back and makes you realise its never going away. Roll on summer, i always feel better then and the sun and vitimin D helps everything.

[Wrensong]

Hi Dierdre, another 5x Vagifem/week user here, plus Estriol 0.01% on external area.  This combination was prescribed by a well-respected NHS menopause clinic.  However, I need systemic HRT on top to help manage VA (plus other meno symptoms).  My Endocrinologist, who prescribes my HRT, suggested I go to Vagifem 7/week a while ago if need be.  As the other ladies have said, systemic absorption of topical oestrogens is said to be minimal once the integrity of the vaginal mucosa has been restored.

[Dierdre]

I did try full HRT for 6 months a  couple of years ago but to be honest it didnt make any difference to my VA, the side effects I had made me decide to stop and I had no other meno problems other than VA. I'm 63 now so not really a good time to start again.  If I subsidise with Ovestin I do manage with just 5 a week but sitting all day is not ideal.

Wrensong, do you take your 5 every other day or just miss 2 days?