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[moraira]

Hello, I am 73 and suffering with vaginal atrophy. Recent request to my G.P for Vagifem ended with me being prescribed Yes V.M to try first as he is reluctant to give me Vagifem as there could be a risk of dementia to older women using vaginal oestrogen. Are there any  “mature” ladies of my age group who are being prescribed it? Thanks in advance

[Joaniepat]

Hello moraira, welcome to the Forum.

Risk of dementia from vaginal oestrogen? Never have I heard such b*ll*cks. Ask for the source of this information, or better still, see another doctor. I am 71, use Vagifem nightly, plus estriol cream on the vulva, and still have all my faculties.

JP x

[Whatsupwiththis]

I am 70 and my GP was perfectly happy to prescribe Vagifem for as long and often as needed.  Joaniepat said it right on the money.  B.S.!  There is a concern with older ladies taking SYSTEMIC HRT not local.  Hope this addresses your concerns

[Wrensong]

Hello Moraira, I'm so sorry you met with this response from your doctor & agree with Joaniepat that he seems to be misinformed.  Vaginal oestrogens are very low dose and after the initial few weeks when the condition of the vaginal tissues has been improved & forms something of a barrier, very little gets into the system.  It's said that a whole year's use of Vagifem at the recommended dosage equates to no more than one oral oestradiol tablet.  It's a drop in the ocean, but can have very beneficial effects where we need it to work its magic.

As JP says I would go to another GP, but perhaps first ask a receptionist or practice nurse which doctor is most likely to be well informed & sympathetic about menopause issues. 

There is much information about atrophy on this site & Newson Health's website is another great resource.

   And good luck.
Wx

[Postmeno3]

I have just been prescribed Vagifem x5 a week. I'm 69 next week! I had already had Estring in for years. I have also just been prescribed systemic low dose HRT. Quality of life and all that. Sounds like it's your doc who has dementia or selective memory! Go to it!

[Suza]

Hi postmeno3
Can I ask which hrt you were prescribed, patches or gel?
Did you have to fight to get this on the NHS?
I'm currently being refused restarting hrt at age 63 even though I've only asked for the lowest dose of patches ☹️

[Postmeno3]

Hi. Patches. A menopause clinic will sort you out. Just insist on a referral. Mostly, it's the only way forward. Good luck!

[Postmeno3]

Suza P.S. Quote the NICE guidelines at them and, if still meeting resistance, approach Dr. Currie MBE (!) on here. At £30 a pop, it's the best and most influential thing I ever did. Info on the top pink bar here, under "Contact".

[Suza]

Thanks postmeno
I've quoted the nice guidelines to them till the cows come home, with no effect☹️
Thanks for your help

[moraira]

Hello moraira, welcome to the Forum.

Risk of dementia from vaginal oestrogen? Never have I heard such b*ll*cks. Ask for the source of this information, or better still, see another doctor. I am 71, use Vagifem nightly, plus estriol cream on the vulva, and still have all my faculties.

JP x

Hi JP

Thanks for your welcome to the forum and your comments.
It was good to hear you are of a similar age to me and still have all your faculties after using Vagifem!! I will be contacting the surgery tomorrow and hopefully will be able to see another Doctor who will be better informed about prescribing Vagifem.  Thanks again you have made me feel a whole lot better reading your comments.

M.

[moraira]

I am 70 and my GP was perfectly happy to prescribe Vagifem for as long and often as needed.  Joaniepat said it right on the money.  B.S.!  There is a concern with older ladies taking SYSTEMIC HRT not local.  Hope this addresses your concerns

Hi
Hi Whatsupwiththis,

Thanks for your reply, good to hear your GP has prescribed you Vagifem and hopefully I too will get it for as long and often as needed. I did stress I wasn’t asking for systemic HRT but it made no difference to him.  Thanks again, your reply has certainly helped address my concerns.

M.

[moraira]

Hello Moraira, I'm so sorry you met with this response from your doctor & agree with Joaniepat that he seems to be misinformed.  Vaginal oestrogens are very low dose and after the initial few weeks when the condition of the vaginal tissues has been improved & forms something of a barrier, very little gets into the system.  It's said that a whole year's use of Vagifem at the recommended dosage equates to no more than one oral oestradiol tablet.  It's a drop in the ocean, but can have very beneficial effects where we need it to work its magic




As JP says I would go to another GP, but perhaps first ask a receptionist or practice nurse which doctor is most likely to be well informed & sympathetic about menopause issues. 

There is much information about atrophy on this site & Newson Health's website is another great resource.

   And good luck.
Wx

Hi Wrensong,

Thanks for your welcome and reply, he does seem to be very misinformed or confused about prescribing Vagifem.  Perhaps he should be reading this forum and Newson Health website to become aware of why women need and ask for HRT.  I will be speaking to my GP surgery tomorrow and asking who is most sympathetic when dealing with menopause issues.

Thanks again,
M

[moraira]

I have just been prescribed Vagifem x5 a week. I'm 69 next week! I had already had Estring in for years. I have also just been prescribed systemic low dose HRT. Quality of life and all that. Sounds like it's your doc who has dementia or selective memory! Go to it!

Hi Postmeno3,

I will certainly “go to it” after yours and all the other replies I have received!
What a lovely bunch of supportive and well informed ladies we have on this
forum. You have all made me feel so much better and determined to stand my ground and not be fobbed off by a not so well informed Doctor.

Thanks again Postmeno3 and Happy Birthday for next week !

M.

[Postmeno3]

Thank you. Keep us posted!

[CLKD]

I go to the top of our stairs 

Your GP is mis-informed.  Your GP is probably watching costs?!?! but surely YesVM is cheaper over the counter than on prescription?

Quality of Life Girls, QofL!  Ring the Surgery and tell them that you would like to have a prescription for 'vagifem' or 'ovestin' left 4 U to pick up  .  Let us know how you get on!

   there is actually no legal terminology for elderly