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[Marianne Lyra]

Hello, I just wanted to report the effect that Vagifem had in me. I am 49 years old and my last period was 13 months ago. I have not taken any HRT other than this before.  After six days of taking Vagifem I had to stop due to depression symptoms, irritability and mood swings. I used to experience similar symptoms when I was younger and had strong periods, but not as strong as with Vagifem. After my son was born I suffered from postnatal anxiety, so maybe I am very sensitive to hormonal changes in my body. The lubrication with Vagifem was also excessive. I know that it is a small dose and very little gets absorbed, but in my case enough to cause serious side effects that are not listed on the leaflet. I guess I will have to go a natural route. I am at loss now. I am sharing  this in case someone else is feeling like this and are wondering if it could be the effects of this. I felt again well after I discontinue the use of Vagifem. Thank you.

[Hurdity]

Hi Marianne Lyra

 

Sorry to hear about how you feel Vagifem is affecting you.

What I would say, is if you can persist for longer then hopefully you will no longer experience any adverse effects. What happens is when the vagnal tissues become thin due to lack of oestrogen, and then you add oestrogen vaginally, this is absorbed very readily into the body, and although it is only a very small amount, perhaps as you say you are more sensitive to it.

Once the tissues are plumped up (oestrogenised) then hardly any is absorbed, and you will just feel the benefits in your nether regions! This can take 2-3 weeks and in severe cases a bit longer but the fact that you've only been taking it for 6 days after 13 months of no periods - points to absorption through thin vaginal tissues.

After you have reached a good level of oestrogen in your tissues ie they are plumped up, then you just continue with a maintenance dose of twice a week which is sufficient for many women.

Unfortunately vaginal atrophy does not go away and needs lifelong treatment to keep it at bay, and although the natural treatment may help in the short term, it is unlikely to do so in the longer term.

There are different treatment that you can try which you may find gentler, for example estriol creams ( two different strengths) or an estriol pessary called Imvaggis. They are all listed here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/local.php

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Marianne Lyra]

Hi Hurdity,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. Very helpful information that I will keep in mind. I will try something gentler and build it up slowly and see how that goes. I thought what I was taking had very little side effects, but I guess each body is different! 

Gratefully,
Marianne.

[Ayesha]

I can only echo what Hurdity has said. Try and build your treatment up slowly and fortunate you have age on your side because it's a treatment that works and the consequences of no treatment as you age, can be unpleasant.

The side effects you mention are rare but we can all react differently to anything we put in or on our bodies but hopefully you will get used to the treatment in due course. 

[CLKD]

What else is going on in your Life as I doubt whether VA treatment will cause depression.  I have suffered since 1989 and certainly VA treatment hasn't affected my moods although I have taken ADs every day since the 1980s.  It mayB that your periods are waxing and waning = mood swings/depression/anxiety.  Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary may help to chart progress. 

Some ladies do experience headaches for a few days after beginning 'vagifem' but as it's a very localised, small amount of oestrogen, any side effects should go away. 

U could ask your GP for 'ovestin'/estriol instead, same idea: every night for 2-3 weeks .  Do let us know how you get on.

[CrispyChick]

This is very interesting.

I'm not at that stage yet. I'm 48 and having the peri from hell. It's all due to my sensitivity to my own estrogen and the fluctuations of it.

Interestingly I also had post natal anxiety.

I'm fully aware that I might never tolerate hrt. And I'd also seen others say they find vag E goes systemic.

I think Blissel gel is one of the mildest. Probably worth a shot. I'll be keeping all this in mind.

X

[CLKD]

Also it may be the fillers rather than the active ingredient.