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[TizzyWizz]

Hi everyone,

After recently coming to understand I have had symptoms of GSM developing in the last few years I have started vaginal oestrogen and moisturiser. It’s early days but I’m hopeful.

However, I am in need of some suggestions as I suspect my vagifem tablet is not fully dissolving in my vagina. Oestriol cream irritates me so I either have to find a way to help this tablet dissolve or consider some other preparation.

Does anyone have any experience of this or advice or suggestions please?


Keen to make some progress after a few years of discomfort and complete loss of feelings of femininity!   

[VioletAquarius]

Why do you suspect the vagifem isn't dissolving?

Is it 'coming out' still in the tablet shape, or just as a discharge?

If it's coming out as a discharge, as long as there's not loads, and doesnt appear to be the whole tablet I think that's okay, I think some may come out, much like a cannestan pessary for thrush.

And are you pushing it as far up as it will comfortably go?

[Dierdre]

It usually takes 24 hours to completely dissolve so unless it's coming out whole don't worry. You could apply some moisturiser to the pessary just to give it a head start and make it easier for the pessary to stick to the vagina wall if you are very dry.

[TizzyWizz]

Why do you suspect the vagifem isn't dissolving?

Is it 'coming out' still in the tablet shape, or just as a discharge?

If it's coming out as a discharge, as long as there's not loads, and doesnt appear to be the whole tablet I think that's okay, I think some may come out, much like a cannestan pessary for thrush.

And are you pushing it as far up as it will comfortably go?

Hi Violet- thanks for your response.
So the vagifem comes preloaded on a blue applicator and when I go to put the next applicator in 24 hours later some of the previous days tablet sticks to it and comes out when I withdraw the applicator - and it does seem like it’s a softened tablet. Very hard to tell how much is getting absorbed.

[TizzyWizz]

It usually takes 24 hours to completely dissolve so unless it's coming out whole don't worry. You could apply some moisturiser to the pessary just to give it a head start and make it easier for the pessary to stick to the vagina wall if you are very dry.

Thank you Diedre, someone else suggested this and I have just started doing that. 🤞🏼
Will report back any change I notice in case it’s of help to others.

Xx

[Ayesha]

I was trying to figure out why this pessary is so rock solid then realised that if we followed the instructions in the leaflet, which states two Vagifem a week after the initial dose of two weeks daily, then yes the pessary would need to be solid to take that amount of time to dissolve to be effective.
For a lot of us, in particular those not on systemic HRT,  two pessaries a week is totally useless and doesn’t touch the symptoms of GSM, so much so that another treatment is necessary to go alongside it and daily treatment of both is the only way to control the symptoms.
I’ve noticed that both Estriol and Vagifem are a very dry consistency, I am sure they could make it smoother, and a moisturiser is a necessity to use with both treatments.

Hope you find the regime that suits, TizzyWizz, you have options and will get there eventually.

[TizzyWizz]

You have been such an amazing well of support I cannot thank you enough Ayesha (but I’ll try! )

And gosh yes that might be it! Perhaps they should consider two preps one slow release and one daily.

I shall see how I go with mixing in the moisturiser.  It’s all a watch and see at the moment but thanks to joining MM forum I feel hope where once there was  only despair!

Xx

[Dramy3]

Hi

I had the same issue with Vagifem. But read somewhere to dip the blue applicator tip into a bit of Yes or Sylk and then insert. That worked for me. Good luck!

[Dierdre]

I use vagifem daily so sometimes a bit of the pessary from the day before will attach to the applicator when i insert a new pessary. It's like a gluey substance. I try to insert alternate sides so this don't happen as much. I assume it's just residue from the fillers left in there and the actual estradiol has absorb.
There has been times though when I've had a pessary drop out as hard and dry as when it went in, i was very dry. Thankfully not had that for a long time now.

[fiftyplus]

I have had a pessary occasionally fall out the next again morning when I go to the loo and that is also one of the reasons I prefer the cream - as at least I know once I put it up it stays there ...

[Nas]

Ah this happens to me too!
Mind you, I’ve been using that many creams up there, I’m surprised there’s any room for more!

But yes, I’ve noticed some of the previous pessary, does attach itself to the applicator. I’m also going to try dipping the end of the applicator in YES and see what happens.

[TizzyWizz]

I use vagifem daily so sometimes a bit of the pessary from the day before will attach to the applicator when i insert a new pessary. It's like a gluey substance. I try to insert alternate sides so this don't happen as much. I assume it's just residue from the fillers left in there and the actual estradiol has absorb.
There has been times though when I've had a pessary drop out as hard and dry as when it went in, i was very dry. Thankfully not had that for a long time now.

Hi Deirdre,
Yes mine is variable - sometimes it looks like some gluey residue sometimes I think there is softened tablet still left, but it’s hard to tell. I like the idea of trying to insert different places!
Glad to hear you are no longer so dry it just falls out!

[TizzyWizz]

Dramy3 - I have just started doing that 🤞🏼
Nas - I hope it does the trick - and gosh yes I know the feeling of having such much going up there! 

Fiftyplus- thanks for sharing!


Thanks ladies for all the replies and I hope I haven’t missed anyone in my responses!

Xx

[shrosphirelass]

I have often had vagifem fall out. Following advice on here I always coat the applicator with Yes VM. This does help, still occasionally have an issue but not often. I use the vagifem 3/4 times a week and also use estriol cream a couple of times a week to keep the outside moist and insert a little too.

[TizzyWizz]

I have often had vagifem fall out. Following advice on here I always coat the applicator with Yes VM. This does help, still occasionally have an issue but not often. I use the vagifem 3/4 times a week and also use estriol cream a couple of times a week to keep the outside moist and insert a little too.

Thanks for sharing Shropshirelass!
Incorporating the moisturiser with the vagifem does seem to be the solution for a few people!

Oestriol cream irritates me so for now I’m pushing through with pessary and moisturiser.