Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Scottishgirl on February 19, 2018, 05:35:56 AM
-
I would like to know how everyone feels about vagifem. I've been prescribed them for vaginal atrophy, which gives me horrible bladder symptoms. I've had a hysterectomy, 2004, and further prolapse surgery in 2015. I think my bladder has prolapsed again. I find the vagifem very helpful. What's the opinion of the safety aspects of vagifem? It's scary when you read it can cause cancers, but my doctor said it was safe . I must admit it works for me. I would love to have anyone's input on this. Hope this is the correct place for new topics. I'm a bit confused about the forums.
-
Scottishgirl, your doctor is right, Vagifem is perfectly safe. It contains a very low dose of estradiol which is not absorbed systemically. The Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with the product is the same as the one provided with systemic oestrogen replacement, which is daft, but that is how they do it at the moment. Glad to hear it is working for you.
JP x
-
Thanks so much for your reply. That is so good to know .
-
Hi and welcome to MM Scottishgirl
I believe that all women should be given Vagitem once they reach menopause and it should be used for the rest of our lives. It would help to prevent all kinds of problems. The risks are very, very, very small but the benefits are great.
If you have had a hysterectomy, then some systemic oestrogen might also help - a bit of Oestrogel daily could be very beneficial and also very safe. I believe it is actually beneficial for women who have had a hysterectomy to have some systemic oestrogen, as research has shown a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. It's the combined HRT with progesterone (for women who still have a uterus) that carries a small increased risk of BC, if still using HRT beyond the age of 60.
Oestrogen protects the heart and bones, reduces urogenital atrophy and can protect from bowel cancer!!!! There are risks with any treatment but doctors rarely tell women about the benefits of HRT!!!!
If I were you, I wouldn't let them take your Vagifem away from you - keep using it for the rest of your life. DG x
-
I think that is so true. I was in so much pain and discomfort. Terrible bladder problems, uti's and also uti's symptoms but no bacteria. One wise doctor took one look and said yep vaginal atrophy. I had never even been told about this and I am 62! The vagifem definately makes a difference. Thanks so much for the advice. The pamphlet is scary, as is the online info, it almost says you will get cancer! And i really don't think I could do without it .
-
Sounds like typical VA to me. Have you read the various threads here?
I had breast cancer in the 1990s - the lump was found to be suspect. However, Quality of Life is important 4 me so HRT would have been pushed, had I required treatment. As it was, my GP recognised that my repeated urine infection-type symptoms were VA and prescribed accordingly!
Job done ;-)
-
Scottishgirl - I actually feel very cross that the leaflets, that come with Vagifem and other vanilla oestrogen treatments, are the same as for full systemic HRT. All these leaflets need to state not just the risks but the benefits as well and the risks need to be put in proportion - not overstated.
Antidepressants are dishes out so readily but doctors rarely point out the risks and side effects - why oh why are doctors, and the press, so obsessed with warning women off something that can give them their life back????? If HRT was a treatment for men, would there still be so much negative press????? DG x
-
I never read the leaflets ::) - my GP or Pharmacist explain quite clearly .......... if not I go back to the Surgery until I understand.
-
Thanks to everyone for the great advice regarding the vagifem. I feel more confident now. Love this forum .
-
Let us know how you get on :foryou:
-
I went from Vagifem onto Evorel Conti patches. The patches didn't suit me. Back to Vagifem pessaries twice weekly...all fine.
-
Hi Scottishgirl. I too am on Vagifem after repeated UTI's and have been given back a life. Hope if works as well for you too.
-
I've been on other forums that say you don't need vagifem but can use natural products for vaginal atrophy. I can only say these ladies have not had the horrible debilitating symptoms of this thing. It was making my life a misery. Natural products do not work for me. I need the real thing.
-
There are anti oestrogen lobbies everywhere. All those lucky women who cope well without oestrogen should keep quiet and stop being so self righteous. DG x
-
I don't think that the self righteous have atrophy! 4 me it was like razor blades up there :o. Appropriate treatment solved the problems.
-
My VA requires , vagifem every other night , HRT , including Testosterone and I have also had laser treatment.
If left to just natural products , I probably wouldn't be here , no exaggeration.
-
Razor blades for me too CLKD. No more. Three times a week seems to be doing the trick
-
I have a friend ,a similar age to me, who is very anti HRT and believes you can deal with it by just using natural remedies. I get seriously annoyed with her, but don't show it, as I have been one of those with awful VA from the start and need full HRT and Vagifem every day to be able to live a normal life. I really don't think burgen bread and berry capsules would sort it!
-
Tinkerbell - I had a friend who, when I told her I had stopped systemic HRT, immediately said "thank goodness you've come off that awful stuffâ€. She apparently had another friend who had a bad experience with HRT (I suspect through bad advice) so she just jumped to the conclusion that all HRT was dangerous!!!
I'm afraid I believe that the women who do well on ‘alternative' remedies, are actually not suffering badly from meno symptoms in the first place. I have tried almost everything there is to try and spent a fortune with no true success.
Now 62, and very post meno, I just take a few supplements and RED CLOVER - plus, of course, the Vagifem and vaginal moisturisers. The Red Clover is more an attempt to boost things for my heart and bones as I don't think it helps my flushes that much - there is some evidence that an increase in isoflavines in the diet, can help health generally after meno - can't do any harm. DG x
-
I just find that someone without a you-know-what must have invented the vagifem applicator.
So, you are really sore and inflamed down there...things seem smaller than before...here, shove this hard piece of plastic up there and push a thing in by clicking it like a biro.
Sorry. I had overcome my problems with vagifem, but think I am having a bit of VA or urethritis or something and I hate using it.
Wondering whether to try topical oestrogen, but not had chance to go to the GP.
-
There is ovestin cream but you have to use an applicator with that too.
-
Another lover of Vagifem here. I suffered UTIs and was almost living on antibiotics until my lovely female doctor prescribed Vagifem. I still have the odd attack of thrush but I can cope with that and just do a reload of the Vagifem. I am on my 2nd Marina coil and use Estraderm patches and have no intention of giving them up, I am 65 this year and have just started jogging. :)
-
Fee...I am on a similar regime Vagifem, estrogel and a mirena and hope to continue long term.
Hope this doesn't come across rude, but are gp's happy to replace the mirena when you are over 60?
I am still a few years off that but it does worry that they will refuse at some point.
Well done on the jogging front, you are obviously far fitter than me.
-
Tinker bell, I had my second coil fitted by my very lovely and “switched on†female dr in the surgery (the nurse who accompanied me also was on her second coil and over 60). I think I might reassess the situation when it's due for renewal, early 2019, but now I have to go to hospital to have the procedure done, probably due to the practice cutbacks on time and lack of doctors in our area.
With all this exercise malarkey and showering, the itchy skin symptoms seems to have returned so I think a change of shower gel or soap is needed....just when you get on top of one thing something else appears ;D