Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: northwest1965 on September 08, 2014, 06:38:09 AM
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I used my 1st vagifem yesterday.
I am a woman who is nearly 50, no children. No periods for at least 8 years.
Just wondered if there is anyone else on here, that is starting to use it.
Is there anything that I should really look out for?
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You sometimes get some tummy cramps, bloating and even a bit of spotting to start with but this settles down. The first 2-3 weeks of everyday load up is very important.
I'm sure there will be other ladies who can offer advice and support. DG x
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You sometimes get some tummy cramps, bloating and even a bit of spotting to start with but this settles down. The first 2-3 weeks of everyday load up is very important.
After the initial load up, if I get bloating, will that go?
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It's that initial boost of oestrogen that occasionally causes a bit of bloating. I personally didn't get bloating but I did get some cramps and spotting. It all settles down. DG x
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There are a lot of horror stories out there, sometimes it is better to not research :)
I guess I am worried about weight gain and hair loss.
The start of vagifem has also coincided with a bit of a health kick. Not a diet, but just a watch on sugar and all the carbs I eat.
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northwest1965 - I think it's good to keep an eye on the unnecessary carbs, especially sugar - better for the teeth as well. Smaller portions as well is a good idea. Regular small amounts of food is often recommended to keep the blood sugar levels even and this can help with controlling meno symptoms and prevent mood swings.
Sadly the menopause brings all kinds of changes - one of the worst is the spread around the hips and waist!!! Since coming off HRT, though I've reduced my sugar and portion size, I still seem to have gained around my hips and tummy - I have actually lost around 5 pounds over the last 6 months but I wish I knew where on my body I've lost that weight. This is not bloating. I had 3 HRT free years in my early 50s and the fat seemed to sit around my upper hips - I did notice my waistline came back when I went back on HRT!!!!
Vagifem is such a tiny amount of oestrogen it rarely causes problems. My only problem with Vagifem was that it made me burn rather a lot - I think the fillers were an irritant for me as my VA was more about a burning urethra and bladder issues. Most women are fine with Vagifem. I am using the Estring as it is a slightly higher dose released slowly over 3 months and I think I've needed this.
I'm sure you will find the Vagifem is great. Dg x
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I use Vagifem, I did get some bloating at the start but after 3 weeks it all went away. Good luck as it really does help.
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You are starting to put my mind at rest girls, thank you :)
I am incredibly lucky, I have very few hot flushes, when they do happen, they are very mild. No periods for 8+ years and no mood swings at all.
It is nice to hear success stories with Vagifem as when you do a search, only bad stories come up!
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Definitely don't need to worry about weight gain and hair loss due to Vagifem as Dancinggirl says!
Hurdity x
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I missed dancinggirl's post. I can agree to the 'little and often' meals. I do much better with 5 or 6 small nutritious meals a day with low wheat and sugar and plenty of water. when I do not eat this way I get a recurrence of worse symptoms. Thank you for reminding me of this dancing girl as I have recently been not eating so well and my symptoms have increased.
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Hello
I've been using Vagifem for around 3 months now & it's really helped with my feelings of heaviness (down there!!) and bladder weakness. I have had no problems with it. Hope it helps you & your symptoms get some relief.
xxxxxxx
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I have been using vagifem for about two months no problems so far :) xx
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PaulineW and rubyring
Have you noticed a real difference during sex? When did this happen? How long will I have to wait? ;D
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Hello again
My libido is at rock bottom at the moment so I can't answer that one but there's hope!!!! ;)
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Well I have been using Vagifem for 2weeks now.
No bloating, no cramps, no headaches. I am watching my hair though :) It was already starting to thin before this so I really hope I don't lose it as a side effect.
On the plus side, it has really improved already. I feel moist, husband has also noticed a change too. Using a lubricant as well.
Will it keep improving over time? and secondly, is it safe for me to take forever?
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I'm delighted to hear you are doing well with the Vagifem. You may have to use it for the rest of your life to help prevent further VA but this is fine. Your GP may "mutter" that you can only use it for 2 years but this is nonsense - ask for a referral to a gynae if need be to make them continue prescribing it.
Just a thought northwest1965 - if your periods stopped in your early 40s why weren't you put on HRT? It's not surprising you are having VA. I also think you should have a DEXA scan to check your bones density. The recommendation is that anyone who experiences a premature menopause as you have had should have HRT until at least 50 to protect the heart and bones. Do you have medical reasons why you couldn't have HRT? Do read up the info under the headings to the left of this screen to find out more. You could still have some low dose HRT to help reduce further long term damage if you wish - even 5 years of HRT through your 50s can bring long term benefits for the heart and bones provided you don't have a close relative with breast cancer or other medical conditions that would prevent the use of HRT. I hope you have a calcium rich diet, do lots of power walking and get plenty of sunshine to help support your bones as osteoporosis is truly nasty?
I'm surprised about your worry about your hair - oestrogen actually improves the hair - I've not heard about it causing hair loss!!!!!! If your hair is thinning then it could be partly due to the lack of oestrogen.
DG xxx
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Thanks for the info DG.
I was never offered any HRT or advised to have it. It's not like I haven't been to the doctors infrequently either.
The last doctor I saw was "awful". I could have cried when I left the surgery. I think I will make an appointment to see a female doctor and will ask to have a DEXA.
I have natural yoghurt every day and veg. I will make sure for now I up my intake of calcium rich foods.
Have been for a 2mile power walk today. I don't do them that often as I spend a lot of time vegetable gardening.
I googled Vagifem and hair loss, apparently it can be a side effect?
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I really don't think hair loss is a common side affect - you must remember that the information leaflet with Vagifem is more or less the same as you would get with full systemic HRT so side effects etc are really far less likely with Vagifem as so little is absorbed systemically. Don't worry - my hair was always thicker and healthier when I was on HRT.
Keep up the good diet - walking and gardening are great for maintaining the bones - do take Vitamin D in the winter though.
It is World Menopause Day in October and there has just been a post all about it under 'Events' on this Forum.
Here is the link http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25545.0.html
If you click on this link: http://www.imsociety.org/world_menopause_month.php - you can read the latest recommendations regarding the menopause.
It is not too late for you to start HRT (they call it MHT in this report) and hopefully gain all the preventative benefits it can offer. Using HRT is a personal choice and you may feel you don't want to go down this route - that is absolutely fine.
I personally think your GPs have been negligent in not, at least, offering you HRT - in fact they should have been actively recommending you take it. I had a premature meno in my mid 30s and my GP simply said to me "if I was her daughter she would insist I take HRT".
If I was you I'd go in with stuff printed off from this site and calmly ask them why you weren't appropriately treated for premature menopause?!! Ask them should you be concerned about heart decease, osteoporosis and colon cancer because you have been oestrogen deficient all this time? If they quote the 2002 trials and witter on about breast cancer risk - give them a copy of the report I have given you above which states that the findings in 2002 have been largely discredited.
Here is the link on this site that outlines the recommendations regarding the treatment of premature Menopause: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/pm-management.php. Do explain that this site has been set up by a gynaecologist, Dr Currie, who is part of the team setting up the new NICE guidelines to come out in 2015.
I am not saying you should go on HRT because that is your choice but I am angry on your behalf that your were not given the right advice and treatment - I feel your GPs need to know they have not been doing their job properly :bang:. So sorry to have a rant - you have had a raw deal. I so pleased you are feeling better around your lady parts.
DG xxxxx