Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: babyjane on November 25, 2014, 09:55:37 AM
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I have used Vagifem for 4 years now and have never had much trouble with it. The last couple of months it has not been so easy to insert. It doesn't just slide in now but seems to meet some resistance about half way up. Also it doesn't go in as far as it did, but if I wriggle it around it will eventually get there. Wondering what this could be all about?
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Not sure although it could maybe be a slight prolapse.
I did read that the majority of women have this to some extent or other.
I suspect I do and its something I need checked.
Perhaps ask at your next smear test.
Hopefully someone else will be able to help more.
Honeyb
x
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Baby Jane sometimes that happens to me sometimes it glides in sometimes it jerks in
Feels like its resisting But its in it helps to lye back on the bed legs akimbo put applicator at the opening
With my fingers make sure its in the right place when I do that it goes in OK
DO NOT EVER put anything on the applicator xxxxxxxxxxx
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I don't have smear tests honeybun as I don't have a womb. but I will certainly mention it next time I see my lady GP. I just wondered if anyone else finds this happens.
Suzi Q thank you for your post, I never put anything on the applicator. thank you for the lying down idea I have always inserted in the bathroom standing up.
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Yep used to happen to me - it was a prolapse. Lots of women have them where either the bladder has fallen into the front wall of the vagina causing a bulge, the bowel has fallen into the back wall of the vagina causing a bulge or the womb has fallen into the vagina... causing a bulge. Do you try to put it in standing up? If so you may find that by lying down the problem disappears as the prolapsed vaginal wall falls back into place.
Taz x
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Sounds like a possible prolapse to me as well. Do you have any other discomfort in that area? You could do pelvic floor exercises to see if you could tone up the muscles a bit?
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Yes exactly that babyjane - me too! In fact I started a thread too when it first happened to me (ages ago). I used Orthogynest pessaries for years (still got a few left :) ) but Vagifem when I am using Utrogestan vaginally. Because the Utrogestan is at night I do the Vagifem in the morning so insert it standing up in the bathroom. I have to get the angle just right or it just hits something half-way in. Sometimes I wiggle it around and can't find anywhere where it will go in but always does eventually (if I don't panic!). I assumed from what people told me on here it was probably a slight prolapse but nothing to worry about (not sure when these become a problem?). I should remember to go and lie down on the bed to do it!!!
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity and everyone :
Prolapses become a problem when they become uncomfortable eg a constant feeling of a dropping/dragging feeling and/or the sensation of a tampon slipping out. In the bad cases, they protrude and are tangible. Sometimes they can be accompanied by a low backache, especially if you have a rectocele.
They may become a problem in sex and present as an obstacle to your partner. Can be very offputting to him.
Sometimes you feel as if you are sitting on an egg at the front - or like sitting on a sausage at the back - and whichever kind of prolapse you may have, the organ concerned gets harder to control with associated symptoms of leaking when you sneeze if you have a cystocele - and it being hard to keep clean if it is a rectocele.
This is my personal acccount of the main symptoms of mine when the prolapses became a problem. Pelvic floor exercises do help, as does avoiding too much heavy lifting.
Hope this helps.
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YUKOOOO SCRIV
I thought everyone inserted stuff lying down?
I even put tampons in that way?
So would that mean if I stood up I could see if I have a prolapse PLUCK I hope not ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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No Suzy, fear not!
It is only when a prolapse gets extreme that you feel as if you had a tampon in there which is slipping out.
And it is only when it gets very extreme that the prolapse is tangible from the outside - and by that time you are experiencing real discomfort.
Sorry if I didn't describe it properly and confused and worried you!!!
xx
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well I am reassured that this seems to be a normal-ish thing. I won't go racing off to the doctor's (not that I race anywhere these days) but I will mention it when I see her next and she can check it out. I think my pelvic floor muscles aren't too bad as I can stop my wee in mid flow.
Thanks all for your comments :)
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Inserting tampons lying down SuziQ? I think I've read that wrong ;D I've never inserted them or any of it (Vagifem) lying down except the utrogestan and orthogynest pessaries as I do these in bed!
Hurdity x
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I always insert laying down! Never could put tampons in because my vagina is too short ::) ……… if 1 stands up surely gravity pulls the pessaries downwards?
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Me neither, Hurdity
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That came out wrong when in them thar far off days over 22 years ago now when I had the CURSE
I never used Tampons cos theyd fall out. Id insert one OH and never used one till after Id had a child
In it would go and with in half an hour it would be at opening saying hELOOOO
But when I did use them and it was only if I was going out at night or swimming I lye on the bed and do it
With Ortho Ovestin and now Vagifem I just lye back n the bed as if Im having a smear and insert it easy!
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Yep - same here!
BabyJane - a cervical smear is for that, nothing to do with the womb :-\ …… so your GP/Practice Nurse should still be calling you for smear tests!
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I have had a posterior prolapse repaired and perineum rebuild and tampons stay in now. ;) I am not supposed to have any other prolapses, according to the urogynae, but I have the same problem sometimes with the vagifem - need to get the angle right. It also depends on how you are standing, and sometimes I am in a hurry/lack concentration and don't think about this. Also, it is so narrow, it gets caught in folds (or somewhere or other - sure it was my cervix being a bit low last time!) I have to wiggle tampons sometimes.
The vagifem is supposed to help keep the muscles etc healthy and prevent further prolapse, along with being active and doing The Exercises, which was why I was prescribed it in the first place. So worth using.
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BabyJane - a cervical smear is for that, nothing to do with the womb :-\ …… so your GP/Practice Nurse should still be calling you for smear tests!
But I haven't got a cervix :-\
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ah - you didn't say that you said your womb had been removed ;)
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I thought the two automatically went together. Why would they leave a cervix behind? ???
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Why not? The less intervention ?
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well I'm glad that it wasn't left there to risk getting cancer. I don't miss the smear tests and I have not missed my womb from that day to this.
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The cervix is often left behind nowadays babyjane as it has an important part to play in our sexual function - both in sensation (for both partners) and lubrication. http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/information/the-emotional-impact-of-hysterectomy/the-unkindest-cut-of-all-removal-of-the-cervix/
Taz x
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Mine went too, babyjane when I had my repair op 10 years ago. The consultant said the uterus was on its way down anyway. Haven't missed it at all!
And I don't have to have smears and am allowed to stay on Vagifem forever according to the doctor. I am thankful for this as I have severe dryness and atrophy.
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Your extra dryness could be partly due to the missing cervix scriv but I too feel some relief that one cancer worry has been removed even though my cervix was in "tiptop shape - shame to have to take it out really.." according to the surgeon ;D
Taz x
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thank you for explaining that Taz2. my hysterectomy was nearly 20 years ago now. I expect they know more now but at least it is not a cancer risk. they left my ovaries but they don't function and one has disappeared apparently ???
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Hmm, maybe, but I am not sure that it is as clear cut with me. I had a very early menopause at 39. I am now 61. I was on HRT for the critical years but the gynae's view was that oestrogen was not reaching the uro genital area and I was very very low on oestrogen there. That is why Vagifem has worked wonders with me.
There was no issue about whether my uterus - and cervix - had to come out as this was my second major repair op and the uterus was making its sure and steady way down and out by itself. The pelvic floor had to be tightened and strengthened big time!
However, as you say, I am also so pleased there is one less cancer risk.
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That's why I had to have mine removed too scriv. I would have liked to retain it but there was no way - it was determined to become an external organ!!
Taz x :)
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Yes, so was mine!!! ;) Adventurous!!!
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:rofl:
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I like that!!!!
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Mine has been a little retiring, but I suspect it is becoming less shy as it gets older. Bit like me really! :o
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::) ………..
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Hi, i have just found this thread, and funny i have noticed the same when i insert vagifem, it doesnt seem to go as far as it used to. not found any difference in its effect though.. apparently it doesnt matter how far it is up, as its effect can reach all the necessary areas.. ..
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I was prescribed vagifem months ago, but hadn't got myself to insert it in. Sounds daft, particularly for a women who has had 2 (very large babies). I had great difficulty inserting tampons as a teenager and they caused great discomfort, so I just used sanitary towels. I think the trauma of all that has been in the back of my mind, but inserting this was easy peesy, so what was that about! Thanks for this thread as it has motivated me to get on with it.
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YAYYYY JU JU SEEEEEE
I feel the same about the reload Im always scared overdose or OH I dont know@@@
Touch wood its eased off now and made mad pash whoppy sat OK it hurt on entry like tight then OK
Next night put the Vagifem in and the difference it slid in with room either side to spare its true use it or loose it
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Tension has a strange effect 'down there' ;)