Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Jennifer3318 on September 18, 2015, 04:03:51 PM
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Hello, just wondered if anyone could give me some advice on Vagifem. I started taking it 5 days ago for VA but have started to get stomach cramps. I know it says on the information sheet that it is quite a common side effect but just wondered if this is likely to stop. I don't want to have to stop it as I think it may be helping but today the cramps are definitely worse. Any ideas? Thanks. Jennifer
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Yep, quite normal - things should settle quite quickly. The hit of hormones is waking everything up down there so there are bound to be reactions. I got some spotting in the first couple of weeks as well. Keep going. If the cramps continue beyond the first 2 weeks, after which you reduce to 2-3 times per week, then a trip to the GP would be wise. DG x
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Thank you for replying. I will keep going and hopefully it will settle down soon. Xx
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Yes normal for me too. It took a couple of weeks to properly settle down so it's worth persevering.
Taz x
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Keep a diary to see how long it lasts, then let us know :-\ ???
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You should find it settles down after the initial two week loading time. During those 14 days you're taking a lot more in than you do afterwards...2/3 a week. I found it sometimes felt like I was ovulating, I got a slight "tugging" feeling.
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Likewise I got cramps and constant spotting but also every time I used it not just in the initial 14 days. Cleared as soon as I stopped using it. My symptoms only occur mid cycle (47 but still regular if elongated cycles) so decided it outweighed benefits. It does work and if things get worse I'll try again so definitely persevere if it's working.
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Thanks for all the replies. I felt so awful by Friday night that I missed that night and Saturday night too. Felt better by Sunday morning so I started again last night So far I feel fine but may just use it every other night for the next couple of weeks and see how it goes. Jennifer x
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Let us know. Every day's a learning curve ;)
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Hello again. I've been taking the vagifem every other day and no more stomach cramps. I'm not on any other HRT so will probably continue this for another couple of weeks.
Just one other question please. I was on provera for several years to control heavy and irregular bleeding. It really worked for me and I felt fine until the VA started. I was taking it every day and took a 5 day break. A locum GP I went to about the VA asked me why I was taking Provera 'at my age' and stopped it. Since then I have been plagued with discharge. I've taken antibiotics for it and had swabs taken but nothing found. Could I have continued to take the provera and does anyone think lack of progesterone could add to the discharge and general menopause symptoms? Sorry for such a long question but I seem to go from one thing to another right now. X
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Could the 'discharge' be the residue of the Vagifem. The idea is to do a 2 weeks loading, i.e. every night - then every 3/4 night or symptoms will return.
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Unfortunately not as I had it before starting the vagifem and it's really quite bad.
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Hi
I'm no expert so this is only guesswork and I don't know how old you are, or if you are peri or post but is it possible that since stopping the progesterone that your own natural oestrogen levels have bounced back ......
More oestrogen = more discharge
Pollie
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Jennifer3318 - what is this discharge like? Is it pink, blood or is it thin and watery or more like thrush? If so it could be bacterial vaginitis which we tend to be quite prone to when suffering from VA. Antibiotics could actually make this worse!! I use Multi Gyn Actigel everyday to help prevent this type of infection - there other things on the market you could try but the dryness because of VA dose encourage the wrong bacteria and thrush which will cause discharge.
Being on Provera all the time is not necessary if you are not getting bleeds any more but it's useful to know you felt OK on this type of progesterone as if you did need to take some oestrogen to control flushes etc. you could take Provera alongside to stop your womb lining building up.
Perhaps you need to have a referral to gynae to investigate further if this discharge is really troublesome. DG x
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Hi Jennifer
Just re read this thread and some of your other posts - you don't sound as though you have been well looked after by your GP I think you would really benefit from asking your Gp for a referral to a Gyne clinic and then you will get 'joined up' care. If you go in with a list of all your symptoms, tell your gp that they are all likely to be related to hormone imbalance and be firm you should get an appointment.
Also - you mention that you will continue with Vagifem 'for another couple of weeks'.
I may have misunderstood you but - Unless you move on to a systemic Hrt - it is highly likely that your symptoms will return when you stop . I think Vagifem is a long term solution, but others will have more experience of that.
HTH
Pollie
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Hi Jennifer
You haven't said how old you are but as others have said you definitely don't need the progestogen if you are no longer having bleeds (and if you are not taking systemic HRT) - but it is not actually an age thing - re your doctor's comment - unless you are really well over the age of menopause eg mid-late 50's. I presume you haven't had bleeds since stopping the provera?
Also you really do need to use Vagifem for the the 14 days loading period before reducing the dose - if the side effects settle on every other day I would then do a proper two week period of using it nightly and then reduce to the maintenance dose of twice weekly (or slightly more frequently if this is needed to keep symptoms at bay)
Hurdity x
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Hello. I'm actually 54 and have had a lot of heavy bleeding since stopping the provera. I've tried HRT but the bleeding was just too heavy and I couldn't allow for 2 or 3 days home every time so was relying on ovestin cream until now trying vagifem. I was referred to a gynae re the heavy bleeding and had a biopsy in July. Finally got the results in September and all ok. Should have had a follow up apt but still nothing. I have a history of B12 deficiency and have injections every 2 to 3 months, very low blood platelets, rheumatoild arthritis and sjrojen's. My RA medication is by injection as I have a problem with absorption. I just felt better when on the provera and could control the heavy bleeding and no discharge. This heavy discharge is a nightmare. Took another canesten pessary last night just in case it helps although swab was clear. Starting to despair now. X
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Jennifer - you only mentioned a discharge, not that you were still getting heavy bleeding!!?? If you have had a scan etc. and all was deemed fine, then your GP was wrong to take you off the Provera as you must still be peri menopausal if the bleeding is still an issue. I would go back and ask to go back on the Provera if it was working for you well. Perhaps call the hospital where you had the biopsy to ask for a follow up appointment because the bleeding is still an issue. DG x
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That puts a whole different slant onto your posts!
How long is it since you stopped the Provera and how often have you bled since then? Are the stomach cramps related to the bleeding? If you are still bleeding heavily then you are still having a cycle even though you are later than average. Was there no sign of a fibroid or polyp on your scan? If not then this must mean you are producing your own oestrogen and still having a cycle I would think? Could it be something to do with the blood platelets and clotting? Even so the fact that there is lining to shed must mean you are producing oestrogen even if there is a problem with the bleeds continuing. I agree with Dancinggirl you must go back and discuss this and see a specialist who will take into account all of your problems to identify the reason for the bleeding if not just a normal cycle.
I'm not sure why your reliance on Ovestin cream (and then Vagifem) - as per your previous post - related to the bleeding and staying at home in any way? This has nothing to do with the bleeding - if it is endometrial bleeding. If you have severe VA then there could be slight bleeding/spotting from the vagina but not proper period type bleeding?
I hope you find some answers soon.
Hurdity x
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Hello all. Sorry another question! I have tried to get a follow up gynae appointment but they take my details, promise to call back and nothing happens so given up and going to my GP on Tuesday. Just wondered if anyone thinks a patch would be better? I have an absorption problem so pills don't always work. Also I would like to take provera alongside an oestragen as I know that suits me. Can anyone recommend a patch that would work well with provera. I've done my 2 weeks of vagifem now and seems to be ok but think I could do with using something else, especially when I go on to the 2 x weekly vagifem. Any advice would be appreciated x
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Look under Treatments about on this site - there is a section on the various HRTS and under oestrogen you will see there are patches or alternatively Oestrogel that could be used alongside Provera. DG x