Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Flossiemac on November 21, 2017, 05:11:15 PM

Title: Vagifem
Post by: Flossiemac on November 21, 2017, 05:11:15 PM
Hi ladies

I've been using Vagifem for about 9 months. I use it 3 times a week and have done the two weeks initial routine twice (all with doctors consent) but it doesn't really seem to be having much effect. Haven't been able to have sex for months as it's extremely painful. Should I continue or go back to doctor ?
Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: NinaH on November 21, 2017, 07:17:21 PM
Hi I have been okayed to use 2 every other day. It has really made a difference. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: CLKD on November 21, 2017, 07:19:29 PM
You could go to the GP but I would suggest doing a 2-week reload making sure that the product goes up as far as possible, then every other night to see if that helps.  There are other products to use on the outer lips, i.e. Sylc or Yes I think ....... if you do search for either/both you'll find out if I am up the right tree ;-).

Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Tinkerbell on November 21, 2017, 07:21:22 PM
Up your dose, five a week is equivalent to the dose it used to be.
I use it everyday, enables me to live a normal life in all areas ;)
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Dancinggirl on November 21, 2017, 10:29:14 PM
Flossiemac - are you using vaginal moisturisers daily? Most of us like either SYLK or the YES products.
It's also essentual to use extra lubrucatiin for sex as well - makes things far better for both you are your partner. I find Perfect Glide by Durex fab.
DG x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 21, 2017, 10:31:28 PM
I'm an everyday vagifem user, ovestin is to hand should any flare occur externally and I use Sylk for Sex, not always but often x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Flossiemac on November 22, 2017, 07:16:02 AM
Hi All
Many thanks for the replies and advice, I'll speak to the doctor to see if I can up dose.
Not used any moisturisers so will definitely give that a go
X
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Wrensong on November 22, 2017, 10:34:28 AM
Hope you get approval to increase the dose, but it might also help to vary how far you insert the Vagifem.  Being persistently sore just inside, I was advised to try inserting one high, one low, as the effect can be very localised.
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 22, 2017, 12:31:33 PM
That's a good idea Wrensong, I've often wondered if that would help.  I might give that a go , one day up, next day down x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Wrensong on November 22, 2017, 02:03:54 PM
Hope it works for you Annie.  My dose was increased from 1 tab x 3 nights a week to 2 tabs x 3 nights a week, one up one down (about an inch in), but chose instead to do 1 a night for 6 nights, alternating sites, as I seem to sleep a bit better on Vagifem nights!  So you could try whatever is most convenient for you.  Have just been authorised to stay on 5-6 a week long term, so breathing a sigh of relief that this may finally get things back to some version of normal!
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 22, 2017, 03:01:47 PM
THAnks Wrensong, I do 7 a week, keeps everything tickety-boo down there lol x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Wrensong on November 22, 2017, 03:57:55 PM
Ooh -7 a week - lucky you!   Has taken me 5 months to get my surgery to increase the amount I can order from one box every 3 months to one a month, so I could follow Menopause Clinic's advice given mid-summer!  Think there's still caution/resistance over the idea that the original 50mcg/week dose (& sometimes more) is really necessary for some women, even on systemic HRT.  Feels as though we are in dire need of a national, detailed, compulsory GP training programme on menopause, to bring everyone up to date with current thinking & guidelines.

Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Kkay on November 22, 2017, 04:55:05 PM
THAnks Wrensong, I do 7 a week, keeps everything tickety-boo down there lol x

Annie,

I'm sure you've said this somewhere else, but I can't remember. How many puffs of Estrogel are you on ?

Thanks  :)

KKay

Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 22, 2017, 05:35:45 PM
I do 2.5 pumps each morning kkay x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 22, 2017, 05:37:13 PM
Wrensong, a gynae prescribed 2 pessaries twice a week but I decided (lol) I wanted to try daily, I just keep putting a repeat in and they dispense ! X
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Wrensong on November 22, 2017, 07:11:11 PM
Oh Annie - you wicked woman!  Now I know who to blame when the pharmacist tells me there's a national shortage!  ;D
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 22, 2017, 07:46:05 PM
They must agree though because they question everything I order! They've increased my amitriptyline for my back to 2x10mg because I order 2 months at a time, but I only take 1x10mg a night x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Kkay on November 24, 2017, 05:07:23 AM
I do 2.5 pumps each morning kkay x

Thank you Annie !

I was trying that for a while but found it hard to measure the half  pump - how do you do that? Any advice?

Kkay
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on November 24, 2017, 05:40:55 AM
I Just pump out a little bit on the half pump, never the exact amount each time

Bizarrely I've just been woken up with a night sweat! Not sure what that was all about lol x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Kkay on November 24, 2017, 01:11:04 PM
Thanks Annie....I feel 2 pumps aren't enough...will try your method.  :)
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: CLKD on January 26, 2018, 08:43:50 PM
Bounce
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on January 26, 2018, 09:47:00 PM
Bump even ?! Lol
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Daisydot on January 26, 2018, 10:02:42 PM
Id settle for a bounce or a bump ladies 😂 x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Annie0710 on January 27, 2018, 08:07:57 AM
Lol x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: CLKD on January 27, 2018, 12:10:28 PM
Oh Daisydot - where to begin looking  ::)


I get two tubes usually on repeat.  I'm getting lazy with application and began to suffer yesterday  >:( Note to Self!
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Daisydot on January 27, 2018, 04:56:57 PM
Hi CLKD I got a big box with 5 strips of blue applicators each one in foil wrap with a little tablet already in it,what do you mean tubes if I can ask.x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Hurdity on January 27, 2018, 05:24:28 PM
Daisydot - CLKD is referring to tubes of estriol cream which are inserted using a washable plastic applicator! Vagifem is what you have been given  and is a different oestrogen - estradiol.

There have been two conversations within a few posts - the "pumps" ("puffs"?  :-\ ) are referring to estrogel but most of this thread is about local oestrogen ie vagifem and estriol cream! Confused?!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: Daisydot on January 27, 2018, 05:33:48 PM
Ahh got you now Hurdity many thanks that's what I had before the vagifem and I took your previous advice and kept it with consultants agreement so I can smear outside areas and it's working a treat.sorry CLKD I didn't catch on.many thanks ladies xx
Title: Re: Vagifem
Post by: CLKD on January 28, 2018, 12:22:42 PM
I wasn't clear enough - because I know what I use even though I can't remember the name.  Same idea, different way of application.