Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Loopsie on May 24, 2019, 11:05:58 AM

Title: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Loopsie on May 24, 2019, 11:05:58 AM
Hi,

I have posted a couple of times about Vagifem and still trying to find out more answers.  I have been back to GP who has now referred me to a gynae but the wait for an appointment is annoying as every time I try to book there are no appointments available!

I have been taking Vagifem for 12 weeks and want to know how long it was before anyone using it really noticed a difference.  I have stopped using moisturisers as these irritated.  I am now using sudocrem as I found putting a barrier stopped the real stinging exterior pain.  I did try Yes OB last night but did not notice a difference.  My GP did not have any further suggestions on the exterior pain so I wondered if the Vagifem does eventually help the exterior? 
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Blot on May 24, 2019, 02:46:53 PM
I think it was about 8 weeks before I noticed a difference. But my gp said it might take 3 or 4 months.

Have you been to a GUM clinic? It was suggested to me by someone on here because they are very knowledgeable on this type of thing and usually have more of an idea than gp's. It's a good idea to go and get checked in case there is some skin issue that is causing the pain.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: suzysunday on May 24, 2019, 03:50:51 PM
Ovestin cream may help.  It's a local hrt like vagifem only a cream. 
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Tinkerbell on May 24, 2019, 04:08:28 PM
I guess you did the two week load, how many a week are you using now?
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Loopsie on May 24, 2019, 05:01:35 PM
Hi Tinkerbell,

Yes I did the 2 week load and am now on the tablet twice a week.  I did try the Yes VM a couple of weeks ago but found on first application it felt like stinging so I stopped using it but I wondered whether this was just down to being very dry. 
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Tinkerbell on May 24, 2019, 05:36:46 PM
I have never managed on just two a week even in the peri stage, my gp will prescribe 5 x a week as that is equivalent to old dose and she said hardly anyone managed on just two.
I found the moisturisers stingy, I don't use them as using Vagifem more frequently has meant I don't need them.
I would up your dose and see how you get on.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: CLKD on May 24, 2019, 05:44:12 PM
Using it every night may be the way to go, it's such a small dose these days, it was 25 originally then some Bright Spark  :bang: :bang: :bang:  [not] decided that ladies 'could manage' with 10.  There are many across the World, who if they got hold of this BS, would do serious damage  ;)

I find a pain relief tablet helps too!
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: suzysunday on May 24, 2019, 06:02:24 PM
You could try Boots vaginal moisturizer on days you don't use vagifem.  I found it better than yes vm, less stinging.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Dierdre on May 24, 2019, 07:12:27 PM
You need to use at least every other day and also try Ovestin outside to manage this, I have to use everyday and still struggle sometimes. YES WB is also helpful for me but you need to try what suits you and it can take a while to find what's best for you.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Katejo on May 28, 2019, 02:13:28 PM
Hi,

I have posted a couple of times about Vagifem and still trying to find out more answers.  I have been back to GP who has now referred me to a gynae but the wait for an appointment is annoying as every time I try to book there are no appointments available!

I have been taking Vagifem for 12 weeks and want to know how long it was before anyone using it really noticed a difference.  I have stopped using moisturisers as these irritated.  I am now using sudocrem as I found putting a barrier stopped the real stinging exterior pain.  I did try Yes OB last night but did not notice a difference.  My GP did not have any further suggestions on the exterior pain so I wondered if the Vagifem does eventually help the exterior?
Vagifem hasn't helped the exterior at all for me. I have been using it for 8 months. Things gradually improved but the effectiveness seems to have dropped a bit lately. I haven't had any more UTI's but the soreness inside/dull ache on the left has crept back recently. I am still sleeping better with fewer trips to the loo in the night. I might try sudocrem for the external itching. It is just a small patch but flares up when I pee.  I was going to buy some yesterday at Boots but couldn't remember the name.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: CLKD on May 28, 2019, 02:27:54 PM
Oh Dear - thwarted then Katejo?  I find KY Jelly useful when necessary.

How's things Loopsie?
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Katejo on May 28, 2019, 02:43:42 PM
Oh Dear - thwarted then Katejo?  I find KY Jelly useful when necessary.

How's things Loopsie?

Is KYjelly available OTC? I browsed the relevant section of Boots yesterday but didn't see this at all.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: CLKD on May 28, 2019, 02:50:38 PM
It's in the contraception area I think ;-)
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Foxylady on May 28, 2019, 07:42:49 PM
Hi ladies, for dryness & itching try Dermol 500 or equivalent as suggested by Consultant gynaecologist at menopause/well woman group I was at tonight. She asked if we all moisturised down below & if not we should!!
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Katejo on May 28, 2019, 09:03:00 PM
Hi ladies, for dryness & itching try Dermol 500 or equivalent as suggested by Consultant gynaecologist at menopause/well woman group I was at tonight. She asked if we all moisturised down below & if not we should!!
Can that be bought in a pharmacy OTC?
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Foxylady on May 29, 2019, 04:59:16 PM
Yes as far as I am aware. I get it on prescription as I have had alot of skin issues & had tried various hypoallergenic shower products & various deoderants. Dermol 500 & simple roll on have worked for me!! Not quite the same as Molton Brown though ;D
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Charlie62 on June 08, 2019, 03:51:05 PM
Hi, I have just started vagifem. Used the first one this morning and have terrible stomach cramps like period pain, especially on my right side. Is this common to start with or maybe I inserted the applicator too high? I have posted on here before regarding hair loss & it seems it is also a side effect of vagifem, have any of you ladies experienced this?
Sorry to hijack post x
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: CLKD on June 08, 2019, 03:58:35 PM
Maybe put the product name into the search box and see Charlie? someone else may have experiences?
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Katejo on June 08, 2019, 05:20:51 PM
Hi, I have just started vagifem. Used the first one this morning and have terrible stomach cramps like period pain, especially on my right side. Is this common to start with or maybe I inserted the applicator too high? I have posted on here before regarding hair loss & it seems it is also a side effect of vagifem, have any of you ladies experienced this?
Sorry to hijack post x
I haven't had anything like that. I doubt it is to do with inserting it high up. Sometimes I do it high and sometimes halfway.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Dierdre on June 08, 2019, 07:03:42 PM
I had period like cramps when I first started using vagifem, dont worry it does settle after a while.  I also got breast pain and felt a little  nauseus the first few weeks until the vaginal walls became less dry and then only very minimal oestrogen goes systemic.
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Loopsie on June 10, 2019, 01:53:43 PM
Hi,

I am now using estriol cream for external area with a Vagifem pessary every 2 days.  Is this cream effective on this area for the redness and soreness?
Title: Re: Vagifem - how long before effective?
Post by: Dierdre on June 10, 2019, 05:06:02 PM
I started using the cream outside about 18 months ago after using vaifem only for 3 years and it made a huge difference. Vagifem works well for the inside but dont seem to reach the outside for me but Ovestin does. Make sure you really rub it in, dont just smear on.