Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Dbrookf on June 06, 2019, 10:20:04 AM
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I stopped taking Vagifem for three months to see if my symptoms had gone away but unfortunately not and want to return to using it – do I have to do the initial every night dosage for the first two weeks?
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Unfortunately VA doesn't work like that, it can't be cured only managed for life.
The worst thing you can do is stop & start as can be harder to get back on top of it, we don't water our house plants & then stop same with our vaginas. 😊
So yes start the 2 week reload again & use whatever you need a week to remain comfortable, if more than twice a week so be it.
Many ladies in my vaginal atrophy support group use it, as much as needed.
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Is it safe more than twice a week?!
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Also as I'm suffering a little, until the Vagifem kicks in can anyone recommend anything to take/apply in the meantime please?
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It can be used more than twice a week, i use it every other night, some need it 5/7 days a week the dose is incredibly low.
If you search my name you will see a video I did the other day with Dr Renee & we discuss all of this and more.
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Thank you very much for your very useful comments !
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Totally safe to use every day, i do and don't stop and start it.
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I am using it every day/at least 5-6 times a week. I am wondering though whether its effectiveness reduces after a while. It hasn't seemed to work quite as well recently (past month or so). My visits to the loo during the night had almost stopped/definitely improved but now I am waking up again. I began to wonder whether i might have a UTI yesterday though i don't think I do. Perhaps it is that I do need HRT as well? i am trialling Evorel Conti at the moment but haven't felt any benefits yet (half way through the 3 months).
A question to those who have used it for a year or more. Has the effectiveness fluctuated at all?
I have experimented with fully inserting it and doing it halfway but don't really notice much difference.
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GPs know nought!!! both medications for vaginal atrophy are safe to use nightly if required. Do a reload for 2/3 weeks and if necessary, I take Nurofen to ease those need to wee feelings; 3 times a day for 2 days. It's about managing the atrophy: which is due to lack of oestrogen which may cause the body to become dry: inside and out.
I don't use any other type of HRT.
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I think if anything, Vagifem has an accumulative effect. So you ideally should be improving the longer you use it. But if VA is caused by diminishing oestrogen, then maybe you need oestrogen, or more of it, systemically? A stronger dose of HRT.
Yes I definitely felt an accumulation benefit up until very recently but this seems to have lapsed a bit. Will have to wait until menopause clinic appt. in July.
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I've just been prescribed an increase in vagifem, I'm now taking 2 per day, so yes it's safe. Im doing one high up and one low down in the vagina, plus rubbing Ovestin on labia. Now going to start taking utrogestan vaginally too. My whole lady garden is gonna be rattling! ;D
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I've just been prescribed an increase in vagifem, I'm now taking 2 per day, so yes it's safe. Im doing one high up and one low down in the vagina, plus rubbing Ovestin on labia. Now going to start taking utrogestan vaginally too. My whole lady garden is gonna be rattling! ;D
2 per day every day? Once or twice I have done 1 in the evening and another the following morning but not as a regular thing. I have also started applying Estriol cream externally due to a persistent itching which has got worse in the past few months.
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Katejo, have you had the itching investigated?
I had an examination of the area when I saw the urogynaecologist last November. She was then shocked that GP hadn't looked at it. I mentioned the increased itching when I saw her again in April but she didn't ask to examine it again. Just recommended a barrier cream. I have another menopause clinic appt in early July. I will ask about it there.
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Dbrookf, yes if you stop things will get worse. I stopped for 3 months while post menopause bleeding was investigated and it has taken months for me to get back to any normality.
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Katejo yes, two a day! I thought it was a bit much but apparently ok. I also have one very very itchy patch on one outer labia. One gynae queried lichen sclerosus but then another said they didn't think so. Now awaiting a referral for more investigation. The vagifem and ovestin def reduces the itching.
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Use LIVE yoghurt to ease the itching. Soothing if nothing else ;)
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Katejo yes, two a day! I thought it was a bit much but apparently ok. I also have one very very itchy patch on one outer labia. One gynae queried lichen sclerosus but then another said they didn't think so. Now awaiting a referral for more investigation. The vagifem and ovestin def reduces the itching.
The internal Vagifem helps with the labia itching? Mine is also outer labia. I am using Estriol at the .moment which does help a bit. I will try inserting 2 (high and low) to see if it makes a difference.
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CLKD, it isn't at all practical to walk around with live yoghurt on your fanny.
Katejo, just get checked for LS in case you haven't. My mum has LS, and was misdiagnosed for ages and it got much worse and she's had to have surgery.
Don't want to alarm you but LS is notoriously overlooked. I'm sure you know this! 🙂
I have just managed to get a GP appointment later this month (although the receptionist tried to fob me off with a phone call again). Problem is that I don't have much faith in GP's correctly recognising such things! I do have another meno clinic appt. in early July and a follow up uro-gynaecology one in September. I have just looked back at the previous letter from the uro-gynaecologist and it only mentioned the VA.
I really dislike phone call appointments with doctors. Partly the timing because it is so easy to miss the call if you are busy at work but also because you are not face to face with the doctor. Last time I didn't even recognise her voice so wasn't sure who had rung me.
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One doesn't walk around though Birdy - one has a warm bath, a gentle pat dry, lays on a warm towel and applies ;). I'ts never been messy for me ......... cool, soothing - what's not to like: or I apply KY Jelly liberally to moisten those dry areas.
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Our Surgery and my Gynae use KY Jelly ;)
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What are your symptoms apart from bladder pressure? Xx