Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Patsie on November 16, 2019, 04:17:25 PM
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Hello Ladies,
I have been on Vagifem for 10 months now on twice a week. At the beginning when I was really red and sore on exterior nothing I used eg Yes, Estriol etc all made it worse. After a lot of perseverance on Vagifem I am now at the stage where it is still uncomfortable but not excruciatingly sore on exterior area. I used the estriol last night on exterior and today it feels slightly more uncomfortable but I am wondering whether this is because the exterior is still very dry as this area is not reached by the Vagifem. Is it worth me persevering with the estriol nightly to see if the skin gets any better and less sore? If so any idea of when I should feel less uncomfortable and more “meâ€!
Any advice is much appreciated.
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Yep. Use every night. How about 'savlon' or 'vaseline' in the outer areas, regularly, the trick is to keep the area supple so that it doesn't dry and itch. How often are you inserting 'vagifem' ? Some ladies require nightly application.
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Thanks CLKD. I am using the Vagifem twice a week but it is not internal but external that is still causing problems. It just feels dry all the time but what I am worried about is if I use the estriol nightly will this aggravate the area more as I do not want to go back to the really bad days when it was very red and raw.
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I would use the 'vagifem' for the next 5 nights. I use some vaseline/Savlon on the outer area ......... several times a day to keep the area moist which avoids the dryness. Which avoids itching.
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I use Vagifem daily and still have bad days tho they are getting less severe. Like CLKD mentioned keep the exterior moist. I use estrone cream on the outside as Vagifem really is more vaginal vs vulva. Most women who have VA is actually VVA (vulvavaginal atrophy). I would continue with the estroil. If concerned that it is causing issues try a patch test on wrist. Obviously if you have a reaction then see if GP will find a suitable alternate. Not easy to treat this VVA.
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:thankyou:
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Thank you. I will carry on using the estriol every night and let you know how it goes. :)
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I would up the Vagifem to be honest, you may find more frequent use helps outside bits too.
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Hi pAtsie, the cream irritated me terribly and I never got used to it. I increased my Vagifem to every other day which has helped hugely, but I still get a small amount of irritation externally. Actigel helps me a lot, and if I ever need to I will move to daily Vagifem.
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Wow as you can see from my earlier post I'm using Vagifem and having problems, but from reading posts from Whatupwiththis and CLKD, I do believe I have VVA, I had this all year and Ovestin didn't work now trying Vagifem. Time to another Doctor :(
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Hi I used zinc and castor oil ointment for babies, I used Boots own brand, on my outer bits on advice of go. Found it soothing.
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Is zinc and caster oil still in a green tin? Granma swore by that; Dettol; Cuticura ointment. They had little else.
It's about finding something that eases the sensitive skin in the whole outer vaginal area. And sticking with it!
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The Boots brand I buy is for babies and is just in a plastic tub.
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Hi,
I've been using estriol on external area now for last couple of weeks and all seems to be improving but not sure whether I am getting thrush!!
Quick question can I use a canesten pessary while still using vagifem - obviously not at the same time?
Or could it all be down to using the estriol that I have more secretions (many apologies if the is tmi)
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No reason that I know of why you shouldn't use a Canesten pessary one night, then carry on as usual with Vagifem. Using estriol might be improving the tissues and hence increased secretions. What are your symptoms?
JP x
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Again sorry if this is tmi but getting a lot of discharge and feeling uncomfortable but like the start of thrush though not sure it is
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I think the discharge MIGHT be the Vagifem doing it's job. I also have discharge and according to my GP, it is a sign that the vagina is getting moist and that is good. More ladies on this site have far more experience on VVA then I do so hopefully can provide other advice.
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Hello ladies
Birdy - very interesting comments regarding vaginal moisturisers. I have been using Replens with good results but in light of your post I think I'll try Yes or Sylk instead. Thanks for the heads up.
Take care.
K.
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My doctor suggested I wash in dermol 500 but have not done so yet only been bathing in water as do not want to go backwards. Has anybody used this?
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Hi
I've now stopped using the estriol as it did nothing still getting only what I can describe as someone sticking needles in my vulva and there is one particular spot which is always sore. Have tried Sylk and this eases it off but only for a short while and then the throbbing and pain comes back. I decided to stop everything and it all started to feel better for one day then the pain can back. I do not understand with all the vagifem estriol and moisturisers I have used nothing seems to help. Every day is sore and it is getting me down.
Does anyone have any advice as this all started last year after not drinking enough one day and started with a water infection
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Thanks Birdy will keep persevering with the estriol and Sylk
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Went thru the same thing. My lady bits felt like I was sitting on a cactus. Birdy is right. My GP insisted I use Vagifem daily. After MANY months, vulva got better and better. From what I was told, you are waking up tissues and nerves that have been estrogen depleted. It takes a very long time with Vagifem but stick with local estrogen of some sort and eventually things will start to improve. Good luck.
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It can be a while B4 the vagina becomes moist enough for those symptoms to be relieved.
Dryness = itchyness - think of after swimming or a bath, if one leaves a wet patch on the skin, does it not itch?
For me it was like razor blades up there :o and the tender spot which has been present for years is still bothersome at times. Add to that the need to pee often, like a urine infection-type feeling. GP recognised symptoms and 'ovestin' serves me well [along with KY Jelly ;)].
If symptoms continue Patsie, up the amount you are using. 'vagifem' was initially delivered at 25 and is now 10 - some bright spark >:( decided that ladies didn't need such a high dose. Some need two inserts occasionally, some require nightly use to keep symptoms at bay. It really is a personal experiment to find what works for each of us.
Give the treatment on a regular basis at least 6 months to allow the vagina to absorb the small amount of hormone.
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Yes Patsie, it takes months to improve and you need to keep on top of it. It can really get you down . All the best x
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Thanks everyone for your posts it makes me feel better that I am not alone feeling the way I am xx
Merry Xmas to you all :)
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This post makes me feel better too, it's a long journey to virginal happiness.
Merry Christmas everyone ;)
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Usually someone around on here ;-)
If there is a discharge then it's usually the application working 8)
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Hi,
I have now been using the Vagifem every three days and on the same day using estriol on the exterior area. I have found that on the day after it gets very uncomfortable as the day goes on. Has anybody else found this could it be the fillers?
I am slowly getting an hour or so where I feel great and there is no soreness but go the loo and wham it's back again. It's been a year now and hope that this year will see a better improvement
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How long did you use the 'vagifem' for initially, overnight?
Some find that this needs to continue as less than nightly is not enough. I would suggest a re-load or ask your GP for 'ovestin': same idea, delivered into the vagina slightly differently.
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Hi CLKD,
At the beginning it was the 14 day load and then I went to every three days. Find the soreness is more external than internal so have been using the estriol . It's just the soreness seems worse by the end of the following day after I have used it. There are some days that get me down as I feel it will not improve. On the days I don't use cream and pessary I use Sylk.
Not sure whether to go back to GP but getting an appt is horrendous. The waiting time is 6 weeks if not urgent >:(
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Hi patsie. Like you I also get a bit stingy the next day but one thing you mentioned might be your answer. Sounds like your urine is causing the soreness. I find after urinating, the stinging starts up but after an hour or so, the pain starts to dissipate. What seems to help is washing with COOL water right after going to the loo. Good luck and hope this might help.
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So make the appt which you can cancel nearer the time? Make a record of symptoms?
Do you mean that you are using the Vagifem for 3 days continually, maybe try spreading it to every 3rd and then every 4/5th nights? Or every night if that helps. Yes and Sylc products can help the outer lip regions too.
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Birdie if it was the fillers in Vagifem would it still cause issues after a year? I seem to finally (xing fingers) have adjusted to vagifem after 6 mos. of daily use but like Patsie, still have external issues. Strange this VA....
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CLKD - I use the vagifem and cream every 3rd night
Whatsupwiththis - not sure how I cud clean with cool water when at work irs a bit difficult in the ladies! Will certainly try at home
I am getting a bit exasperated that after a year the area is still sore. It's definitely affected me as I don't seem to be able to relax as I worry when I go out say to dinner with friends that I can't enjoy myself as it's all I think about is the soreness
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You need to use it more often for 3 weeks. To see if it makes symptoms easier. If not, maybe consider 'ovestin'.
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Patsie it might be that you need to up Vagifem. I started off at every 3rd night but was going thru hell with external discomfort. My GP insisted I use it daily and eureka...finally relief. I also use estrogen cream externally. It's such a difficult road to navigate...if we were male, there would be a definitive solution. Sad...
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I used ovestin every day for a month and then alternate nights now. It can be a depressingly long process. When it's bad it's all that you can think of.
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I found vagifem ramped up my symptoms and resulted in awful external burning. I was swapped to estriol and everything settled down, so for me vagifem didn't suit, which is a shame as it is really convenient.
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Could have been the fillers?