Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Northerngirl on February 20, 2025, 01:14:10 PM
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Hi ladies , probably a silly question but does it matter what time of day you use Vagifem?
Finally decided to give it a try :)
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I use at bedtime after the last wee
It gives it time to properly attach itself
I’ve never had it fall out after a few hours
Nice thing about it is that there’s no mess so no pads needed I used to hate having to pad up with creams and Intrarosa pessaries
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I would say with Vagifem it doesn't matter what time of day you use it, it's a very hard pessary and very slow release.
Best to keep to the same time frame once you decide when to insert the pessary each day, I insert mine in the mornings.
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I'm the opposite to Ayesha in that I use mine at night. I found using it during the day led to a white powdery residue in my undies.
Just goes to show we're all different. Insert it at whatever time of day is most convenient for you. :)
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Thank you Sundaygirl, Ayesha and Kathie22....much appreciated :)
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I use mine all times of the day and night. I’m on twice a week though so it’s just when I remember but doesn’t seem to make a difference and they never fall out.
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I use it at bed time now, after I popped one in before going to work and didn’t realise it had fallen out when I went to the loo at work and didn’t get flushed away and someone used the loo after me and shouted out that there is a little white tablet in the loo.
I did admit it was mine and what it was for😳
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I use mine all times of the day and night. I’m on twice a week though so it’s just when I remember but doesn’t seem to make a difference and they never fall out.
Thank you Blot
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I use it at bed time now, after I popped one in before going to work and didn’t realise it had fallen out when I went to the loo at work and didn’t get flushed away and someone used the loo after me and shouted out that there is a little white tablet in the loo.
I did admit it was mine and what it was for😳
Thank you Cleocat, I'll stick to late evening I think.....especially after what happened to you 🤦♀️
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I have always inserted at night after my bath, laying down, reading. It has all night to be absorbed. Let us know how you get on?
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I have always inserted at night after my bath, laying down, reading. It has all night to be absorbed. Let us know how you get on?
Thanks CLKD, I used it first time last night. Just don't think this is ever going to help externally and they just told me to keep using the Yes Products etc. One step at a time I suppose 😊
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I didn't find that Vagifem alone was having any effect on the outside and requested Estriol cream, one tube will last me three months or more as only a tiny amount is required, both treatments work very well together with the added help of Yes moisturiser. But give it time and see how it goes.
Just to say that I am not on systemic HRT, the reason perhaps why I need more topical treatment.
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I find that KY Jelly or estriol smeared round the dry, itchy outer labial area helps. Regular use of estriol inserted with the applicator every 3/4th night keeps my symptoms under control. Otherwise peri/menopause thus far has been reasonably uncomplicated.
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I didn't find that Vagifem alone was having any effect on the outside and requested Estriol cream, one tube will last me three months or more as only a tiny amount is required, both treatments work very well together with the added help of Yes moisturiser. But give it time and see how it goes.
Just to say that I am not on systemic HRT, the reason perhaps why I need more topical treatment.
Thanks Ayesha, I am no longer.on systemic HRT either. I'll see how things go with vagifem and then maybe ask for a cream, I was thinking Blissel gel as it's a lower dose I think. Thank you again for your advice over the last few days
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I find that KY Jelly or estriol smeared round the dry, itchy outer labial area helps. Regular use of estriol inserted with the applicator every 3/4th night keeps my symptoms under control. Otherwise peri/menopause thus far has been reasonably uncomplicated.
Thank you CLKD I will keep that in mind and see how things go. I wish my menopause journey had been uncomplicated, it's been a nightmare. I've gone from being the one who never even had a period pain to the one who has every symptom going...I just wish I could get things under control.
I have the horrendous menopause along side complications from previous surgery for a tube ovarian abscess and adhesions and now that has caused hydrosalpinx (which I'd never heard of) so I feel like I don't want to mess about too much up there, if that makes sense . Thank you again
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hydrosalpinx - I had to look that up!
Vagifem is unlikely to cause any problems 'higher up' as it's inserted very locally. Once U feel VA symptoms are improving U can use less each week, although some require nightly insertion. A bit Trial and Error!
Will U need surgery for the hydrosalpinx?
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hydrosalpinx - I had to look that up!
Vagifem is unlikely to cause any problems 'higher up' as it's inserted very locally. Once U feel VA symptoms are improving U can use less each week, although some require nightly insertion. A bit Trial and Error!
Will U need surgery for the hydrosalpinx?
I only know what it is because they explained it. This was actually found 14 months ago when I had the ultrasound/tvs and they said they'd monitor it but they never have 🤦♀️ keyhole surgery was mentioned at the time but I really don't want to be having more abdominal surgery so as long as it isn't causing too much pain I just get on with life. Thank you CLKD
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Just to mention Ayesha, I realise you say a tiny amount of Estriol is all you need, but when I saw my GP recently, she told me to make sure to fill the applicator as you would if you were using it internally and then put that amount onto the external area. I'd only ever used a small amount externally and it never occurred to me to use that much on the outside. I've been doing that few a few weeks now and it's made a huge difference. Mine is prescribed twice a day, too.
Thought I'd pop that info in, incase it helps someone.
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The amount you need is dependant on what stage you're at I suppose.
I look on it like looking after my houseplants. If you let them really dry out it takes a lot of water to plump up the soil again, but if you then water regularly, you don't need as much at a time.
My Estriol prescription just reads "to be applied to the area" ;D
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Just to mention Ayesha, I realise you say a tiny amount of Estriol is all you need, but when I saw my GP recently, she told me to make sure to fill the applicator as you would if you were using it internally and then put that amount onto the external area. I'd only ever used a small amount externally and it never occurred to me to use that much on the outside. I've been doing that few a few weeks now and it's made a huge difference. Mine is prescribed twice a day, too.
Thought I'd pop that info in, incase it helps someone.
Well I do keep saying we are all different with this condition and having to treat it accordingly, I have only ever needed half a pea sized amount twice daily.
When I experimented recently leaving out the Estriol after four years of use I thought perhaps the Vagifem would be enough but it soon became apparent that Estriol is also needed even with such a small amount.
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Absolutely Ayesha, we all are and there is no one size fits all, that's so apparent reading on this site! It just didn't occur to me (but I am a bit dim 😆) to put that much on. It's logical but has made a big difference to me. Hope you don't think I was questioning what you said, my comment was just in case anyone else was as dim as me - unlikely, I know :)
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Not at all, my first thoughts where wow, that's a lot but what a great GP you have who understands what it takes to control symptoms.
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I've got so that I experiment with meds until I find something that works, then go and explain 2 the GP ;)
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Slightly different issue
I have vagifem which comes in a skinny blue applicator I have the worst issue in trying to get it out and now transfer it to another applicator from another med I find it impossible to eject it smoothly it takes two hands and a lot of force Don’t know if I’ve just got a dodgy batch of applicator’s Please don’t suggest not using the applicator I have a real issue with poking about since surgery last year
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Have you always had it in those applicators kathie22? My current box of estradiol is in those and mine are easy. They aren't as easy, I will admit, as the applicators that come with the blister packs of the pessaries, but not as hard as yours sounds.
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I thought that vagifem is a pessary inserted by the finger like a tampon :-\ ?
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Hi MrsMitch Only been using for a short while so only had one prescription so far It’s a pre-filled applicator in a sealed pack
CLKD only had this sort as I’ve said to MrsMitch
Maybe next prescription will be different?
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Kathie have you thought about taking the applicator apart - pulling the plunger out from the bottom (remove the pessaries first) and then shove the plunger in and out a few times to loosen it? Then maybe if you can get one loose enough for easier application, sterilise that one after each use and transfer each pessary to that one each night. Faffy, I know, but if you get the blister packs, you have to re-use the applicator inside and they do get very loose.
I must admit, I did think last night, using mine, that the blue ones are a bit harder.
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Is the tablet already loaded into the blue tube thingy ?
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I've only ever used Vagifem and the brand name Gina. They both come in a box of 24 pessaries and all individually packed into plastic applicators.
I've never had a problem with inserting the applicators apart from being clumsy when first using them but no problems since.
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At the moment l shoot it into the applicator I had for Intrarosa Did try to wiggle it to see if it loosened but stayed stiff
It’s pre loaded
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Maybe it is a duff batch 🤷♀️
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Kathie22 I find vagifem quite stiff too and sometimes have to press hard to release the vagifem
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I find the preloaded Vagifem applicators more 'clicky' than the reusable ones. I have to use both hands. One to hold the applicator and the other to push the button.
Anyone else think the blue single use applicators are rougher than the white reusable ones?
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Hi SundayGirl
Totally agree Need to be a contortionist to get it out.. or is it in 🤣
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;D ;D
I've got the insertion down to a fine art now but I am so glad that no-one can see me ;D
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Curtains shut, lights off then :whist:
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If it fell out, you aren't inserting it high enough, you need to push up as high as it will go, sometimes it feels like you gone as far as you can but the cevix can be in the way so just sort of manouvere it and it will go the side or behind the cervix then, it apparently then sticks to the wall of the area and slowly dissolves. I have been on it for a few years and started by just pushing in until it stopped, ie I was only place it below the cervix, it came out when I was going loo too, Dr explained just what I have posted here, up to the top or risk it coming down
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However, when VA symptoms are bad it's difficult to push high enough, which is why I prefer estriol ;-)