Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Kjconline on June 24, 2025, 11:51:08 AM
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Hello. I am a new member here. I am soon to be 57 and haven't had a period for over 3 years so well into my menopause journey. I have been avoiding hrt and hoped to ride out the systems on my own, which haven't been that bad except for the sweating and hot flushes, which I can handle. I have been noticing over the past year or so that sex has been becoming more and more uncomfortable so I had an appointment with my gp last week. He has prescribed me Vagirux pessaries and told me to use it every day for 2 weeks then twice a week thereafter. I started using it for the first time on Monday night, no issue. On Tuesday I noticed it was quite sore when I tried to insert the pessary but managed it, but by Wednesday it was too painful to manage to get it in very far. During the day on Wednesday I was feeling quite uncomfortable with a burning sensation like a uti. I left it a few days before trying again, so had another go last night, which was fine at the time, but feel the burning again now. Is this normal, and just my body getting used to it, or is this a reaction that will persist? Should I go back to the gp and see if there is an alternative? Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
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Morning. As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out, including the vagina.
Some find that putting KY Jelly or similar into the vagina first B4 inserting the pessary. Others find that 'vagifem' gives better results but it costs more ::). I use 'ovestin/estriol' inserted by plastic applicator which can be washed ........... it's a bit Trial and Error.
twice a week mayB not enough which ever product that u finds suits you despite what the medics try to insist upon!
Browse round: we have lots of threads about atrophy so putting vaginal atrophy into the search box will show U how many of us manage. Be prepared to sit with feet up and a cuppa as you browse ;-)
Let us know how you get on!
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There are a lot of posts here from women saying they suffer side effects of using Vagirux. Ask your GP for Vagifem and hopefully that will be better.
Include a moisturiser in your regime, Yes products are popular, also you might need the added help of a topical cream like Estriol to use on the outside, sometimes the pessary is not enough.
My regime is a daily dose of Vagifem, Estriol and a moisturiser, that's what it takes to control my GSM.
This document will be very helpful to you, its very educational:
https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf
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Thank you for the replies. I am pleased to report that I seem to be getting used to the pessaries now and not having any more burning sensations after application. I have also just started with YES moisturiser which feels wonderful so hopefully things will settle down now. Thank you both for your help and advice
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U R welcome. Let us know how you get on. Occasionally U may need to increase your regime if your hormones kick in and the body becomes dry: inside and out. Also some are affected by the heat or stress.