Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: northwest1965 on January 03, 2018, 08:27:01 PM

Title: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 03, 2018, 08:27:01 PM
I have been using Vagifem for a while now. However it isn't really helping that much.

What are my options? Should I be discussing with the GP about using more often?

I am 52 and have the occasional flush. No other symptoms apart from lack of libido (but I think that is more to do with the pain involved)

Any help anyone? :)
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: CLKD on January 03, 2018, 09:04:01 PM
How long have you had the prescription?
How often do you apply - some ladies find that they require it every night plus Sylc or similar to keep outer lips softer
I use Oveston1mg - used initially every night for 2 weeks then 'as necessary' though it's recommended every 4th and 6th/7th. night.
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Joaniepat on January 03, 2018, 09:25:22 PM
You could try doing a nightly reload for 2 weeks, and then drop the dose to whatever suits. How many times a week do you normally use it? I use 5 a week, some people need to use it every night. You can also apply one of the estriol creams to the vulva, as well as using Vagifem, either Ovestin or the weaker generic estriol cream. Some people need the full works to get VA under control  >:(
JP x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Tinkerbell on January 03, 2018, 10:25:50 PM
How many do you use a week? I am a similar age to you and need to use it every night, I have also needed to go on systemic HRT as well to deal with the discomfort of the VA.
I would do a two week reload and up to 5 days a week.
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 04, 2018, 07:50:37 AM
I use it twice a week.  ::) That's probably why the VA causes so much discomfort. Originally prescribed, maybe 2 years ago.

I will do a reload nightly for 2 weeks and see from there. Thanks for the advice, I wasn't aware that I could use it more often.

I use coconut oil on husband and me as well.

Thanks for your advice ladies, I may, just may get my sex life back ;)
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Annie0710 on January 04, 2018, 08:36:23 AM
I was using vagifem 2/7 plus ovestin as and when needed. It became a chore so now I use vagifem each morning and it's doing the job.  I've started inserting towards the front halfway up as suggested by someone here and it's really helping x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Tinkerbell on January 04, 2018, 11:32:51 AM
5 x a week is equivalent to the old dose, Vagifem used to be a 2 x 25 mg dose and then the manufacturer reduced the dose to 10mg.
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: CLKD on January 04, 2018, 01:21:06 PM
 :thankyou:
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 04, 2018, 05:12:35 PM
I was using vagifem 2/7 plus ovestin as and when needed. It became a chore so now I use vagifem each morning and it's doing the job.  I've started inserting towards the front halfway up as suggested by someone here and it's really helping x

Ah...that may also help, I tend to put as far back as possible
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Annie0710 on January 04, 2018, 06:05:48 PM
I was using vagifem 2/7 plus ovestin as and when needed. It became a chore so now I use vagifem each morning and it's doing the job.  I've started inserting towards the front halfway up as suggested by someone here and it's really helping x

Ah...that may also help, I tend to put as far back as possible

Yes give it a go.  It really has done the trick externally xx
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 04, 2018, 07:06:03 PM
Just a thought, its the tablet form i am using and not the cream. Does that make a difference?
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Zara69 on January 04, 2018, 11:43:05 PM
I try and aim my vagifem half way and towards the front (bladder) as most of my pain is/was urethral.  I think it has really made a difference using it like this.
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Annie0710 on January 05, 2018, 12:16:53 AM
Just a thought, its the tablet form i am using and not the cream. Does that make a difference?

Vagifem tablet in the blue applicator? That's what I use x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 05, 2018, 08:29:17 AM
yes the little white pill in applicator
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Annie0710 on January 05, 2018, 10:47:06 AM
Yes as you insert push towards tummy and only half way up.  I'm sure it's helped lubrication as well as the external VA and still keeps UTIs at bay for me x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 05, 2018, 04:24:45 PM
Brill....will report back ;)
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: rita on January 08, 2018, 11:43:57 PM
Sorry I'm not sure how to start a new thread on here.?
Burning the midnight oil as too uncomfortable to sleep it's driving me cray I'm exhausted,!
Still on second lot of antibiotics but the burning at the front of virgina it so uncomfortable it's ruining my life, it seems worse at night too.
Urine samples came back ok the first had some blood. Have started using Estriol cream I had from a while back. ( it's still in date)
How long before it will work?
I'm desperate, sorry for ranting!
Can never get a docs appointment either.  :(
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Daisydot on January 08, 2018, 11:57:47 PM
Hi roseclimber apart from Using the estriol cream vaginally for first 14 nights also smear it all over outside areas and labia,that should help and get one of those gel eye masks that you chill in the fridge and put between your legs that will help soothe you when it's burning like that,make sure your drinking plenty water if you can with a bit of lemon juice in it to reduce the acidity in your body.good luck xx
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Brainless on January 09, 2018, 06:53:47 AM
Drinking a little bicarbonate of soda mixed into a glass of water can help make urine less acidic which might help
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Optimist on January 12, 2018, 06:04:15 PM
Hi all just a quick question, do you have to check with gp if upping vagifem dose or can you just use it more? I was wondering if it would help if o took it every 2-3 nights (have been inserting half way and to front also following a post on here-defo helps urinary urgency!!). Really feel for you who are suffering with burning it really can't be pleasant 💐 xx
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Annie0710 on January 12, 2018, 06:31:32 PM
I didn't ask.  A gynae had prescribed double dose (4 a week) and I was still suffering and found ovestin too messy so tried vagifem every morning and it sorted my VA symptoms .  Gp has never questioned my prescription requests being more frequent x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Tinkerbell on January 12, 2018, 07:18:06 PM
I upped my dose to every day without asking doctor, although gynaecologist had written to GP saying that even using every day was only equal to two HRT tablets a year.
I did hit a problem earlier this year when my named GP refused to prescribe anymore for three months.
I promptly made an appointment with another doctor, who said he was happy to prescribe it for every day use if that's what I needed.
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Joaniepat on January 12, 2018, 07:59:28 PM
Hi Optimist,

I told my GP that less than 5 a week didn't do much for me and he was fine with that; he knows the pessaries used to be 25 mcg, not 10 mcg as now, and commented that it is not an expensive drug so he is not bothered. He increased the number of boxes on my repeat prescription. Was told at the menopause clinic yesterday to use it daily, and that I can even shove in two if I feel it's necessary.

JP x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: northwest1965 on January 13, 2018, 07:48:10 AM
Hi Optimist,

I told my GP that less than 5 a week didn't do much for me and he was fine with that; he knows the pessaries used to be 25 mcg, not 10 mcg as now, and commented that it is not an expensive drug so he is not bothered. He increased the number of boxes on my repeat prescription. Was told at the menopause clinic yesterday to use it daily, and that I can even shove in two if I feel it's necessary.

JP x

How many do you get on prescription at a time?  :)
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Optimist on January 13, 2018, 08:37:44 AM
Great thanks ladies x
Title: Re: Vagifem not really doing the trick
Post by: Joaniepat on January 13, 2018, 08:57:14 AM
northwest1965, I get 3 boxes of Vagifem on repeat prescription.
JP x