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[Chickbits]

Hi

I started on Vagifem 10mcg vaginal tablets in March after much debating whether or not it was a good idea. Once I got over the 'loading up' period and then got used to the maintenance dose of twice a week it seemed to have done the trick for the most part. However I asked for my repeat prescription a couple of weeks or so ago and the GP rang me to say she would give me the prescription but told me I should cut down to one a week and maybe then once every fortnight if possible. I have tried to do this but after the first six days all my symptoms started to return with a vengeance ie vaginal dryness, back pain and pressure over my pubic bone and the dreaded return of dashing for a wee, sleepless nights because of the burning pains. I didn't expect the symptoms to return so quickly so I was quite shocked. I don't understand why I've had to cut down as I thought that the dosage of 2x10mcg tabs was quite low. I've just got my life back on track and don't really want to revisit the bad old days. Anyone gone thru anything similar with their GP? I thought I'd garner some views before I go back to the surgery. Cheers Chickbits

[Dancinggirl]

Your GP is bonkers.  If you have VA you probably need to use local oestrogen for the rest of your life. Vagifem 2x weekly is a low dose the there is little or no systemic absorption. Go back and tell her you researched this on this very good site founded by a Gynae and if need be ask for a referral to a gynae for further advice.
Oh dear, these GPs make me mad.  I bet she is young - all I can say is, I hope she suffers with VA one day because I'm sure she won't put up with it.
I'm using Estring which is higher dose - it's taken months for things to improve and there is no way I will be without local oestrogen.  DG x

[Chickbits]

Hi DG

Yes, I thought it was rather strange to encourage me on to the Vagifem then suddenly say that the dosage was too high as there was no mention of this when the dosage was explained to me. Trouble is you doubt your own logic when your GP tells you something like that. She seemed to be suggesting that if I couldn't cope with cutting back to once a week I'd have to go on progesterone to balance out the oestrogen I was getting from my two a week habit - does this sound sensible? At the time I was thinking that the Vagifem dosage was so low that I didn't need to use anything else but hey, what do I know? My gut feeling was I should stay on the twice a week dose and shouldn't need the progesterone. I'm glad the Estring is working out for you - it must be a relief after suffering for months. It's encouraging to know that there's alternatives in case the Vagifem becomes less effective. By the way my GP is female and I would say she's in her late 40's. I was hoping she'd be more reassuring in view of her either approaching or in the middle of meno herself! I'll do as you suggest and ask for a referral to a Gynae if I'm not satisfied. thanks Chickbits x

[dahliagirl]

The leaflet says twice a week (every 3-4 days).

On The British Menopause society tweets: https://storify.com/SAGE_News/british-menopause-society-24th-annual-conference-2  some one says 1 year of vagifem is equivalent to 1.1mg of oestrogen orally.

[oldsheep]

The meno clinic at Kings in London told me every other day or every 3rd day is fine as I have problems. I am on progesterone though. A GP at my surgery - supposedly the one who "does HRT" - was concerned that vagifem was "risky" and meno clinic wrote her a note to reassure her.
I now go to see the one GP who is more sanguine about HRT to get my repeat prescriptions.
Hope you have someone else you can see?

[Dancinggirl]

Chickbits
Clearly your GP doesn't understand about the difference between HRT and local oestrogen.  Vagifem used to be 25mg but unfortunately they reduced it as they claim 10mg works just as well!!!!! Well, many ladies who have been using 25mg twice a week for years are finding they now have to use the 10mg 3 or more times a week to maintain their comfort levels. 25mg is still available in other countries and women have been on it for years with no build up of their uterus.
Estring is a low continuous dose which naturally gives greater relief. You shouldn't need opposing progesterone as little, if any, oestrogen is actually absorbed to build up the uterus lining. Your GP needs to do her homework. 
If she needs info she can always check out this site - there is a section for health professionals.  DG x

[Chickbits]

Hi and thanks for your replies which are reassuring to say the least. I was feeling really low after thinking that I would have to cope without the necessary dosage to alleviate the rotten symptoms that came back almost immediately. I guess I'll have to gird my loins (as long as it doesn't cause any further irritation) and tell my GP I need and must continue with the two Vagifem a week and refer her to this excellent website. I went in thinking that with a mainly female GP practice at my surgery they would be experts on HRT and all things connected to the menopause. It makes you wonder if they have been given 'guidelines' on safeguards and they err on the side of caution in this litigious age. Thanks again for your info cheers Chickbits x

[Chickbits]

PS - I meant to say oldsheep that there are 4 women GPs in our surgery. You see one and the others sign the prescriptions - maybe to cross check they aren't killing you? So you can get several doctors input on your prescribed drugs - probably adding to the confusion on the advice I'm getting. Maybe they're not singing from the same hymn sheet. I wish I could find a sympathetic clued up GP and stick with them thru all my treatment/prescriptions but they don't seem to approve of this approach. Cheers Chickbits

[Lynne888]

I use more than 2 a week some weeks.  My  symptoms started to come back after about 12 months on vagifem and my GP told me to do another 2 weeks of using every day and then either use two every 3 days or one every other day.  It does the trick. If I feel any symptoms coming back I just double up again for a few days and it calms down. I DO get thickened lining though:(  I have a bleed using Provera every 3 months and I always bleed a lot so it shown there is a build up where I am concerned. My life before using Vagifem was terrible so I would be devastated if I had to stop.  I was given the Estring to try about 12 months ago. My doctor would be happier if I used this, but  didn't get on with it.  It was fine for about 4 days and I was thinking it was better than having to remember to use Vagifem, but I started to get a stinging sensation which got increasingly worse so I had to take it out. 

[Chickbits]

Hi it's interesting hearing about the variations in dosage you've all been taking. I've been using the Vagifem twice a week and the symptoms I had have mostly subsided - still going to the loo a bit more than I was and the urgency is still there but nowhere near as bad. I think I will carry on twice a week and see if it kicks in. If not I will raise the problem with my GP. How does the estring work - is it something that you have inserted like the coil? Afraid I'm a bit ignorant on HRT I must read up and get clued up. Cheers CB

[Dancinggirl]

Estring is a latex ring that you put in yourself - it just slides in and sits around the uterus. It slowly releases oestrogen over 3months and then you change it.  I find it great because you just forget about it.  DG x

[CLKD]

I think once we find a regime that works for us we need to continue with it.  My bladder soon lets me know if I have forgotten to insert a pessary, I get the dragging symptoms and the need to pee more often. 

[Hilary66]

Hi there, I'm just found this site today and felt relieved that there are others out there with symptons like my own .I have been on vagifem 10 mg since May and haven't really noticed any great difference to be honest,I still have horrible hot flushes and intercourse is painful,I had a routine smear done today and had to insert vagifem as it was due and it stung like hell.I hope I will find some answers on this site as doctors don't seem to understand how draining it all is,I am also a ms patient diagnosed in 2012 and firmly believe the menopause brought my condition to a head, looking forward to reading all you posts.take care h66

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and Welcome Hilary66
It can take months before local oestrogen starts to improve the whole vaginal area.
If you are getting bad flushes have you been offered systemic HRT?  Vagifem won't help flushes and night sweats but some women find that they need both systemic and local oestrogen to help with vaginal atrophy? 
10mg Vagifem twice a week is often not high enough to help with VA - it used to be 25mg but it was deemed by the powers that be unnecessary to use that high a dose so all those women who were doing well on 25mg are having to use the 10mg doses several times week to keep comfortable.
There are number of ladies who have MS who post on this site and hopefully they'll be along soon with advice and help. I'd start your own thread so they can respond. I think some have found that HRT has helped their MS?!!
Keep posting   DG x

[Lynne888]

Hi Hilary66. I use vagifem for constant urination. It worked within a week for me.  I don't think my bladder will ever be completely  *normal* I also have Interstitial cystitis and for ages before seeing my GP, I thought I was having a bad flare of that.. it was my GP who connected it all to the menopause. The difference using Vagifem for me has been life changing. I couldn't even leave the house as I was on the loo at the very worst about every 5 minutes and at best about every 20.  I think when we start using Vagifem we are unsure about it and need advice, I certainly had to come here to look for help. Once you have been using it for a while you get  to know when you need an extra boost and how to calm everything down. Dancinggirl is right. 2 x 10 a week doesn't seem enough if you still have issues. Keep us posted.