Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 75 out now. (Spring issue, March 2024)

media

Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: First time on Vagifem - questions  (Read 2382 times)

Hillbilly

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 94
First time on Vagifem - questions
« on: May 20, 2020, 01:48:53 PM »

Hi all.

I just spoke to my normal GP and told her my symptoms; dryness, itching, stinging and recent uti...and she is giving me vagifem pessaries for 2 weeks to start with. I've had a quick search but want to confirm a couple of questions please?

Is it right that you should wait for at least 6-8 hours after inserting before having sex?

Can you use it while having a bleed?

Don't take it at the same time as Utro?

Does it need to be taken at the same time every day?

Is there any residue that needs 'cleaned' before sex?  :o

Thank you  :)

Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1691
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2020, 05:21:37 PM »

You can use Vagifem at anytime of the day, so you can work around that, have never heard about the 6-8 hour wait though.
I used it in the peri stage when i was still getting periods. I use Vagifem every day, it is a tiny pessary and don't get alot of residue, i hardly notice it, it is a bit more like normal discharge you get in your younger days.
I have a Mirena so dont use Utro, but i probably wouldn't use it at same time if you are using Utro vaginally.
Logged

Hillbilly

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 94
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2020, 05:37:27 PM »

Thanks Tinkerbell  :)
Logged

KaraShannon

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 843
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2020, 06:03:08 PM »

I too am wondering, are we supposed to use it during a period?  Or wait till it's over.  Seems a bit weird using it during, but maybe that's just me  ???
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1691
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2020, 06:46:48 PM »

Why is it weird? I guess it depends on how heavy/long your period lasts, i still used it during but i have struggled with getting VA under control so wouldn't have wanted to have gone a week without it.
Logged

KaraShannon

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 843
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2020, 07:09:50 PM »

I think it's just the thought with me, but if it's meant to be done then I'll do it, like you say Tinkerbell you don't really want to leave it.  :)
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 74342
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2020, 10:52:23 PM »

If the vagina is lubricated with menstrual blood, it shouldn't require oestrogen replacement during the period.  At the end of each bleed I would itch, intensely, high up for a couple of days.  Then I would have brown blood for 24 hours ........ In your situations I would start vagifem or ovestin until the next bleed.

I wait until DH makes a move and if he doesn't, I insert the 'ovestin'  ;)
« Last Edit: May 21, 2020, 08:51:40 AM by CLKD »
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1691
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2020, 12:31:52 AM »

Menstrual blood is going to add estrogen to the vaginal tissues though. I would still use it during a period on the more spotty days.
Logged

Hillbilly

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 94
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2020, 06:53:51 AM »

This is helpful, thanks everyone  :)
Logged

Hurdity

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13845
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2020, 08:06:23 AM »

Menstrual blood is going to add estrogen to the vaginal tissues though. I would still use it during a period on the more spotty days.

I think you meant to say "isn't" in response to CLKD's comment about lubrication, which is not the point of Vagifem. It was late when you posted!!! I totally agree. Of course you should continue to use vaginal oestrogen as you need to keep the tissues oestrogenised.

My solution at this time is to use estriol cream on the end of the tampons while bleeding, especially as tampons tend to dry out the tissues anyway, so the cream helps with lubrication and the oestrogen keeps the tissues in the right state. If you don't have it already then you will need to ask for it to be prescribed, which I do for this purpose. Make sure you ask for the generic estriol cream not the Ovestin ( which is 10 x stronger) because you will be using it quite liberally if using it every time you change tampons.

Hurdity x
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1691
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2020, 10:44:55 AM »

Oops! yes i meant to say "isn't"   and i am burning the midnight oil at the moment so was a late posting!
Logged

Hillbilly

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 94
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2020, 01:15:19 PM »

Another question,

If I stop taking HRT entirely do I have to stop the vagifem or can I continue that with nothing else?

It's been 10 days or so since I took the Utro and my mood is bad again, I'm not sure I can carry on.
Logged

Joaniepat

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1757
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2020, 02:00:58 PM »

Another question,

If I stop taking HRT entirely do I have to stop the vagifem or can I continue that with nothing else?

It's been 10 days or so since I took the Utro and my mood is bad again, I'm not sure I can carry on.
No, you don't have to stop Vagifem. There's no reason why you should, and there are many women only using local oestrogen. It is extremely low dose.

JP x
Logged

Hillbilly

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 94
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2020, 03:50:28 PM »

Oh Joanie thank you!  I think I'll come off the HRT  :)
Logged

Joaniepat

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1757
Re: First time on Vagifem - questions
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2020, 05:09:37 PM »

Oh Joanie thank you!  I think I'll come off the HRT  :)
That's a shame, but hope you get on OK. Hopefully you can at least keep the VA under control.
JP x
Logged
Pages: [1] 2