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First-time:
My name is Linda and I am 71. I had a total hysterectomy a few years ago. Everything went well.
Presently now, I am experiencing alot of hotter than normal flashes, more headaches than usual, skin, nails and hair thinning problems and not to mention more fatigue. Today I had a doctor appointment so I go on ERT or HRT therapy but my doctor said that because I am over 61 years than I can't take this medication...like pill form. So he prescribed me Vagifem.  I searched for side effects and found that it may include headaches,weight gain, hair loss etc. The assistant at my doctor's office says that I don't need to worry because most of their patients are taking it and all is working wonderful.  She also says this product has many benefits even my doctor's wife is taking it. [size=78%]Now I feel uneasy about taking this medication because I do not want to gain weight, since I have recently lost over 30 pounds and still have to lose more weight. Also my hair started to thin out in the back but on one side and I have tried everything to get it to grow. I really don't want my hair to start falling out. I would just die. My life is stressed enough daily caring for my adult autistic son who now is experiencing alot of anxiety symptoms and OCD. So i would like to ask if anyone out there using Vagifem are having any side effects like weight gain and hair loss. Especially hair loss. If so were you able to have it grow back or what happened?? Like you had to buy wigs etc..share some details of your experience please. [/size] :'(

Joaniepat:
Hi Linda, welcome to the Forum!
The product you have been given is a local oestrogen used to treat the Genitourinary Symptoms of Menopause. It will not treat general menopause symptoms. Please ignore the leaflet in the box, as the side effects listed pertain to old fashioned, oral oestrogen preparations (eg Premarin) which are seldom prescribed nowadays. If you have genitourinary symptoms, Vagifem is safe to use and many on the Forum use it with success.
For "older" ladies, transdermal oestrogen in the form of gel, patch or spray is appropriate, although GPs are reluctant to initiate prescribing to women over 60. You may need to see a menopause specialist. Are you in the UK?
JP x

jaypo:
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I think they have to itemise every little side effect with drugs,even the rare ones.Vagifem is very low oestrogen and topical,so I'm not sure why it would cause you to lose your hair but if it's on the list of side effects then someone somewhere has said it was the cause.After that said,I'm not convinced it would help with the hotness you're experiencing or any of your other symptoms to be honest as it is for the one specific area. I'm not sure about the hrt side of things but hopefully someone else will come on and tell you if you CAN go on hrt in your 70s or not x

jaypo:
Sorry joaniepat,must've posted at the same time lol

CLKD:
Morning First-time - R U stateside?

Do read 'the bladder thread' and any here on vaginal atrophy.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out: skin, scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, vagina ...... get the picture?  Also muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  It may help to keep a mood/food/symptom diary too.

It would seem that medics world wide continue to be afraid of HRT 'after a certain age'.  1 is either too young, not having hot flushes or are too old  >:(.  Nope.  Wrong !!!

Let us know how you get on.   :welcomemm: browse round. Make notes.  Ask away.

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