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[Lazydaze]

I have been using vagifem since about May last year. Looking back, i can see a number of symptoms which I didn't relate to it.  My fingers have swollen so much I can't wear my rings, my bras are all painfully tight, I am suffering from headaches and digestive issues, and I have gained weight. My breasts also hurt.  I didn't connect these things to vagifem, but the light is going on in my head! If I stop taking it, I am back to the constant dryness, burning feeling and threat of UTIs.  I was having constant UTIs before I took vagifem.  I was also not warned by the doctor there were ANY side effects, she assured me it would not cross into my blood.  I am hyper sensitive to hormones and antibiotics in general, and the pill when taken for a short time in my youth caused terrible problems.

Has anyone experienced similar side effects and did they stop taking vagifem?  I hate using it but the alternative is misery.  What on earth did women do before these things were invented?  They can't have spent their lives having urine infections or in pain?

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Lazydaze

 

I too am very sensitive to hormone change and do experience side effects from the Vagifem. To be honest they are very slight; weight gain, front of breast awareness, however, for me the benefits far outweigh the negatives. My flushes have decreased, my slight urinary leakage is resolved and internally I'm lubricated and comfortable again.

I will definitely continue using it and am resolved to finding a way to reduce this weight gain one way or another!

[ancient runner]

Lazydaze, do all those side effects definitely stop if you stop the vagifem for a month? Or could they be menopause related?
I just wish the vagifem alone worked for me. But they don't.

[CLKD]

I don't think that there is a) enough oestrogen to migrate and b) it is localised otherwise I wouldn't be allowed to use it.

Vaginal atrophy mimics urine 'infections' but is rarely infection, the ONLY way is to have a fresh urine sample sent to a Lab. to check for growth.  VA for me irritates my bladder and this is noticeable for 24 hours following treatment with Ovestin1mg.  After that the feelings settle.

HORMONES   

I think that weight gain goes with ageing ........ as ladies who have never been treated for VA complain of not being able to lose.

[Elizabethrose]

I'm afraid that some hormone sensitive women can react CLKD, my specialists aren't at all surprised. All has been discussed. x

[babyjane]

I went up a bra cup size, from a B to a C, when I started Vagifem 6 years ago and I have remained the same, I didn't keep on increasing.

[CLKD]

Interesting 

[Elizabethrose]

Haha, thank goodness for that babyjane, you'd need a couple of hammocks now! 

Mine are bigger at the moment but so is my belly!  x

[babyjane]

 

[Optimist]

Hi ladies glad I found this thread. I started taking vagifem for urinary problems and dryness. Within 3 days: back to mood swings that had been eliminated on everol sequi for nearly 6 months, really sore breasts that I hadn't had at all on everol, bloating, weight gain, in the plus side sleeping better and definitely stopped me getting up at night but I stopped it after 4 weeks due to anger/irritability/low mood/no libido (which had been getting so much better)  so all symptoms for which I started HRT in first place.
So yes, absolutely agree, sensitivity to hormones as in other meds.
Only trouble now is my hrt appears to have stopped working-having hotbflushes again at night, not sleeping well, absolutely no libido and very low mood. Oh plus had a massive bleed (proper period, first in 5-6 months). Will this reverse again does anyone know or should I be referred to meno clinic? I was doing so well it's very frustrating. Ps recent scan showed very thin womb lining, cysts and fluid in tube-awaiting gp appointment.
Thanks ladies, any advice much appreciated.

[babyjane]

Oh Sparky, not everyone gets side effects, and not all of them all the time.  Very little of the active ingredient is absorbed, side effects are more likely to be caused by the fillers.

I had a few effects for the first 3 weeks but that was 6 years ago and I wouldn't be without it now.  Your poor fanny, give it a chance of relief 

[Elizabethrose]

Haha Sparkle, remember I'm a freak!!  No really, very few people seem to react and my side effects are no trouble, in fact I'm quids in really as the flushes are greatly reduced. I would definitely recommend using them, the alternative is not comfortable! x

[Hurdity]

I have been using vagifem since about May last year. Looking back, i can see a number of symptoms which I didn't relate to it.  My fingers have swollen so much I can't wear my rings, my bras are all painfully tight, I am suffering from headaches and digestive issues, and I have gained weight. My breasts also hurt.  I didn't connect these things to vagifem, but the light is going on in my head! If I stop taking it, I am back to the constant dryness, burning feeling and threat of UTIs.  I was having constant UTIs before I took vagifem.  I was also not warned by the doctor there were ANY side effects, she assured me it would not cross into my blood.  I am hyper sensitive to hormones and antibiotics in general, and the pill when taken for a short time in my youth caused terrible problems.

Has anyone experienced similar side effects and did they stop taking vagifem?  I hate using it but the alternative is misery.  What on earth did women do before these things were invented?  They can't have spent their lives having urine infections or in pain?

Hi lazydaze

 

Whereabouts are you in menopause? If you are peri-menopausal then the extra oestrogen itself is negligible and would be lost in amongst your own cycle (as CLKD says - she couldn't use it otherwise and she is post-meno and slim!).. There is some systemic absorption but it is absolutely tiny and any side effects due to initial absorption should settle after a few weeks at the most, once the vaginal cells are plumped up. You would be more likely to notice the effects of this tiny amount of oestrogen if you were several years post-menopause - and your own oestrogen levels were very low, and especially if you had low BMI since some oestrogen is stored in fat if you are post-menopausal.

Have you been to see the doc about your symptoms? Swollen fingers do not sound normal.  Side effects like this would be extremely unlikely to persist from estradiol itself - as this is the same molecule that is made in our bodies. The pill that you took years ago consisted of very high doses of synthetic oestrogens and progestogens and your reaction to this would have no bearing on how you react to Vagifem. I would ask to get checked out but probably not to do with the Vagifem, I wouldn't have thought. If it is this, then it would be more likely to be a reaction to the fillers rather than estradiol (unless as above you are well post-meno and thin!).

There is another type of vaginal oestrogen called estriol which comes as a generic (0.01 %) or Ovestin at 0.1 %. These are listed here: https://menopausematters.co.uk/local.php - you would have to check the list of ingredients to see if you are OK with them if you are hypo-allergic to chemcials? if the fillers are a problemn then there is the Estring which is a rubber ring ( are you OK with rubber) which you insert and just gives out Estradiol. That is higher dose though but still tiny tiny amount compared to what's probably in your system.

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Hi ladies glad I found this thread. I started taking vagifem for urinary problems and dryness. Within 3 days: back to mood swings that had been eliminated on everol sequi for nearly 6 months, really sore breasts that I hadn't had at all on everol, bloating, weight gain, in the plus side sleeping better and definitely stopped me getting up at night but I stopped it after 4 weeks due to anger/irritability/low mood/no libido (which had been getting so much better)  so all symptoms for which I started HRT in first place.
So yes, absolutely agree, sensitivity to hormones as in other meds.
Only trouble now is my hrt appears to have stopped working-having hotbflushes again at night, not sleeping well, absolutely no libido and very low mood. Oh plus had a massive bleed (proper period, first in 5-6 months). Will this reverse again does anyone know or should I be referred to meno clinic? I was doing so well it's very frustrating. Ps recent scan showed very thin womb lining, cysts and fluid in tube-awaiting gp appointment.
Thanks ladies, any advice much appreciated.

Hi Optimist - the symptoms you mention are more likely to be due to your own hormones and cyclical changes (possibly also as a result of the HRT) rather than the Vagifem (the dose is very very small especially in realtion to what you are already taking!) - as shown by your having a period, and hot flushes appearing. It may be that you need a higher dose (of HRT) which is better obtained by having separate oestrogen patches with some form of progestogen - either Provera or Utrogestan ( Progesterone). Perhaps give it some thought - but don't stop the Vagifem!!!

Hurdity x

[Maryjane]

Hurdity 😊 Think the ring is silicone , or is silicone rubber 🙈