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[Dierdre]

I definately dont think a 2 week load is enough, then going down to 2 a week! I struggled with this dosage the first year and it was awful. I think you should be on every day, then when ready, go to a dose that is right for you. Also be given Ovestin for external use from the start too.

[Whatsupwiththis]

Stellajane...I think that is what us VA ladies fear is that we will never be 100%.  There are some days where lady bits feel much better and then there are some days where it's 'oh no not again'!  I only wish that when the younger women reach this stage in their lives, they will have a simple cure for VA (we can dream)...

[Julia Dizzy]

I have been on Vagifem twice weekly for over 2 years now. I have post episiotomy lumpy scarring just inside the vaginal entrance, which since the menopause 10 years ago has become loads more painful due to VA.  Intimacy hurts just where the scarring is!!
I have recently decided to increase it to every third night, but wonder should I use it more often than this - will it help the scarring?
I started on 2 pumps Estrogel and 100mg utrogestan daily (with Tostran gel added later by meno clinic) last October. (went up to 3 pumps recently which made nipples sore again so may go back to 2??) HRT seems to have got rid of hot flushes and had no bleeds, but still have the severe VA and also global anxiety which am hoping will improve as time goes on?? Yes I agree Whatsupwiththis, we'll never have our bits right again??!!

[Whatsupwiththis]

Julia Dizzy...I tried with twice a week with very little relief.  My GP insisted I use it daily as I have severe VA.  As many ladies have posted, Vagifem contains such a tiny amount of estrogen and for me, quality of life is far more important than quantity.  There should be no need for us VA ladies to live in such discomfort and if Vagifem (or reasonable facsimile) helps if needed daily,  then so be it.   

[Wrensong]

Dierdre, The 2 nights a week I don't use topical HRT are those when I apply a new patch.  I have probs with Vagifem in that they don't dissolve very quickly, so that sometimes they are expelled virtually intact when I go to the loo the next day, or on a couple of occasions 36hr after insertion.  This became evident given I have some nights Vagifem-free.  I can't use the internal creams though & Estring is also out for me, so there's no alternative.  That's where systemic HRT has helped I think - it's taken a long time as I'm on very low dose, but topical alone is simply not enough for me.  I'm post-BSO, very skinny, so probably lacking the sources of buffering oestrogen women with a healthier amount of body fat are said to go on producing postmenopause & indeed bloods showed my oestradiol was too low to be measurable before systemic HRT.

The menopause clinic's suggestion I supplement Vagifem with the very low dose Estriol made a big difference to the comfort of the external area.  I would not want to be without either.

I agree with Whatsup - perseverance is key - it's an ongoing maintenance project  .  So thank goodness there are products out there we can use. 

[Dierdre]

Have you tried using some YES waterbased lubricant a couple of hours before inserting your vagifem so to help it dissolve and not drop out dry.  The small 5ml vials might work best. I suffer worst on the outside and need Ovestin for this as Vagifem doesn't seem to reach there.

I took 2 vagifem last night to see if the old dosage might work better twice a week but it caused cramps and the chalky discharge today from the fillers has irritated, I wont be trying that again.

[Wrensong]

Dierdre, thanks for that reminder - a meno specialist also suggested that & I did try with Yes WB, but forget to do it regularly as I was using Vagifem for a long time beforehand on its own - old habits die hard.  I don't seem to have lost a tablet recently & other signs are that area is improved now I'm back on systemic HRT as well.

I don't know whether you've tried varying insertion depth.  That was another tip given to me at a meno clinic, as Vagifem's effects are apparently very localised.  The advice is to alternate deeper insertion with shallower.  Apparently its common for women to be especially sore just inside the entrance.  So inserting Vagifem not too far inside is more likely to help that area. 

[Lyncola]

Hi Wrensong,

I tried doing Vagifem lower as all my pain is external. I tried on a Wednesday night, on Friday I had virginal atrophy flare up. And was in pain all day. And that was the only reason I could think of that the tablet got inserted too low about 3cm. Now I'm still struggling to get over my flare up and too scared to try again

[Wrensong]

Hi Lyncola, ooh that sounds very uncomfortable.  Have you tried one of the oestrogen creams instead of Vagifem?  They can be very soothing.  They can be used internally & externally.  I use the weaker form of Estriol cream for the external area.  It's the 0.01% formulation & I find that really helps & leaves me very comfortable.  Not sure, but I have in mind that you are in Oz  & if so I don't know what's available over there?
Wx

[Dierdre]

Wrensong ive tried inserting low but the fillers then irritate the outside bits so i have to place it higher and then use the Ovestin cream for the outside. This normally works but not all the time as we all know.  Even the cream sometimes stings and burns if im sore so ive got Dermovate cream to use then and thats soothing but i cant use all the time as it contains steroids.  Im sometimes better on the day i dont use the Vagifem and just the cream and vice versa, there's no pattern to any of it, i can do exactly the same routine as the day before but then have a blip,. Its just a constant battle.

[Sammiejane]

i?m young went through this at 39 ! VA is not fun thankfully i?m managing on twice a week although i?m not sitting all day as gave up work and was doin mg a desk job

how do u have intimacy with partner if using everyday ? is it ok for him to be exposed to it just asking incase in the future i need this although i?m on ovestin cream internally and externally x

[Lyncola]

Hi Sammiejane,

I'm glad I'm not the only younger person going through this, I was 45  when virginal atrophy started. I think am I going to have a sore virgina all my life

With sex, as I am at the moment using something every night. I just asked my husband if he wants to do something before i use Vagifem or Ovestin externally. Takes the romance out, but I tell he once I use something that's it, no sex.

And I'm sure your not supposed to have sex after use Ovestin and I assume it's the same with Vagifem.