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Vagifem is an effective, prescription-only treatment for vaginal dryness, irritation and discomfort - all common symptoms of menopause. The main ingredient in Vagifem is estradiol, which is a hormone that helps to replace your natural oestrogen levels, which start to decline during menopause.
However, unlike systemic oestrogen treatments which affect the entire body, Vagifem is a form of vaginal oestrogen. This means that it is inserted directly into your vagina. This localises the treatment to your vaginal area, with minimal amounts of the hormone getting into your bloodstream.
As a localised treatment, Vagifem is an excellent choice for women who are experiencing the vaginal symptoms of dryness, discomfort and irritation, but who don’t need help for other menopause effects like hot flushes. It’s also been shown to help with urinary symptoms of menopause, like mild incontinence.
Vagifem is a popular form of localised hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that has been successfully used by millions of women in menopause since it was first licensed in 1999. As a targeted treatment, it replaces oestrogen only in the vaginal area, providing valuable relief from the symptoms of dryness, discomfort and irritation but with fewer risks than those associated with oral HRT.
The active ingredient in Vagifem is estradiol, which is a form of oestrogen that is identical to that usually produced by your ovaries. During menopause, your natural oestrogen levels will start to decline, causing the tissues lining your vagina to become thinner and drier. This can contribute towards the dryness, discomfort and irritation you may be experiencing. By taking Vagifem to restore oestrogen levels in your vagina, you can get relief from these common menopause symptoms.
If you are just starting Vagifem, you should start by using one vaginal tablet every day for two weeks. This will provide a rapid hormone boost to kick start relief from your symptoms. After this, you should use Vagifem twice per week, leaving between three and four days between doses. This will help maintain your replacement oestrogen levels.
The application process is simple. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after insertion. Simply place the tablet into your vagina following the guidance in the patient instruction leaflet. If you have any concerns about the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced clinicians.
Estradiol hemihydrate is the active ingredient in Vagifem, with each tablet containing 10mcg. The non-active ingredients also found in Vagifem tablets include hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, maize starch and magnesium stearate.
Vagifem tablets are film coated, and this coating also contains hypromellose and macrogol 6000.
As with all medicines, you could experience some side effects when using Vagifem treatment. However, these are usually milder than those seen in people who use systemic (whole body) hormone replacement therapy. Side effects are also less common using vaginal oestrogen.
Some of the side effects to be aware of include headaches, stomach pain, vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge or discomfort in this area. If you have any concerns about side effects at any time, stop using Vagifem and speak to our clinical team.
Before you start taking any new medication, it is important to familiarise yourself with the possible health risks and side effects associated with this type of treatment. For a full list of side effects and warnings please see the Patient Information Leaflet contained within your product packaging.
You’ll need a prescription for Vagifem treatment, which means you’ll need to have a consultation before you can access the medication. This is to make sure that oral oestrogen is safe and the right choice of treatment for you.
You may not be a suitable candidate for Vagifem if you have had unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, blood clots, liver disease or certain other conditions.
It’s important to have regular check-ups with your prescribing clinician and/or doctor when taking Vagifem, and always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly.
If you have any worries about taking Vagifem, speak to a healthcare professional.
Vagifem is used to treat a collection of symptoms that are known as vaginal atrophy. These are vaginal dryness, irritation, itching and discomfort, particularly during intercourse. These typically occur during menopause, as a result of declining levels of the natural hormone, oestrogen. It can also be used to treat urinary symptoms of menopause such as bladder weakness.
Vagifem replaces the missing oestrogen, balancing your hormone levels and reducing many of the vaginal symptoms of menopause.
Vagifem is a local, targeted form of hormone replacement therapy. This is because it’s administered in the form of a tablet that is inserted into your vagina. In this way, the hormone works directly in the area where it is needed, with minimal impact on the rest of your body. This makes it different from oral or patch-based HRT are systemic therapies, meaning they work on your entire body.
Vaginal oestrogen successfully treats your vaginal symptoms while reducing the risks and side effects associated with systemic HRT.
Vagifem gets to work as soon as you start using it. However, it takes time for the hormone to build up in your body, so while you may start to see some improvement in your symptoms right away, it could take between up to 12 weeks to start experiencing the full benefit of your treatment.
When you start using Vagifem, you’ll be advised to use it every day for several weeks, which will help to build up the oestrogen in your vagina more quickly. You’ll then move onto using it twice each week to maintain your increased oestrogen level. It’s important to continue to take your Vagifem treatment as prescribed, even after your symptoms improve. If you stop, your oestrogen levels will start to drop again and your symptoms could return.
As a localised treatment, the oestrogen contained in Vagifem tablets is targeted on your vaginal area. This means that there is little absorption into the rest of your body, reducing many of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy and the likelihood of the treatment interacting with any other medications you may be taking.
Nevertheless, it’s essential that you tell your clinician about any other medications you are taking, including those bought over the counter, when you have your consultation. This will help ensure that Vagifem is right for you.
There are some rumours that taking Vagifem could cause you to gain weight. However, there is currently no strong evidence to link Vagifem to weight gain, particularly when compared to systemic HRT treatment.
Some studies suggest that you may temporarily experience some fluid retention while taking Vagifem, but that this usually improves within three months. If you have any concerns about weight gain while taking Vagifem, always speak to your prescribing clinician.
Menopause symptoms can last for years, so you’ll want a treatment that provides long-term relief. In the case of Vagifem, doctors typically prescribe the lowest effective dose. This helps ensure that it works, while reducing the risk of any side effects. For most women, Vagifem can be taken long-term, provided they have regular appointments to review their medication.
Vaginal dryness can be uncomfortable and irritating. While Vagifem gets to work to help increase your natural vaginal lubrication, you can use additional lubrication if needed, to get immediate relief from your symptoms.
When Vagifem reaches full effect, you may no longer need to use artificial lubrication to enjoy comfortable intercourse, but there’s no reason why you can’t if you find it beneficial. If you are concerned about using lubricant with Vagifem, speak to our clinical team.
The key difference between Vagifem and vaginal creams to treat atrophy is in the way that they are applied. As their name suggests, vaginal creams are a topical treatment that need to be applied to the vagina, either with clean hands or using an applicator tube. This can make them messy and even uncomfortable. Vaginal creams also need to be applied regularly.
In contrast, Vagifem is a tablet that is inserted into your vagina using a specially-designed applicator that isn’t too dissimilar to a tampon applicator. Simply place it into your vagina in the desired position and use your finger to press the plunger and release the tablet. There’s no messy creams, and once the tablet is in place, you won’t be able to feel it. It’s fast, convenient and after the initial treatment period (during which you’ll need to use Vagifem daily) you’ll only need two doses per week to maintain its effects.
Vagifem works by restoring your oestrogen levels. If you choose to stop treatment, it’s very likely that your oestrogen levels will quickly start to decline and this could cause your symptoms to return. If you are thinking about stopping your treatment, it’s important that you consult with your prescribing clinician first. You may be able to reduce the dose, rather than stop it altogether.
If you are suffering with the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, such as dryness, irritation and discomfort, Vagifem tablets may be able to provide you with relief. You will just need to have a short consultation with a member of our discreet, knowledgeable clinical team to ensure that Vagifem is right for you. It takes only three minutes, and once approved for treatment, you can buy Vagifem right away. It’ll be delivered quickly, in unmarked packaging. Get relief today.
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Visit our Vaginal Dryness page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
