Questions re: Vagifem

My doctor prescribed Vagifem for painful sex (not dryness). She prescribed two doses per week for a start. After taking my first dose, I had a terrible reaction. After 20 hours after the first dose I became extremely dizzy and lightheaded. Felt like I had the flu. It lasted until the next day, couldn't go to work the next morning. As the next day progressed I started to feel better. I took several days before I really felt like myself again. As a result I did not take the second dose! Is this the way the medication works or is it just my reaction. I work full time and have responsibilities. I can't induce sickness upon myself. Is this something that would improve in time? Do I have to go through a period of illness before I get better? Can anyone answer these questions? Thanks.

Hi Concerned 12,

I'm sorry you felt so bad.

Vagifem doesn't cause me dizziness or lightheadedness. Since it happened about 20 hours after you used it, is it possible that you actually had a flu bug of some kind?

If they were actually a reaction to the vagifem, you should talk to your Dr about it. Those are side affects you don't want to ignore....especially if they were bad enough to keep you from work.

s,
Kay

Hi there...yes, I hope I can help! I started using Vagifem a couple of months ago, to combat dryness issues.

The first thing I would ask is, are you sure it was the Vagifem which caused this? I ask as it seems to me that 20 hours afterwards is rather a long time to feel the effects so badly. Could it be that you had a nasty virus?

When I first used Vagifem, I felt quite peculiar in the night, so a few hours after application. I felt the 'surge' of oestrogen through my body and in my chest. If I hadn't known what it was, I would have been quite scared.

After the second use, I noticed the surge, but it was not as strong, but this time I got a headache ...and I think after the third application too.

Then it all seemed to go away and I no longer notice a difference in my body, other than sometimes a feeling of fullness in the breasts, but that is also quite mild.

I would suggest trying it again, if you are brave enough. Use two applications per week as prescribed and see if the same thing happens. If it does happen after the first use, you could continue with the second to see if it was any bettter.

Good luck. It could just be your body getting used to a dose of oestrogen.

Thank you both for your replies. It does sound like a long time (20 hrs.) before I had a reaction. I remember many years ago, being on birth control pills, feeling the same way. I suffered many years on the Pill with a strange feeling in my head. A dizzy, almost a heavy head. It felt like my head was packed with cotton!! Sounds strange, I know. This was the same feeling again. I will have to think about my next move. I may try again with another dose. Thanks again for your replies.

Yes, I do know that feeling of a heavy head packed with cotton. The pill and oral HRT did the same for me, but I was ok on a patch and I have not had that sensation using Vagifem. It is quite a low dose of oestrogen, which is said not to last too long in the body, but I know only too well that what is not supposed to happen often happens to me, as I am quite a sensitive soul.


PS I have just had another thought...have you had a hysterectomy? Are you post menopausal?
If not, and if your ovaries are still in good health and producing oestrogen, Vagifem might well be raising the levels of oestrogen in the bloodstream so that overall, your levels are too high and therefore causing unpleasant symptoms.

Yes, I am very sensitive to medication and have reacted to other medication in various ways. So, I understand what you mean. I will think about what to do next. My doctor hasn't offered me anything else for my problem. I think she knows my concerns about HRT and the risks involved. My family has a history of breast cancer. I prefer not to take hormones for that reason but I'm in a bad situation. My husband has been very understanding but he is younger than I am and doesn't want to loose the sexual part of our relationship.

So, I'm not sure what to do just yet.

Thanks.

Oh dear, I do understand where you are coming from on this and am sorry you are having to deal with this problem. Maybe someone may come along soon with any OTC non hormonal creams which might help you... Good luck in your decision making. Take care.

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Thank you, I will check out this site.