Vagifem - (Estradiol) can it make you feel irritable ?

I started Vagifem over a week ago. It is the first estrogen I have really been able to tolerate. I have been taking it slowly and using half a tablet a day.
At first it gave me headaches, then I went through a phase of feeling very hyped and tearful. That has settled down in the last couple of days but now I am feeling a little "antsy".

I use topical testosterone now and then when needed although these days I hardly use it at all. The feeling I am having from the Vagifem is very similar to the feeling of too much testosterone. A bit irritable and agitated. I am using Vagifem to help with my libido as well as vaginal dryness but ironically I have completely lost interest at present!

I am wondering if anyone else had had a similar experience when starting estrogen and if it will pass?
My plan is to get up to a whole tablet a day and use it daily all the time, as I am unable to tolerate any other ERT.

Any help would be appreciated.


uk lady

Have you considered adding progesterone to your HRT regimen?

I have never noticed anything from vagifem except 2 things. I cramp at times and I feel aroused. I think the cramping may be pelvic congestion and the arousal, therefore related. I want to have sex the days I use it. Also it keeps me moist. I do not see any other results, ie hot flash relief etc.

I wouldn't have thought I should need progesterone for such a low amount of estrogen, I am not on any other ERT.

Vali
I am finding relief from hot flashes even on half a tab a day. I don't expect it would help in that way if you only used it a couple of days a week. As I said I am planning on using it daily.
I don't notice cramping and certainly not arousal-quite the reverse at the moment unfortunately!


uk lady

I am not aware of vagifem coming in more than one dose- 25mcg in a pre-filled applicator. It is just supposed to be used for local use, not systemic estrogen use. It has never relieved a hot flash for me, but it does a good job locally. The insurance company and the directions on vagifem say to start with 4 times a week and then progress to 2 times a week. My insurance company will only let me have it that way.I'd prefer to use it daily but it's expensive. I have to pay $25 for 8 of them, that is for a 2 times a month use.

It definitely will help with hot flashes. If you look on this board quite a few ladies use it as their only HRT and they say it does work (if it is used every day.) It does come only in 25 mcgs in UK although I believe there is a new lower dose just available in US (10mcgs)
It is not true that vaginal estrogens only work locally, although many people believe this.
The vaginal area is very vascular and estrogen does easily pass into the bloodstream. There are lots of controlled studies that prove this.
It is similar to applying hormones sublingually.
As I live in UK I pay only a very small amount for my prescriptions. It is a standard amount regardless of which drug I am prescribed. We are lucky here!

uk lady

When I use Vagifem I always have systemic effects. I always thought it stayed localized but I called the company and they told me that's the reason they say on the insert to watch for the same side effects as taking estrogen orally, cream or sublingually. Many times I thought it was all in my head but last week I used one and had a headache for 13 hours. Motrin didn't touch the pain. I really like the the tablets but now after the headache I'm scared to try them. Trish

April
I have been using mine for almost two weeks now and the headaches have stopped. I have also found that by and large the irritability has gone-except for about an hour a day after I insert one. I feel more hyped up and a bit shakey rather than irritable now.
I agree they do have a systemic effect and it is just enough to help my hot flushes and libido. I don't want to use a higher dose.
Another weird side effect I have noticed is a funny taste in my mouth and a slight loss of appetite.
Don't give up with them if you like them. With regular use-the side effects should pass.Headaches were the first side effect I had and the first to go after only a couple of days of use.


uk lady

I forgot to mention my ankles swell a lot. Don't know if many others have this side effect. Know I need it as when I don't use anything my bladder is a major issue (constant leakage,urgency and frequency. Just telling my husband a childhood friend of mine had a hysterectomy (complete) many years ago and all she has ever taken is Premarin .625mg. and has never had side effects and has lead a life free of sx.
Trish