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Barbara

Posted , 6 users are following.

barbara21233
barbara21233

I am 80 years old and was put on vagiferm pesseries because of inflammation and a discharge. I was on one everyday foe a fortnihht and then 2 a week after for 3 months. Unfortunately I now have depression and anxiety so my Dr wants me to go back in them again but dont want to do this. Any suggestions please

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 barbara21233

    Posted

    Hello Barbara, Vagifem wont make you depressed or anxious, in fact the opposite. Because its oestrogen, the hormone we lose after menopause, thats why we ladies get dry and sore, and can also have bad menopausal symptoms, which can last for years after the menopause.

    Using vagifem puts all the missing oestrogen back into our tissues. Stops dryness and soreness, and can make things better overall.

    Its also a weak strength, so can't cause any harm. Your doctor is thinking of all of this, and wants you to feel better. Any reason why you don't want to use them again?

  • Rhiannon_5000
    Rhiannon_5000 barbara21233

    Posted

    Barbara can i ask why you don't want to back on it? All it does is make the vagina healthier, there's no risk. Its tiny amount. It doesn't alter the way you feel.

    • barbara21233
      barbara21233 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      unfortunately because of my age my skin is very thin and that is why I am absorbing it into my system which doesnt normally happen , so my GP wants me to go back onto it with quite high dosage for 5 weeks and then cut it back overtime. Just not keen !

    • barbara21233
      barbara21233 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      because of my age my skin is very thin and therefore am absorbing it into my system which causing this depression etc because I came off it after a fortnight to a low dose as advised.

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 barbara21233

      Posted

      barbara, those of us who are using hormone cream have been prescribed it precisely because we have thinning skin. I am 71 and was using it nightly for nearly two years, but recently cut back to twice a week because of swelling of the labia (which started out as as "plumping up nicely" according to my gyn). I haven't seen her in 9 months as she left the practice so decided on my own to cut the dosage and am doing fine. The only possibly negative result I had experienced from using it was breast tenderness. My gyn said it can happen but rarely. That has since gone away. It hasn't affected my mood in any way.

      If you and your doc feel strongly that it has negatively affected your mood to go to a lower dose why are you reluctant to go back to a higher one for 5 weeks then ease off? If you are concerned about breast cancer I think you have to take it systemically for a long period for that to happen, but I would research it and ask the doc to explain in detail why he feels it's safe.

      I avoided using hormone cream for 3 years after being diagnosed with AV because my sister had breast cancer which was likely caused by the HRT she was on for many years. Unfortunately I ended up with LS so now have to use steroids and an immuno-suppressant along with the hormone cream I was mistakenly trying to avoid.

    • Rhiannon_5000
      Rhiannon_5000 barbara21233

      Posted

      I'm 64 so not far behind you. Getting old is not for the faint hearted! I put my pessary in with my finger, just enough so it doesnt come out, a female women's health specialist told me to do this as apparently you dont absorb as much but still reaches bladder.

    • barbara21233
      barbara21233 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      Thanks for that, will try your suggestion as I have decided to go back onto the higher dose for the next five weeks. All the various comments have helped.

  • louisa24
    louisa24 barbara21233

    Posted

    Bar bara it wont harm you. It also helps to prevent UTIs I was also concerned when I was put on it but it does help. Your anxiety is a other issue talk to your doctor.

    • barbara21233
      barbara21233 louisa24

      Posted

      Thanks for all the feedbacks. Have discussed this with my doctor and specialist who advised me previously to go on to it. I think the thought of using the pesseries again for so long is not sitting well with me.

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 barbara21233

      Posted

      I apply it to the vaginal entrance only. Would that be preferable to you? If so maybe you should discuss it as an option with the specialist or whoever is prescribing it. Our choices are limited, unfortunately.

    • barbara21233
      barbara21233 louisa24

      Posted

      thanks yes I also have had UTIs so good to know that it helps.

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