Vagifem 10mcg

Buy Vagifem

Vagifem is a type of vaginal hormone replacement therapy used to relieve menopausal symptoms in the vagina such as dryness or irritation. This is known as ‘vaginal atrophy’, caused by a drop in the levels of oestrogen in your body following the menopause. 

How Vagifem works

The active ingredient in Vagifem is estradiol, which is a type of the female sex hormone oestrogen. Levels of oestrogen naturally drop during menopause, so taking a treatment like estradiol replaces these lost hormones and helps to relieve symptoms associated with menopause. This type of treatment is referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Directions 

Always take this medicine exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Use one vaginal tablet each day for the first 2 weeks, then use one vaginal tablet twice a week, leaving 3 or 4 days between each dose. 

1. Tear off one single blister pack and open the end (as shown in the images in the patient information leaflet).
2. Insert the applicator carefully into the vagina and stop when you can feel some resistance (about 8-10cm).
3. To release the tablet, gently press the push button until you feel a click. The tablet will stick to the wall of the vagina straight away, it will not fall out if you stand up or walk. 
4. Take out the applicator and throw it away.

Side effects 

Like all medicines, Vagifem can cause side effects, but these won’t affect everyone. Side effects include: 

• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort
• An infection of the genitals caused by fungus
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Rash
• Weight increase
• Hot flush
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

For more information about potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

The following diseases are reported more often in women using HRT medicines which circulate in the blood compared to women not using HRT. These risks apply less to vaginally administered treatments such as Vagifem:

• Ovarian cancer
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs
• Stroke
• Probable memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65

For more detailed information about these risks, refer to the patient information leaflet. 

Warnings

Do not use Vagifem if: 

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to estradiol or any of the other ingredients of Vagifem
• You have or have ever had breast cancer, or you are suspected of having it
• You have or have ever had cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or you are suspected of having it
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated
• You have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• You have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency)
• You have or have recently had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina
• You have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal
• You have a rare blood problem called ‘porphyria’

Talk to your doctor before taking Vagifem if you have any of the following conditions: 

• Asthma
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Gallstones
• High blood pressure
• Migraines or severe headaches
• A liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour
• Growth of womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis) or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• A disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis) 
• A disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE)
• Increased risk of getting an oestrogen sensitive cancer (such as having a mother, sister or grandmother who has had breast cancer)
• Increased risk of developing blood clots
• Fibroids inside your womb
• A very high level of fat in your blood (triglycerides)
• Fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems

Stop using Vagifem and see a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Migraine-like headaches which happen for the first time
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• A large rise in your blood pressure (symptoms may be headache, tiredness, dizziness)
• Any of the conditions mentioned in the ‘do not use Vagifem’ section
• If you become pregnant
• If you notice signs of a blood clot, such as: painful swelling and redness of the legs,  sudden chest pain, difficulty in breathing. 

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

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