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.
- Tear off one single blister pack and open the end (as shown in the images in the patient information leaflet).
- Insert the applicator carefully into the vagina and stop when you can feel some resistance (about 8-10cm).
- 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.
- 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.