Vagifem

First of all, thank you for choosing Numan. If your prescription request for Vagifem 10 Micrograms Vaginal Tablets has been accepted, or if you considering whether this treatment may be suitable for you, we'd like to help you learn how to use it to its best effect, and give you some important information before you start taking it. You can also refer to this page throughout your treatment.

Vagifem vaginal tablets are a type of local hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is a small tablet that is inserted into the vagina and contains 10 micrograms of the active ingredient estradiol, a form of the female hormone oestrogen. Each tablet is pre-loaded into a single-use, disposable applicator for insertion.

Vagifem vaginal tablets are used to relieve menopausal symptoms that occur in and around the vagina, a condition known as 'vaginal atrophy'. These symptoms are caused by a drop in oestrogen levels after menopause and can include vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, soreness, and pain during sexual intercourse. It can also help with associated urinary symptoms like painful urination.

Vagifem vaginal tablets work locally by replacing the oestrogen that is normally produced by the ovaries, releasing the hormone directly where it is needed to relieve discomfort.

Many women notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks of starting treatment. However, it can sometimes take up to three months for your body to adjust and for you to feel the full benefits.

Vagifem vaginal tablets are inserted into the vagina using the applicator provided.
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​How to administer Vagifem vaginal tablets:
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1. Open the blister pack at the plunger end.
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2. Insert the applicator in the vagina until resistance is met (8-10 cm).
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3. Release the tablet by pressing the plunger.
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4. Withdraw the applicator and discard.
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​Initial Dose: Use one vaginal tablet each day for the first two weeks of treatment.
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​Maintenance Dose: After the initial two weeks, the dose is reduced to one vaginal tablet twice a week (for example, every Tuesday and Friday).
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You can start treatment on any day that is convenient for you.
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​Missed dose: If a dose is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Always take this medicine exactly as instructed, and check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

The dosing regimen is the same for all adult women. The goal of HRT is always to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to manage your symptoms.
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There are no special dosage requirements for elderly patients, though experience in treating women over 65 years is limited. This medicine is not for use in children.
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​Please note that Vagifem vaginal tablets are not appropriate for vegans - the formulation contains gelatin, therefore may not be appropriate for some women to take if they do not wish to consume animal products.

Pregnancy: Vagifem vaginal tablets are not a contraceptive and the formulation is intended for use only in post-menopausal women. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice on this. If you become pregnant while taking it, you must stop treatment immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
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​Breastfeeding: Vagifem vaginal tablets are not indicated during breastfeeding.

Vagifem vaginal tablets are a local form of HRT, meaning very little of the hormone is absorbed into the rest of your body. Because of this minimal systemic absorption, it is generally not necessary to also take a progestogen to protect the womb lining, even if you have not had a hysterectomy. However, you should report any unusual or unexpected vaginal bleeding to your doctor right away.

Common side effects can include headache, stomach or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort, and vaginal yeast infection. Because Vagifem vaginal tablets are a local treatment with very low absorption, the risks associated with systemic HRT (such as blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer) are considered to be much lower, but they should still be considered, especially with long-term use. For a full list of side effects, please see the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your medication and also linked at the bottom of this page.

Your clinician will review your treatment after three months to check how you’re responding. After that, you should have a check-up at least once a year. These reviews will assess whether HRT is still right for you, make sure your symptoms are under control, ask about any side effects and vaginal bleeding, request a check of your weight and your blood pressure, and decide if you need further tests such as a bone density scan. You should also examine your breasts regularly, and make sure to attend all routine screening appointments such as mammograms and cervical screening, if applicable to you. If you have a premature menopause, the risks of using HRT may be different, which you should discuss with your clinician.

You should stop using Vagifem vaginal tablets immediately and consult your doctor if you experience any of the following: signs of a blood clot (e.g. painful swelling in the leg), a swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives, together with difficulty breathing which are suggestive of an angioedema, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), a significant increase in your blood pressure, the new onset of a migraine-type headache, or if you become pregnant. When you and your clinician decide it is time to stop HRT, the dose is often reduced gradually to help prevent your menopausal symptoms from returning suddenly.

If any of the following conditions are present, have occurred previously, and/or have been aggravated during pregnancy or previous hormone treatment, you should be closely supervised. It should be taken into account that these conditions may recur or be aggravated during treatment with Vagifem 10 Micrograms Vaginal Tablets, in particular:

Do not refrigerate. Keep out of reach of children.

If you have questions about your medication, wish to discuss alternative treatment plans, or need reassurance, our clinicians are available to provide expert advice and support. Just email us at [email protected].

Lastly, please read the Patient Information Leaflet linked below and included with your treatment for a full list of side effects, contraindications, and precautions.