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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are There Any Side Effects Of Withdrawing Vagifem?

Hi. I went to my doctor and said I was experiencing a bulgy feeling below that I don t feel is normal. I was quickly prescribed Vagifem 25mg daily for 2 weeks, then twice weekly for the rest of the pack. Now 1per week. I have not liked using it at all. I have gained weight rapidly. My back has been sore. I m moody. Depressed, probably from the weight gain. I m not sleeping well. I can t seem to concentrate. Sometimes dizzy. Have had a few headaches, bouts of nausea but no vomiting and that feeling disappears as quickly as it comes. Worst of all I have little to no sex drive. Also brownish discharge. I had a hysterectomy in 2011 ovaries left in. They also fixed my bladder. That has been great but I usually have to rock back n forth to make sure I get all the urine out. This morning I am having a scan to see if all the urine is gone after I wee. All this because I felt bulgy below. Will it hurt to stop the Vagifem? I m sure I will feel a lot better than I do right now.
Fri, 18 May 2018
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OBGYN, Gynecologic Oncology 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

It is not clear from your query, as to why Vagifem was prescribed for you. You had your hysterectomy but the ovaries were left behind. So hormone replacement therapy is needed only if you are definitely menopausal as verified by age and/or blood test for Serum FSH level, which if high indicate ovarian function failure or menopause in other words. Vagifem releases hormones locally in vagina and is more beneficial if deficiency of female hormone - oestrogen has caused soreness, thinning and dryness of vagina and lower urine passage giving rise to burning and stinging when passing urine and other such symptoms. It should be started with lowest possible dose of 10 mg. It is known to produce the type of symptoms that you have reported i.e.sickness, headaches, bloatedness, fluid retention leading to weight gain. It might be worth reviewing your symptoms and dose of Vagifem with the prescribing doctor. Menopausal symptoms can be alleviated to a large extent by diet and lifestyle changes for which specific advice can be available. There are some supplements that you could take in consultation with a nutritionist or functional medicine doctor. These contain natural phytoestrogens which when given as dietary supplements can gently give relief from such symptoms. There are Ayurvedic remedies as well, however make sure you check on the health professionals credentials and experience or use word of mouth recommendations when seeking advice on such matters.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Are There Any Side Effects Of Withdrawing Vagifem?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. It is not clear from your query, as to why Vagifem was prescribed for you. You had your hysterectomy but the ovaries were left behind. So hormone replacement therapy is needed only if you are definitely menopausal as verified by age and/or blood test for Serum FSH level, which if high indicate ovarian function failure or menopause in other words. Vagifem releases hormones locally in vagina and is more beneficial if deficiency of female hormone - oestrogen has caused soreness, thinning and dryness of vagina and lower urine passage giving rise to burning and stinging when passing urine and other such symptoms. It should be started with lowest possible dose of 10 mg. It is known to produce the type of symptoms that you have reported i.e.sickness, headaches, bloatedness, fluid retention leading to weight gain. It might be worth reviewing your symptoms and dose of Vagifem with the prescribing doctor. Menopausal symptoms can be alleviated to a large extent by diet and lifestyle changes for which specific advice can be available. There are some supplements that you could take in consultation with a nutritionist or functional medicine doctor. These contain natural phytoestrogens which when given as dietary supplements can gently give relief from such symptoms. There are Ayurvedic remedies as well, however make sure you check on the health professionals credentials and experience or use word of mouth recommendations when seeking advice on such matters. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.