Vagifem

[Guest Posts]

I have been using Vagifem pessaries twice a week for several years - are these still deemed safe to use long term?
Thank you

[Mr Peter Greenhouse]

Vagifem (natural human estrogen) vaginal pessaries are safe for life-long use. The total amount of estrogen absorbed into the body over one year of twice weekly use is approx 1.4mg - which is less than that produced by most people's peripheral body fat in one week.
Also the "standard dose" of Vagifem (twice weekly after an initial two weeks of nightly use) is insufficient for a significant proportion of women, many of whom will need to take it every other night or nightly to achieve satisfactory lubrication and prevention of painful sex. This has been more obvious over the last 10 years since the manufacturers reduced the dose in each pessary from 25mcg to 10mcg. A very small number of women can only manage by taking two pessaries per night.
The short answer is that whatever dose works is safe, with very little side effects, except in women who have previously been diagnosed with endometriosis - here, small amounts of absorption into the very nearby vaginal tissues might trigger deeper pelvic pain & deep pain with sex. If this - or bleeding or breast tenderness - occurs, the situation should be reviewed by your doctor.
See Vagifem question/answer in: https://drsusanloveresearch.org/breast- ... anagement/