What is Vagifem-10?
Vagifem 10 is a medication that contains the hormone estrogen (estradiol).
It’s used as a treatment for the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, which is caused by low levels of estrogen in the body.
The Vagifem dosage recommended for you, will depend on what your healthcare practitioner believes is best for you, based on your current health and medical history.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Vagifem 10, please review the product monograph.
How does Vagifem-10 work?
Vagifem 10 contains estrogen (estradiol), which is a natural hormone produced by women.
However, throughout the menopausal transition, the ovaries will slow and then stop production of estrogen.
In these cases, Vagifem 10 can be used to replace this missing estrogen and help reduce dryness or vaginal pain during the menopause transition.
What is Vagifem-10 used to treat?
Vagifem 10 is indicated for use as a treatment to help treat the symptoms of vaginal atrophy due to low estrogen. It’s also used to reduce certain menopause symptoms, in people that are either perimenopausal or menopausal.
It does this by replacing estrogen that is missing from the body, due to the natural changes that occur during the menopausal transition and life stage.
How do you take Vagifem-10?
Each 10mcg dose of Vagifem 10 comes preloaded into the applicator for use.
Vagifem vaginal estrogen tablets are designed to be used as vaginal inserts, which means that they need to be inserted into the vagina to work.
If you have any questions about how to use the applicator, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix.
They’ll be able to give you any additional direction you need to comfortably and effectively use your Vagifem vaginal pills.
How long does Vagifem-10 last after you take it?
What are the common side effects of Vagifem-10?
Many people that use Vagifem 10 won’t experience any side effects from use.
However, it is possible that you could experience:
- Breast edema
- Breast enlargement
- Breast pain or pain tenderness
- Peripheral edema (swelling of arms or legs)
- Genital infection with a fungus or vaginal inflammation
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Feeling tired
- Abdominal pain (stomach)
- Distension or discomfort
- Vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort
- Back pain
- Weight gain
- Acne, rash, or itchy skin
- Muscle spasms
- Pain in extremities
- Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Heart palpitation
- Urinary tract infection
- Allergic reaction
If any of these side effects become severe, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner right away. They may want to suggest an alternative menopause treatment that could work better for you.
Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) with Vagifem 10 and estrogen-therapy can increase the risk of other conditions that you should know about. MHT is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and has been shown to prevent bone loss.
In menopausal women who start appropriately-dosed MHT prior to age 60 OR within 10 years of their last period, the health benefits outweigh the risks.
Risks of MHT are considered very rare (~1 case per 1000 to 10,000 women on MHT per year) and may include:
- risks of stroke or blood clots in legs or lungs with oral estrogen (much lower risk with estrogen gel or patch)
- risks of dementia in women older than 65 years,
- risk of breast cancer (less than ~1 case per 1000 women on MHT per year)
These conditions are all rare, but they highlight the importance of having a full discussion with your healthcare practitioner; especially if you’re experiencing moderate to severe side effects.
Individualization is key, and your MHT treatment plan should be reassessed (at least) once a year to monitor your health, as well as ensure that you are on the correct dosage and formulation. Your practitioner can help you find balance between treating your symptoms safely, and avoiding increased risks
Who shouldn't take Vagifem-10?
You shouldn’t use Vagifem 10 if:
- You have a thicker than normal uterus lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
- You have or may have estrogen-dependent cancers
- You have, have had, or have reason to believe you might have breast cancer
- You’re experiencing unusual or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- You’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- You have blood clotting problems (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, thrombophlebitis)
- You have a blood pigment disease (porphyria)
- You have or have had liver issues, including blood tests showing your liver is not working properly
- You’ve had a heart attack, stroke, blockage, or narrowing of the arteries of the heart (coronary heart disease)
- You have eye problems caused by low blood flow to the eye
- You’re allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients in Vagifem 10 or the container
In addition to these concerns, you should be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner before starting Vagifem 10 if you:
- Have a history of drug allergies or intolerances
- Have a history of breast disease, breast lumps and/or breast biopsies
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have or have had uterus problems, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, a history of endometrial hyperplasia, or a hysterectomy
- Have a history of liver problems, jaundice, or itching
- Have a history of migraines
- Have high calcium in your blood, as a result of kidney disease or cancer
- Have or have had high blood pressure
- Have symptoms of a blood blockage to the brain (i.e., headaches, trouble speaking, paralysis, loss of consciousness)
- Have systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease)
- Have a history of high cholesterol or high levels of other fats in the blood
- Have or have had kidney disease
- Have or have had asthma
- Have or have had epilepsy
- Have diabetes
- Have otosclerosis (an ear problem)
- Think you have a vaginal infection
- Smoke
These other factors could increase your risks of experiencing negative or severe side effects. However, your healthcare practitioner may be able to suggest alternative menopause medications, which will work better for you based on your health and medical history.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines. The following may interact with Vagifem® 10:
- Medicines that impact liver enzymes
- Phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, used to treat epilepsy and seizures
- Ritonavir and nelfinavir, used to treat HIV/AIDS
- Anti-infective medicines such as rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz
- St. John’s Wort, used to treat depression
Further reading
