Vagifem and Headaches: What Users Say

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Worst 'medication' I've ever had. Horrific headache, couldn't even get up out of bed safely the day after one and only application, extreme nausea and dizziness, next few days spotting, vaginal pain, burning for the next two weeks until I took some acid regulators. Subsequently have been sleepless, extremely low on energy, cystitis, cold sore - basically everything saying the body's taken a beating. One pessary. Still battling it four weeks later. Never again."

• Gal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I am in my late 60s and for the past few years have suffered at least 6-7 urinary tract infections a year. The urologist suggested using Vagifem as directed and apart from headaches and nausea for the first few days, I have not had any problems. My urinary tract infections have dropped significantly to 1-2 a year. I now only use it once a week and find this sufficient for keeping everything comfortable. I live in the UK, so my prescriptions are free. I will continue using it for as long as my general practitioner is happy to prescribe it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 6, 2012

For Atrophic Vaginitis "At first I didn't have any side effects, but the longer I have taken this medication, I have been experiencing headaches. I never used to get headaches before, and I have had bloating in my abdominal area."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2012

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Vagifem greatly helps me with my atrophic vaginitis. I was having extreme burning and pain. I only wish I did not have to take this the rest of my life like my doctor advised me. The medication sometimes gives me a slight headache."

• Sus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 26, 2023

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Vagifem for atrophic vaginitis for 8 years. I experienced hair loss, weight gain, breathlessness, painful headaches, and extreme shoulder pain resulting in limited mobility in my arms. I have also developed an abnormal heart rate resulting in atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure. My doctor advised me to stop using it. On stopping, all of the above symptoms disappeared. I think this medication is highly toxic for some women and should be monitored more closely by your doctor."

• old...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2014

"This medicine helped my dryness greatly, and I can once again enjoy great sexual relations. However, being a migraine sufferer to begin with, this medicine has really magnified my headaches and the number I get each month. I would love to continue using it for the effectiveness, but can't be nonfunctional due to the number and severity of my migraines."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 65 years old, and my last period was 12 years ago. I never had any real issues with menopause, one of the very lucky ones, I realize. I was prescribed Vagifem 2.5 months ago. I did the prescribed one tab daily for two weeks, then one tab twice a week. It was prescribed to address a prolapse from the rectal side of my vagina. I was hesitant because of the amount of breast cancer on my dad's side of the family (daughters of his brothers). I was also warned about breast density on the report of my last mammogram. The doctor and intern basically blew off my concerns, saying it was a very mild medication. So, since then: I have this awful yellow discharge, which I never had before; I am gaining weight and am very bloated; I now wake up at 3 a.m. with massive headaches and a pounding heart; I cry easily now. None of those things bothered me before. I've been using 5 mg melatonin for sleep most nights and always had really good sleeps until I took this stuff. I am taking myself off of this."

• Mar...
• December 9, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Have been using Vagifem pessaries for 12 days. Experienced headaches initially, but these seem to have disappeared. I now have severe lower back pain, like period pain, which I haven’t had since my periods stopped 6 years ago. The pain is so severe I cannot bend down or lower my body. I also seem to have flu-like symptoms and am incredibly thirsty. I bought this product as I cannot have sex without great discomfort and wanted to try it out. I have informed my GP, as I wanted to be prescribed these pessaries if the outcome was good. On the plus side, my vagina is plumper and becoming moist, so lubrication is a lot better, but unfortunately, the lower back pain is intolerable. I think I may be extremely sensitive to these pessaries even though they are a low dose, 10 mcg. I will no longer continue using Vagifem as I feel very debilitated. I wish there were some kind of alternative, one that doesn’t cause severe lower back and period pain."

• Von...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I started Vagifem 10 mg 7 days ago for pain and dryness down below. It has not helped, in fact, it’s made it worse: painful back and stomach, sore head. I spoke to my GP about the issues I was having and was told it can’t cause backache, etc. I’m not convinced after reading some of the reviews here, so I am not taking it anymore to see if it stops. If it is the cause of this, it’s a horrible drug. I will come back with an update. Take care, everyone."

• MBC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 12, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been using Vagifem off and on for over 20 years. I suffer from severe vaginal atrophy, pain, burning, itching, constant discomfort. Sex is impossible. I can only use it when things get really bad due to previous breast cancer. But if I could, I'd be on it all the time. I sometimes get headaches from it, but it's well worth it to me."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 26, 2023

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I cannot believe this stuff. It gave me an incredible sex drive at age 66. On the downside, I have persistent headaches, sweating, and insomnia."