Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem)
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem)
cause?
As Vagifem® contains a very small amount of estrogen, the side effects are usually well tolerated.
Some of the common side effects include:
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Vaginal discharge or discomfort
If it is painful during the insertion of the applicator into the vagina, the applicator may be moistened with water or lubricated with a lubricating cream/jelly.
Rare but serious side effects include:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Sudden, new severe headaches
- A large rise in your blood pressure which may cause headaches, tiredness, dizziness.
- Dark urine or light-coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin. These may be signs of liver disease.
- Painful swelling and redness of the legs, sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing which could be signs of a blood clot.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately:
Before taking
Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem)
, what precautions must I follow?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
- You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots, migraine headaches, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus or cancer.
- You are going for surgery or will be on bed rest.
