Imvaggis Estriol Pessary

Imvaggis is a form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and is a small pessary that is inserted into the vagina and is used to treat symptoms relating to vaginal dryness. This is caused by a decrease in the female hormone oestrogen in the body, which occurs when women enter perimenopause and menopause. Imvaggis is commonly used to treat vaginal atrophy.

Imvaggis works by replacing the depleted oestrogen in the body in order to increase lubrication back to the areas of the vagina that are lacking in elasticity. The pessary releases oestrogen directly into the area that needs it most. This increase in oestrogen should start to lubricate the vagina so that it is less painful.

Imvaggis contains estriol, which is one of three oestrogen hormones. The hormone helps regulate the menstrual cycle as well as affects the urinary tract, reproductive tract and much more. Oestrogen helps keep the vagina lubricated, so when there is a lack of oestrogen created naturally by the body, the vagina can become sore and dry.

Always follow your GP or pharmacist’s instructions when using this medication. If you are unsure of anything, please consult your prescriber.

The usual recommended dosage on how to use Imvaggis is as follows:

During the initial 3 weeks of treatment, administer one pessary daily, equivalent to 0.03 mg estriol.

A maintenance dose of one pessary twice a week is advised.

Your prescriber will aim to issue the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to alleviate your symptoms. If you feel the dose is too potent or insufficient, discuss it with your prescriber.

Method of administration:

The pessary should be inserted deeply into the vagina, preferably in the evening before you go to sleep. To administer a pessary, tear the top foil until the pessary can be easily removed.

These instructions are only general instructions, as your GP or pharmacist may give you unique instructions for use.

Store Imvaggis Estriol Pessary out of sight and reach of children. Do not refrigerate Imvaggis Estriol Pessary.

Do not use Imvaggis Estriol Pessary after the expiration date printed on the carton and blister foil. The expiration date refers to the last day of that month. Properly dispose of unused medication through a pharmacy or GP surgery and do not flush it down the toilet or throw it away in the bin.

Ask your pharmacist about the safe disposal of unused medication. Proper disposal helps protect the environment.

Imvaggis Estriol Pessary is prescribed to women who are going through perimenopause or menopause. It works to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms associated with these medical processes, such as vaginal dryness. During Menopause women produce less oestrogen, which is the female sex hormone that helps keep the vaginal lubricated.

All medications can cause side effects, including Imvaggis Estriol Pessary. Although most women will be able to tolerate the medication well, there are known side effects of the medicine Estriol.

Common side effects include:

• Burning
• Itching
• Discomfort during urination

Uncommon side effects include:

• Vaginal discharge
• Anorectal discomfort

There are more serious health conditions that can occur as a result of taking HRT like Imvaggis Estriol Pessary. See the patient information leaflet or speak to your prescriber about the possible side effects of the medication you’re on.

Your symptoms of vaginal dryness should start to reduce within three months of using Imvaggis Estriol Pessary. If you do not see any changes to your symptoms, you should inform your prescriber as soon as possible as they may want to make changes to your dosage or even the medication you have been prescribed.

Both Imvaggis and Vagifem contain the same medicine within them, which is called Estriol, the name given to the medicine that contains the female sex hormone oestrogen. While they both contain the same medication, they are different brand names as they are produced by different manufacturers, so they can differ in strength.

You can order Imvaggis Estriol Pessary online through e-Surgery. You can order treatments for vaginal dryness by completing a short consultation, and one of our pharmacy team will be ready to issue you the treatment on the other end if they deem it suitable. If you are unsure of your symptoms, you can use our ‘ask-a-pharmacist‘ service completely for free.

Yes, medication sold by e-Surgery will require a prescription issued to you by one of our pharmacists. You will need to follow the short consultation process once you have chosen the medication you require. Our clinicians will be ready to assess your situation and issue you the medication they deem most suitable for your symptoms.

When you order Imvaggis Estriol Pessary, your order will be packed in our pharmacy in our fully recyclable packaging and sent via Royal Mail delivery to the address of your choice. You can choose between 24, 48 and tracked delivery options so if you need the medication urgently, it can be with you in no time.

Imvaggis Estriol Pessary primarily comes in one standard strength – 0.03mg of estriol. This low dose delivery direct to the vaginal area makes it an effective option for treating symptoms of declining oestrogen.

No, you should not use a Imvaggis Pessary if you currently have a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis, as Oestrogen can worsen some gynaecological infections. See your GP for infection treatment first before considering if an estriol pessary might help your symptoms.

There is no fixed duration for how long to use the 0.03mg Imvaggis Estriol Pessary. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose and advise how long to continue based on evaluating your individual response and symptoms.

Yes, women with diabetes can generally use Imvaggis Estriol Pessary safely based on the doctor’s approval. However, adjustments may be required.

Imvaggis Estriol Pessary combats vaginal atrophy and dryness only. It does not treat or prevent urine infections. If you suspect a urine infection, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

There are no known interactions between consuming alcohol and using Imvaggis Estriol Pessary. However, alcohol can worsen some menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. It’s best to discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor or prescriber.

The steps you should take if you forget to use Imvaggis depends on where you are in your treatment.

If you are using Imvaggis daily within the first three weeks of treatment:

• If you do not realize the missed administration before the next day, you should skip the missed dose. In that case you should continue with the usual dosing schedule.

If you are using Imvaggis twice weekly:

• If you have forgotten to administer Imvaggis at a scheduled date, make up for the missed dose as soon as possible.

It is important to properly dispose of Imvaggis Estriol Pessary packaging or any remaining unused pessaries correctly. Do not simply dispose of them via wastewater or household waste. The best method is to return any expired or leftover Imvaggis pessaries to your local pharmacy who will be able to dispose of them correctly. These measures help protect the environment.