Vagirux
Use Vagirux tablets to manage the symptoms of vaginal dryness, like itching and irritation.
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Vagirux tablets help to manage the symptoms of vaginal dryness, like itching and irritation. It contains the active ingredient estradiol, which is a type of oestrogen.
Vagirux is a brand name but the treatment is also available in the generic form known as estradiol vaginal tablets. The tablets should be applied inside the vagina only. For the first 2 weeks, you should use one vaginal tablet daily. Afterwards, you should use one vaginal tablet twice a week, leaving 3 to 4 days between applications.
About Vagirux
What are Vagirux tablets?
Vagirux tablets are part of a group of medicines known as HRT (hormone replacement therapy), used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Vagirux tablets contain the oestrogen hormone estradiol, which is used to treat menopause symptoms of vagina atrophy like vaginal dryness, itching and irritation.
Another brand known as Vagifem also contains the same active ingredient estradiol, and works in the same way as Vagirux tablets, to treat vaginal dryness.
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy or vaginal dryness, is one of the common symptoms experienced by women going through menopause.
The vagina environment is usually moist because the wall of the vagina regularly produces lubrication. This natural lubrication helps keep the vagina clean and prevents infections.
The natural oestrogen hormone in your body helps to maintain the lubrication in your vagina. As you go through menopause, the levels of this hormone reduces, causing several menopause symptoms, one of which is vaginal dryness.
You may be experiencing vaginal dryness if you have any of the following symptoms:
- soreness and itching around your vagina
- feeling pain or discomfort during sex
- vaginal bleeding
- frequent urine infections
- peeing more often than usual
There are also other causes of vaginal dryness apart from menopause, such as:
- having a surgery where your womb is removed (hysterectomy)
- smoking
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- taking certain medications like contraceptive pills and antidepressants
- having chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- certain medical conditions like diabetes
- using perfumed products in your vagina like douches and vaginal deodorants
- stress and depression
How does Vagirux work?
Vagirux tablets contain the active ingredient estradiol. Estradiol is a natural female oestrogen hormone produced by your ovaries, which helps to maintain regular lubrication inside your vagina.
As women approach menopause, their oestrogen hormone levels reduce causing some common symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness. When you use Vagirux tablets as prescribed, it replaces your oestrogen hormone levels, which helps to relieve the symptoms of vaginal dryness.
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Vagirux tablets should only be used inside the vagina. Each Vagirux pack should come with 24 tablets and one applicator. The applicator should be washed and reused up to 24 times (on the same person) when applying each vaginal tablet.
The patient information leaflet that comes with your Vagirux pack has instructions on how to use the applicator to insert the vaginal tablet inside your vagina. If you forget to use Vagirux tablets when you should, use it as soon as you remember. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Your doctor will usually start you on a low dose of one 10 microgram Vagirux tablet, to be used once daily for the first 2 weeks. After this time, you will then use one Vagirux tablet twice a week, leaving at least 3 days between each dose.
When using Vagirux tablets, you will need to keep your regular appointments with your doctor to check on your progress with using the treatment. You may also need to attend regular breast screening and cervical smear testing.
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HRT treatment may be available as:
- tablets (like Elleste Duet Conti or Vagifem)
- gels or creams (like Ovestin or Estriol)
- skin patches (like Evorel)
- pessaries (like Vagifem)
Vagirux tablets are a type of vaginal HRT used to manage the menopause symptoms of vaginal dryness. There are some simple steps you can take to manage or avoid the symptoms of vaginal dryness:
- Do not over clean or douche your vagina
- Use unperfumed soaps or washes in your vagina
- Avoid using fragrance wipes on your vagina
- Try to use water-based lubricants before sex
- Apply vaginal moisturisers for dryness inside your vagina to keep it moist
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Some common side effects of using Vagirux tablets are:
- stomach pain
- headaches
- vaginal discharge
- vaginal bleeding
Some uncommon/rare side effects of using Vagirux tablets are:
- high blood pressure
- increase in weight
- rash
- hot flushes
- diarrhoea
Speak to your doctor for advice if you experience any of these side effects.
The full list of known side effects and cautions you should be aware of when using Vagirux tablets are in the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.
Before starting to use Vagirux tablets, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including over the counter medications and herbal medicines.
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Vagirux tablets are a form of HRT used by women going through menopause. As it contains estradiol, a type of oestrogen hormone, it may not be suitable for some women because of its risks.
Check with a doctor before using Vagirux tablets if you have:
- migraines
- high cholesterol
- problems with your liver
- diabetes
- had blood clots or have a family history of blood clots
- problems with your heart or high blood pressure
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- a family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- asthma
- epilepsy
- fibroids in your womb
You should not use Vagirux tablets if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
You should not use Vagirux tablets if you are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients in Vagirux tablets.
Dr Kathryn Basford is a qualified GP who works as a GP in London, as well as with ZAVA. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London.
Meet our doctorsArticle created: 28 Sept 2021
Last reviewed: 28 Sept 2021
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ESTRADIOL NICE (Accessed 09 September 2021)
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Hormone replacement therapy types (September 2019) NHS (Accessed 09 September 2021)
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Oestrogen HRT (November 2018) Patient Info (Accessed 09 September 2021)
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Vagirux (November 2020) EMC (Accessed 09 September 2021)
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Vaginal dryness (November 2018) NHS (Accessed 09 September 2021)
GMC: 7074021
GMC: 6149061
GMC: 7085115
