WHAT ARE GINA VAGINAL TABLETS?
Gina vaginal tablets are a form of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The vaginal tablets each contains 10mcg of estradiol which is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring female sex hormone, oestrogen.
Gina vaginal tablets are used to treat the common symptom of menopause called vaginal atrophy which causes symptoms such as vaginal dryness, irritation and soreness. Gina acts to replace the oestrogen that is lost after menopause, which in turn helps treat the vaginal symptoms.
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. You are considered to be in menopause when you have not had a period for the last 12 months.
The average age of menopause is 51 years, however it may occur earlier in some individuals naturally. Other reasons for early menopause may include genetics, having your ovaries or the uterus (hysterectomy) removed or undergoing chemotherapy.
Symptoms of menopause changes in mood, hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, headache, weight gain, vaginal dryness which can lead to pain during sex and a reduced sex drive (libido). Symptoms can range from mild to severe in different individuals and may start years before your periods stop and continue for years afterwards. Menopause therefore has the potential to majorly affect quality of life for an individual.
HOW DO GINA VAGINAL TABLETS WORK?
Gina is a local form of low-dose HRT. They are vaginal tablets (pessaries) which are administered via an applicator into the vagina, where the oestrogen is gradually released into the surrounding vaginal tissue. An increase in oestrogen will help ease post-menopausal vaginal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, irritation and discomfort.
HOW DO I USE GINA VAGINAL TABLETS?
Gina tablets are normally used at higher initial dose for a few weeks before being reduce to a maintenance dose.
Initial dose: Use one vaginal tablet each day for the first 2 weeks of treatment
Maintenance Dose: Use one vaginal tablet twice a week. Leave 3 or 4 days between each dose.
Gina can be used at any time of the day, but you should try and use it at the same time for each application.
Important: Gina is a tablet for vaginal use only and should never be taken by mouth.
Each tablet comes pre-loaded onto a single use intravaginal applicator which can be used to deliver the tablet into the vagina. Follow the below instructions for application:
1) Wash your hands and get into a relaxed, comfortable position, which could be standing or lying down.
2) Tear open one of the blister packs, remove the applicator, and separate the plastic wrapper. If you notice that the tablet has come out of the applicator but has not yet fallen out of the plastic wrapper, carefully place it back into the applicator’s end, ready for insertion. When handling the tablet, keep your hands clean and dry.
3) Hold the applicator so that the applicator plunger can be pressed with the finger of one hand. If the tablet falls out of the end of the applicator before insertion, discard the tablet and applicator and start again.
4) Gently, insert the applicator into your vagina (either lying down or standing up). You should aim to insert about half of the applicator, but only as far as you feel comfortable – don’t force it.
5) Gently press the plunger of the applicator until you hear a click, which indicates that the tablet has been released. The tablet will stick to the vaginal wall so you do not have to worry about it falling out upon standing or walking.
6) You can then remove the applicator gently and dispose of it as well as the plastic wrapper in the bin.
Using intravaginal applicators can sometimes cause minor injury in your vagina, especially if inserted or removed without care or if your vaginal atrophy (thinning) is severe. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any difficulties with using the vaginal applicator. Sometimes, if vaginal applicators are not suitable for the patient, an alternative form of HRT may need to be considered.
