Swedish Vagifem

April 20, 2022 9:06 PM

I just read in the comments to an article on menopause that in Sweden you can buy estradiol tablets (like Vagifem, the little vaginally inserted estrogen tablets) over the counter for $2 each. As someone who pays closer to $25 each I find this infuriating and want some. How might I get someone to buy them there and mail them to me?
posted by HotToddy to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

It seems that there are plenty of pharmacies that offer estradiol tablets online with a valid US prescription. I can't vouch for any of them, but here are a few.
posted by mezzanayne at 10:46 PM on April 20, 2022

While you wait for a Swedish connection, you might get on the in-stock notification lists for Vagifem (10 mcg, 25 mcg) and/or other estradiol products at All Day Chemist.
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:55 PM on April 20, 2022 [2 favorites]

Also, check out Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Vancouver (BC): Vagifem (from Canada, UK, or Turkey*) for around $5 per tablet; you would need a prescription for this order, and they are experiencing some shipping delays.

*"Overseas has the highest percentage savings, however takes 3-4 weeks for delivery. That is the fastest possible from UK, Australia, New Zealand, India or Turkey. Canadian shipments are received much quicker!"
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:27 AM on April 21, 2022

Best answer: I live in Sweden. That you can buy these over the counter is news to me. If true, I am absolutely willing to buy and ship pills to you. Just MeMail me.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:35 AM on April 21, 2022 [10 favorites]

Cost Plus has a page of their estradiol prices here. I don't see that brand name listed, but there is one tablet and one blister pack there, both with prices under $25 a pill.
posted by soelo at 5:51 AM on April 21, 2022

Best answer: Yes, you can buy Vagifem in Sweden for 19 SEK (1.99 USD) each. A pack of 18 (10 µg) is 342 SEK.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 12:29 AM on April 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

If buying with no prescription is part of the appeal, there are various online pharmacies that will ship estrogen to the US without a prescription. This is a legal gray area, but estrogen is not a controlled substance, and the collective experience of the trans community is that you won't wind up in court for receiving it in the mail. (You might have it confiscated before it gets to you, though.)
posted by nebulawindphone at 6:34 AM on April 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

Another vote for CostPlusDrugs. Their generic 10mcg vaginal tablets cost $29USD for a pack of 30 (even less for 60/90), and you don't need to worry about international payments or shipping conditions.
posted by givennamesurname at 1:20 PM on April 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Omg soundsofsuburbia, thank you! I spent FOREVER online trying to unravel this mystery. Bella Donna, I will MeMail you!

Thanks also to everyone else--I am after brand name Vagifem as I have found the generic to be not as effective.
posted by HotToddy at 4:11 PM on April 22, 2022

In Finland you can buy a pack of 18 over the counter for 30 euros or so but the 36 pack is by prescription.
posted by infini at 5:10 AM on February 4, 2023