Monistat 3 and Irritation: What Users Say

• Nik...
• February 10, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant and I developed a yeast infection after taking antibiotics. My ob/gyn said to take Monistat 3 because the pill wasn't recommended during pregnancy. I completed day one of this product and so far I have no complaints. I will share a tip that really helped me in the past and now: before using the product, put a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your vaginal area (not inside). This acts as a skin protectant from the Monistat and helps soothe the irritation from the yeast infection. The burning was so minimal, I barely noticed it. I would recommend this product as a quick and affordable treatment for yeast infections."

• Fir...
• August 27, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "100% recommend! I was so itchy I wanted to scratch my vajayjay with a Brillo pad, it was horrible! Night 1: no burning or extra itch in sight. I have to say the stuff does leak out (expected), so wear a pantyliner. Night 2: feeling so much better than yesterday! Minimal itching compared to days before. Night 3: feeling like myself and so happy my friend got me this! Just a little irritated from scratching a few days before, but itching is pretty much gone! Yeeees!"

• Luc...
• May 19, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "This was my first time ever getting a yeast infection. My symptoms included itching, irritation/swelling, cottage cheese-like discharge. I purchased Monistat 3 from the pharmacy. The first night using it, I honestly had no problems like what most of the reviews described. I still itched a little on the outer part of my vagina where I applied the cream, but after 2-3 minutes it subsided. The suppository did not burn or irritate the inside of my vagina. The next morning, I noticed a lot of clumpy discharge coming out. The second day I had no more of that discharge, still minor irritation and itching. On the 3rd day, no symptoms. Now, two days after taking the medicine, my vagina feels normal, and no symptoms have come back. Luckily, I had a positive experience, I would use this again if need be."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2017

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "How has this not been recalled? The worst experience ever. I have used similar products in the past with no problems. This caused extreme burning and pain within minutes and did not improve until evening the next day. Just in time for day two dose. It was worse than the day before. I am afraid to try a day dose 3. No way this is minor irritation. DO NOT USE THIS!!"

• Was...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Didn't take the medicine for 2 or 3 days after reading the reviews, kept putting it off. Did it last night, woke up, the itching went down at least 90%, swelling is down 50%. I was scared of the intense itching and burning people said they got from taking this. I counted down the first hour, waited, nothing ever burned or intensified. I found laying down irritated me more, so I sat up in my bed. It helped keep the medicine in too. Seems when the cream touches your vulva, that's when it becomes irritated the most. If it came out, I wiped it off. Quickly found that religiously applying organic refined coconut oil eased the itch from the very beginning. Seems to be very effective after one day. Some people put coconut oil on a tampon, I just applied inside and out. Also, I used a tiny bit of hydrocortisone. I didn't have itch relief cream with my Monistat 3, so the next day I tried Vagisil medicated anti-itch wipes, and those burned worse for me."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "So, a friend referred me to Monistat 3 cream. This is my second day, and I want to pull my hair out from the pain and irritation. OMG, I wish I had read the reviews first. I took it at 9, it’s almost 11, and I’m still in pain. I’m trying to stick it out, hopeful that it works, but now I need something for pain."

• 2Co...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Tried the three-day prefilled applications, and boy, was this stuff awful!! In the past, it was nothing like it is now. The burning started immediately and lasted well over 30 minutes. At first, I thought something seriously was wrong with me, but then I remembered I was nowhere close to the pain before starting it. The company definitely changed something, and there must have been a mad scientist in the lab when they changed it. It's been several days after the fact, and there's an irritation that wasn't there prior to using this stuff. It's the pill from now on!!"

• Tin...
• February 23, 2022

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I've felt some slight itchiness, external pain, and irritation for a couple of days. I've resisted scratching it. I just had a course of amoxicillin, and that got rid of healthy vaginal bacteria, which can cause yeast infections. I took my first applicator of 3-day Monistat last night and had no issues inserting it. I laid down immediately and could definitely feel something going on down there, but no pain; it was just like an intense tingling. I fell asleep for a couple of hours and woke up (due to my insomnia). It has now been almost 6 hours, and it's still tingling, but actually feels refreshing. I combed the internet obsessively right before I took it, and an overwhelming number of women reported horribly unbearable burning. I seem to be the only one who actually likes the feeling. It feels tingly and cool. Maybe my infection is not as bad as everyone else's. I know people are more inclined to write a review if they have a bad experience, so maybe that's why there are so few positive reviews."

• Kan...
• August 20, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "The first time I used this, it was the regular suppository. Burned like lava. I thought I was dying... But it worked! Currently on day 2 of the 3-day, but it's the pre-filled inserts, and the burn is far less painful. It really is only irritating on the inside - like burning pain. I hope these pre-filled work as well as the other ones did because I would hate to have to use those again... Too painful."

• kil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2024

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "It burns...welcome to the wonderful world of being a female. The leakage of the ovule/cream irritates the outside of your vagina. The tough pregnant woman said it above...put a very small amount of Vaseline or bag balm on the outside to protect your skin from the irritation and burning. To the person who 'dug it out'...you realize that made it worse, right?"

• Spi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2016

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Let me share. A few days ago I noticed slight irritation at the top of my vaginal opening. I didn't think too much of it as I had changed my cleaning habits and was sure I washed way too hard and too much. The next day it was itching. No discharge, no odor, but itching. I got some anti-itch cream and hoped for the best. Today comes, and it's not better, but now I have discharge, and that's when I knew. It was a yeast infection. Oh goody. I was already very depressed, and this just added to my sadness. Anywho, I went and grabbed Monistat 3. I've read all the reviews, and I was nervous, but hey, I figured no pain, no gain. I am currently lying in bed. It's been 8 minutes since insertion. I feel a tingle, but I also used the cortisone. No pain yet."

• ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Oh wow. I got Monistat 3, hoping to clear up the infection over the weekend. At first, I thought insertion had irritated my already irritated skin. Then I started to get scared. I looked up symptoms to see if I should go to minor emergency, and here I am. To the person who said, don’t be a hero, wash it out and get Monistat 7 tomorrow-thank you. A bath helped a little, but I have to suffer since I got the cream. I have used Monistat 7 and don’t remember this. Bad reviews here are overwhelmingly for 1- and 3-day treatments. Someone said this can mean your infection is bacterial, but I think most of us recognize a yeast infection. I’m 40 and have had 3 or 4. UTIs have different symptoms. I’m certain that I have a yeast infection, and I feel like I just stuffed my vagina full of peppers."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "First time having a yeast infection at 29. I was recommended Monistat. I didn't have any issues when it was first inserted. The next morning when it started to leak out was awful. I was miserable, the itching was unbearable. It took hours to subside. I did the insert the second night, again, no issues when first inserted. Irritation came after it fell out in the am. It didn't last as long on the second day. I decided to finish treatment. Slight irritation after inserted. Now it's 2:30 am, and I was woken up with intense itching and burning. I have to be up at 5 for work. Currently laying with an ice pack, hoping to get some relief and sleep."

• Soo...
• March 13, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Ladies, if it wasn’t for these funny and relatable reviews, I would not have been able to finish my third/last day of treatment. I decided to take Monistat after my doctor told me that it would be the most effective way to treat YI during pregnancy, however, I had no idea that it would send me and my vagina on a trip to the inferno! What’s worse is expecting it to not hurt at all and then getting hit almost immediately with the most intense amount of burning and irritation. I thought I didn’t have words to describe it until I stumbled upon these reviews. After laying in bed curled into a ball waiting for the pain to subside (which it didn’t for about half an hour), I started to look up reviews, and boy, I got so much comfort in reading others' similar experiences. Save yourself the $17, use Vagisal wipes if you can, and stay away from this product! Yes, it is effective in treating YI, but prepare yourself for the world of hurt it’s going to cause to your vagina."

• Anonymous
• May 13, 2017

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I usually use Canesten, which is clotrimazole, but for some reason bought the miconazole nitrate this time. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital to get them to get the cream out of me. It burned and itched so badly I've never felt anything so horrible in my life, and I've given birth 3 times. I ended up running a bath and trying to wash it out of me. I thought I was going to throw up. This is a horrible, horrible product. I read that using tampons will decrease the effectiveness of the medication because they absorb it, so I currently have a tampon in to try to help. I also took a Benadryl for the swelling and irritation from the external cream."

• VMa...
• October 18, 2016

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "So I used another generic brand from Rite Aid before, and it worked-no burning. But today, I wanted to be a little more fancy since I was feeling like crap anyway. I used Monistat 3 today. Used the cream earlier, and I will say it stings a bit. I don't know if it's because I was already irritated or if it was the cream, but it stung like hell. After about 10 minutes, it wore off. I was even more irritated and uncomfortable. I used the suppository about half an hour ago. A little sign of relief. Not as much itching. I think it's better to take the suppository at night just so the medicine can stay inside the vagina longer, and I believe I'll get better results when I use it at night before I fall asleep."

• Kwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2021

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "This is my third night using the Monistat 3 treatment, and honestly, I would rather have pills. The first night I used it, I had intense burning and irritation to where I felt like scratching to get relief. The second night I used it, I still had some irritation and burning, but nothing compared to night one. So I thought night 3 would be even better, boy, was I wrong. It feels just like the first night. I'm really hoping this stuff works."

• Apr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Inserted the suppository, no issues so far. Purchased for irritation, mild itching, and discharge. Used the external cream, and it felt as though someone opened a tube of fire ants and rubbed them all over my lady parts. It happens every time I try. First time trying in 4 years. I’m convinced there is something in the external cream I’m allergic to that’s not in the internal cream/suppository."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "You may be reading these comments because, like many of us, you were horrified by the burning and itching the medicine caused. If that is the case, I wanted to let you know that the one thing that helped me get to sleep was pressing a cold washcloth against the outside vulva area (NOT WIPING), then gently laying down and trying very, very hard not to move. Moving, wiping, and itching will make the pain and irritation even worse. Of course, try to get as much of the cream out if you can't bear it. I only suffered through one night/day of it, then, thankfully, I was able to get a Diflucan pill. If Monistat doesn't make your symptoms worse, then count your lucky stars!"

• OhT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "The box says, 'mild increase in vaginal burning, itching, or irritation may occur.' The person who wrote that is a master of understatement. I thought the reviews that refer to ants, suns, and curling irons were greatly exaggerated. Not so, grasshopper. Within a minute or two of use, the burning started. Within five minutes, the burning and itching were so bad that I almost couldn't stand it. Cold, wet washcloths and ice packs have been applied liberally; I'm an hour into 'treatment' and have just managed to stop crying. I pray that this ends before morning."

• MMW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2021

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Honestly, this BURNS. No joke. And it itches A LOT. But it does help. Looking at the ingredients, I expected it to burn, obviously, lol. It’s helped me feel sooo much better. It’s not really a pain. I feel it’s more like a really bad irritation, like 8/10 irritation, because the sting and the itching is like having poison ivy down there in the south side. It’s nothing I can’t handle, but I know there are more sensitive kitty cats out there, so just be careful! And be safe! Please, please read and look into everything BEFORE you put it in your body. Even lovers ;)"

• Mis...
• March 16, 2022

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I’m giving this a 5/10… simply because it is only day 1. I put the suppository in about an hour ago (11:40 PM). This yeast infection has had my bits itching for the past 2 days, nonstop, to the point where I had to get off work early because I could NOT stop itching. The skin all over my body was getting irritated, and I literally started crying. I'm a pharmacy tech, and my manager (the pharmacist) recommended MONISTAT 3. She allowed me to get off work early… thank God I only live 4 minutes away from my job because I barely made it home, it was itching so bad. But, as soon as I got home, I showered, inserted the suppository, put on some of the cream… and I’m already feeling so much better. The burning is more of a burning sensation. It actually feels pretty good."

• TFS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2025

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Had the same burning and irritating experience as everyone. The burning sensation is unbearable, I literally had to get in the shower and wash it out. I couldn't even sleep because the burning was so intense. Will never use again."

• Ano...
• April 24, 2025

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I’ve taken all 3 of the Monistats (1, 3, and 7 day). The one day is TORTURE!!!!!!! The 7 day does not hurt but I feel like I am treating this infection forever. I am on day 2 of the 3 day and I’m glad I chose it. 2 days ago I had some irritation which I thought was some razor burn/chafing after I went running. WRONG! The next day it hit me like a freight train and I could hardly sit or wear undies. I put the external cream on in the afternoon and went about my day. It definitely helped. Did the first egg at night and now it is morning and I feel a million times better. No terrible fire burn or itching with this one after the first use. I will definitely finish the course on this as 3 days is much more manageable than 7. I will use it again!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2017

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I purchased the 3-day prefilled applicators. Today is day 3, and I had ZERO burning or irritation from the cream and felt relief from the YI the morning after the first dose."