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Monistat 3 and Itching: What Users Say

Itching: mentioned by 381 users (55.0%)

Based on user experiences from 693 Monistat 3 reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

burning 70.1%
itching 55.0%
pain 18.3%
discomfort 6.5%
irritation 3.6%
swelling 3.3%
stinging 2.3%
allergic reaction 1.2%
cramps 1.2%
tingling 1.2%

Reviews for Monistat 3

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Anonymous
  • January 12, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "It is 1:19 am and I just hit hour two of having this stuff in my who-ha. And guess what I just did? WENT IN THE BATHTUB TO RINSE THIS STUFF OUT!! I have had surgeries and gotten tattoos and been kicked by a horse. But guess what is more painful and torturing than all of that combined? Monistat. I don’t know if this will help and I don’t think I will even attempt night 2 or 3. It says 'May cause slight itching and burning' when really it should say 'imagine fire ants crawling up your vajayjay and building a colony'."

1 / 10
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292 Report
  • Run...
  • February 12, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "DON’T use this awful vaginal cream. Here’s what will happen: You’ll enter the bathroom so hopeful to get relief for this mild itching and burning. Insert the handy, prefilled application, apply the cream they so thoughtfully included for external discomfort, feel like you’re in control of this infection and your life for about a minute, and then think you’re having an allergic reaction. You’ll panic because this sucker burns like the heat of a thousand suns and prickles like a tiny cactus has been shoved up your vagina. The fear will set in, which probably makes the burning worse. And then the itching comes. Oh the itching! Ten times worse than the actual infection. By now your hands are shaking a little from the pain and panic, which makes it hard to type “Monistat 3 Severe Burning” into a search bar, which will land you on this happy page. Don’t be a hero, girl. Just hop in the shower and rinse off as much as you can. You can buy the 7 Day tomorrow and start over."

1 / 10
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219 Report
  • Sus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 19, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Just wanted to share. So I'm on day one of Monistat 3, just inserted about 40 minutes ago. I just want to say, it right away started burning and itching so bad, I went crazy pacing the floor, back onto the bed and back and forth. I tried so hard to stay lying down so it could do its job. I was just now finally able to lie down and sit still. I wanted to put something inside me to itch it or numb it. I thought maybe ice, then thought yikes, no. I wanted so bad to rip my own vagina off, lol. But now it's eased off. I've figured out, I think it depends on how bad your infection is, every woman is different. Ever heard the saying no pain, no gain? Well, I think it burns and itches more when inserted because it's eating away at the yeast infection and it's doing its job. I hope I'm right. I'll be back to let you, ladies, know. I hope this helps you, ladies, and I hope I get better after all that. LOL, take care all and God bless ❤️"

3 / 10
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187 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • KJ9...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 26, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "WHY DID I NOT READ THESE COMMENTS FIRST?! OMG!! Literally the ONLY thing keeping me sane are these comments! I had to literally GET out of bed. It itches and burns SO BAD! I would rather have dealt with the Y.I.!!! This stuff is HORRIBLE! RUN! GO GET A PRESCRIPTION! DO NOT USE THIS MESS! I just want to throw my vagina out!"

1 / 10
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156 Report
  • Kan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 14, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "So I’m writing this on night two of the treatment. This is my first ever yeast infection so I didn’t know what to expect. This yeast infection is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I thought my vagina was just going to fall off and run away to a dumpster. I feel so disgusting. BUT! On night one I wasn’t in tears thinking this can’t be just a yeast infection, that I must have something horribly worse (I don’t), but I was so scared. I went to the store at midnight to go get this medicine. I took it immediately when I got home, falling asleep was difficult. It burned, it itched, it swelled. But I finally fell asleep, and when I woke up in the morning, it felt 10 times better than the night before. So, if you can get past the burning and itching after applying the medication, it will get better. It’s a process!"

8 / 10
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135 Report

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  • Nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 25, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I am currently laying like a gymnast with my legs open, hoping the fan will help cool the raging inferno inside my vagina. Five minutes of ice-cold water with the shower hose helped numb it, temporarily. I have never had pain like this before down there, and I gave birth twice! I had a very mild YI and decided to go with the Monistat 3 to treat it. Never again! Instantly the burning and itching were 100 times worse. I only made it five minutes before I started trying to clean it out. I didn't realize they changed the main ingredient to lava!!"

1 / 10
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  • lin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 11, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I give it 4/10 because although it’s an EXTREMELY unpleasant medicine, it does work. Even though it has always worked for me, it itches and burns like you absolutely wouldn’t believe. I literally have to use it like 3 hours before bedtime and take Benadryl to be able to sleep. The first few hours after you put it in are a nightmare (literally feels like ants crawling in and out of you and biting), and then it gets a little better. The more irritated I already am, the worse it tends to be for me. HOWEVER, I did discover that the Publix brand version of this medicine (the 3-day suppositories) doesn’t do that to me at all! I’ve had 0 itching or burning with this one (and have used it several times). It’s also only $10 whereas the Monistat brand is a little more. I do wonder if I may just be allergic to something in Monistat, but either way, I always just get the Publix brand now."

4 / 10
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100 Report

More FAQ

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 27, 2013

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Burned like crazy within 5 mins of using the vaginal cream insert. The most pain I have ever experienced. Brought me to tears as I wanted to scream in pain. I will not be continuing with days 2 and 3. I will use a different product. They should put on the outside of the box in bold letters that it may cause severe burning and itching, not 'mild'. They couldn't pay me to go through that again."

1 / 10
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191 Report
  • MeN...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 19, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I have read through many comments. I have been using Monistat products for years. It takes three days. No matter which product you are using, for a yeast infection to start clearing up and 7 days for completion. So whether you are using a pill, egg, cream, garlic, oil, or oregano... three days. Upon insertion on the first day, you will get backlash fire pits of hell feeling. This is the medication attacking the yeast infection. It will burn, sting, throb, swell your lips, and itch 10 times more. Do your treatments at night. Wear a thin panty liner. Use the lotion 3 times a day. Be brave... lol come on, ladies."

8 / 10
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108 Report
  • EMI...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 8, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I was TERRIFIED of using Monistat after reading the comments, but fortunately I didn't have the horrible burning. I had more problems getting the suppository inside. After about 2 mins, it started itching, but I just used the cream on the outside, and all was good. I laid down and waited what seemed like forever for the burning to start, but it didn't. I felt a few tingles but no burning. Just try it for yourself, everybody is different."

8 / 10
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85 Report
  • Bee...
  • February 28, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I am on the third hour of my first night taking Monistat 3, and I’m ready to rip my lady parts out. The burning and itching intensified by 10,000 five minutes after inserting it and is VERY SLOWLY calming down, and it’s driving me insane! I wish I would have read the reviews first. Not recommended."

1 / 10
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78 Report
  • ZZZ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 19, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "First and second nights with Monistat 3 were pure torture. Intense burning. I literally couldn't sleep, that's how bad it was. I used the external cream and thought that was making things worse, my poor vag was hanging and swollen. I could barely walk. I decided to just stick with it. Sitting in a tub of hot water helped, which is weird relief to a burning vag. I only noticed relief when I washed up for bed. I guess the burn means it's working. After the second night, my swelling went down. I could walk without looking like a cowboy. The third night of treatment was the best night in comparison. There was mild burning, but I could get some sleep. I've completed the 3-day treatment. I still have a little itchiness and soreness. I will continue to use the cream on the outside 2 times a day until my itchiness goes away. Despite the lava journey, it seemed to work. They lose major stars for the pain. They need to get back in the lab and develop a gentler approach or at least provide numbing cream. Sheesh!"

4 / 10
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64 Report
  • Dan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 22, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Night one is very intense, burning and itching immediately, makes you want to crawl out of your skin. It lasted maybe 15-20 min, then it subsided. The next morning I felt better, all the symptoms slowed down. You must wear a panty liner throughout the day. Night 2 and 3 were much better!!! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. It works, but you must suffer a bit."

8 / 10
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64 Report
  • CBa...
  • February 17, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I’ve only ever used doctor-prescribed medication to get rid of a YI. I didn’t have time to go to the doctor, so I went to the drug store and got Monistat 3. I had no idea what to expect, but I inserted as directed. After a couple of minutes, the burning and itching were unbearable. I thought for sure something was wrong, so I got up and read the box. Some burning and itching can occur. It’s a nightmare. But it’s doing its job. Thank goodness for all these comments that let me know that I’m not alone. But I want my YI gone, so I will do this for the other two doses!!!"

2 / 10
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63 Report
  • Can...
  • November 18, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "The first night of using Monistat 3, I had severe burning and itching right after inserting for about an hour until I fell asleep. I woke up the next morning still feeling the symptoms of my yeast infection. I was hesitant to take it the second night, but I did, and I have to say, it went in comfortably and I had no discomforts the 2nd or 3rd night. If you experience the intense burning and itching, then that means the medicine is working. It may hurt, but it gets the job done. Also, try and keep in mind that typically happy users don’t take their time to go out of their way and review things, saying how great they are; but unhappy users will most definitely find the time to post their review if they hate the product. That’s something I always keep in mind when reading reviews. I wanted to come on and share my experience so people don’t get scared away by all the horrific reviews on here lol."

9 / 10
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76 Report
  • cir...
  • May 28, 2021

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I made a whole account on here to share some advice. I'm on day 1, and everyone's right, the itching's positively unbearable. But there are some things I did that helped the itching a LOT. Do not let any of this medicine out of your body. Or if it does, cold cloth, wipe it off immediately. Once this stuff gets on your outside bits, it's a whole new kind of suffering. The internal symptoms were so insignificant in comparison for me, I didn't even notice the internal itching and burning whatsoever until after I learned to basically put a tissue over the top of my vag like a sink stopper. Just wanted to share some advice that might keep someone from ripping their labia off. It's been 7 hours. I feel amazing. The initial itching is awful, I didn't have much burning myself. But after about 2 hours after applying it, I felt normal. Like I didn't have an infection at all. Definitely not excited for the next two days, but it's so worth it."

9 / 10
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43 Report
  • she...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 26, 2024

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "The first night I took this, I was fine. It itched, but I was super tired, so I fell right asleep. I am on the second night, and my goodness, I want to rip my vag out and let her air dry because my goodness this itches. It’s not too burny, it’s more itchy. It did help already, though, so I am going to power through. I wish my doctor had warned me that although it is relief EVENTUALLY, it is NOT instant relief. I wish you all the best, girls."

8 / 10
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6 Report
  • NUR...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 28, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Don't listen to all the bad reviews on this product, people obviously don't know how treatment for a fungal infection works. The worse the pain or itching after insertion or application of cream, the worse the infection. If it's really burning and itching, it just means you have a really bad infection and the medication is attacking it. Also, using the 7-day treatment may be better for really bad infections as it will not hurt as badly, it's more of a gradual treatment as opposed to the 1 or 3-day treatment."

7 / 10
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56 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 6, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Everyone is saying that they are experiencing this side effect of itching and burning when it clearly says that it is part of the process! Make sure you all read the box. It says that this is something that occurs! Just take the full 3 days and you should be fine! It’s the medicine working."

5 / 10
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69 Report
  • fla...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 22, 2023

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "First day was the same as all these reviews describe - HORRENDOUS and sinfully filled with fire in and around my vulva. We all scream together. Second day (today), there’s absolutely no pain/itchiness/soreness/side effects. I really do think that the initial pain is just the medicine WORKING and eating away at the fungus. The worse the spread, the more it hurts at first. Today I have nothing to complain about and I think we just need to stick it out for that first couple of hours of hellfire. It’s definitely working now, oof."

8 / 10
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19 Report
  • Ris...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 13, 2015

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "1st time YI. Bought Monistat 3 pre-filled cream. 1st dose burned and itched for about an hour. I thought my vagina was gonna die, lol. 2nd day was a little better, no burning but very itchy. 3rd day, no burn or itch. It's been 3 days since then, and I feel 100% better. Will definitely buy again. I recommend to anyone just sit through the pain. It's temporary."

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 24, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "So a lot of people I see have a lot of discomfort/burning, which is true. The medicine does cause a very intense burning and itching feeling, but it helps! The pain you get from it is most definitely a 0/10, but the end result is a 10/10. Make sure after taking the medicine you use a heating pad/blanket or cold compress. After about 1-2 minutes of cream insertion, it will burn! But for me, it’s over in about an hour."

9 / 10
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34 Report
  • Lex...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 10, 2020

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "2:38 AM and the itching and burning is the worst thing ever! I thought, 'I'll just use it and go to bed'...NO! This isn’t what I signed up for! I can’t stop squealing around! I don’t wanna do this anymore!"

1 / 10
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32 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 11, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I have never written a review in my life! I bet whoever is reading this is in the same position we are all put in, looking to see if the fire-burning sensation in your vagina after using this is normal. Girl, join the club. I’ve had yeast infections before, I usually popped an Azo Yeast Plus, and that would relieve the symptoms, but this time I wanted to try something new. Immediately after inserting, I instantly regretted it. I was squirming and flinching as I felt shocks run up my vagina. After an hour of insane burning, itching, and tears, it’s safe to say my vagina hates me!!! Nothing helps! Not ice, not a shower, not a compress! The only thing that helps is reading all these reviews, knowing I’m not alone. Who invented this product? Can I sue? I want to throw my whole vagina away >:("

1 / 10
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34 Report
  • 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!"

10 / 10
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29 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.