Monistat 3 and Swelling: What Users Say

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2021

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Monistat saved my sanity and my girl parts! I went about 2 days trying to do home remedies, and nothing was working. I was so itchy, irritated, and ridiculously swollen. I told my friend, and she suggested Monistat for me. I put it in before bed, put the anti-itching cream that came with it, and within an hour, I felt so much relief, woke up the next morning feeling a lot better. Last night, I did the second dose, I felt a little bit of burning, but I fell asleep quickly and feel almost 100% better today. I’m so excited to do the last one tonight and hopefully will feel completely back to normal. Do not let the reviews scare you off! It works!"

• Siz...
• March 18, 2017

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "After being on antibiotics, I developed a YI. After being unable to find clotrimazole at any of my local drugstores, I bought the generic version of this with the purple cap. I've used this product before without issues... that was then. This time, shortly after inserting the cream, I felt intense vaginal burning. By intense, I mean it felt like a fire and fire ant bites. The burning was so intense I couldn't feel any itching. I resisted the urge to rinse it out and suffered all night with little sleep. The next day, my vagina felt sore and swollen, which was not how it felt from the YI, only after using this product. I did not use any further doses of this. Instead, I called my doctor and got the Diflucan pill. Spare yourself, use an alternative."

• Unf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "This is the worst experience I've ever had with this stuff, and I refuse to finish the last day of the 3-day pack. My hooha is so swollen I wouldn't be able to fit the insert inside even if I wanted to! And the burning is unbelievable! Last night, after inserting the 2nd application, I was in so much pain I had to sleep with an ice pack between my legs and seriously contemplated going to the ER. I will tell anyone who asks to run far, and I mean far away from this 'medication'. I can't walk and have to go to work and about my daily life like I'm normal, and all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry because this pain/burning is up there near childbirth."

• lad...
• June 17, 2017

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I recommend this product, it works! I'm experiencing my first YI, and I'm 18. You have to tolerate some burning, itching, and swelling, but it's all good. First night, I cried myself to sleep. The burning and itching made me want to rip my hair out! The second night wasn't so bad, the only burning I had was when the cream started dripping and coming out. I went to sleep just fine. I'm on the third night now, and no burning or itching! A little swelling on my vulva, but I'm glad it's over. I know that my yeast infection is gone! I recommend taking Benadryl a couple of minutes before you install the cream, though. Great results, though."

• Fly...
• February 9, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Do not use this product. I used it on a Tuesday for mild itching. It burned so bad I was convinced I had something other than a yeast infection. On Thursday, I made an emergency appointment with the ob/gyn and was tested for STDs. She thought I was joking until she saw how red my vagina was. I asked my partner over again, have you cheated? He thought I was joking, then became angry. I inserted it again Thursday after my appointment as I was itching. I had to rinse it out within 30 minutes and made the connection to Google it. I have read all 334 reviews. People went to the ER, the clinic, etc. All of my tests were negative and I was embarrassed. I had to show my partner and ob/gyn this thread so they would not think I was crazy. Two days out after the second use and I am still swollen and burning. Please do not use this."

• Fir...
• May 11, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I got what I thought was a yeast infection a few days ago. Used the first night and woke up feeling 100 times worse. I suffered through the day with ice and Vagisil. Second night, still burning/itching, I took the next dose. Woke up at 4 am on fire and slept with an ice pack on my vagina. Today I searched the Internet for whether this could be, as normal yeast infections don't feel like this. My labia was so swollen I couldn't even walk. I started taking baking soda sitz baths every 6 hours or so and felt much better. By evening, the swelling and burn/itch had gone down. I applied the 3rd night application, laid down for 20 minutes, felt my labia swelling up along with intense burning. I showered to try to get as much as I could out and rubbed coconut oil on my vulva. I have had some bloody discharge today, and now I know why, this stuff is literally setting your insides on fire. I will be calling tomorrow, and it will be the first time I have ever called a company to complain."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "M3 works, but every time I’ve had the unfortunate need for it, the itching and tenderness during treatment is almost as maddening as having the yeast infection alone. Day 1 - no burning, just severe itching (may need a straightjacket to keep from scratching). No itching in the morning, but external tenderness. Day 2 - same itching as day one. Same tenderness. Day 3 - intense itching for about 10 minutes, but then dies down. However, I feel raw down there. It hurts to wipe and burns to pee. Some swelling, but discharge during the day has ceased and itching during the day has died down considerably. Overall, the product works, but your vagina will hate you with the rage of a thousand infernos. Will buy again!"

• Yog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I have had a yeast infection for about 3-4 days before getting any kind of medication for it and can say that the skin on my vagina had started to peel from irritation and me scratching. I tried all the “natural healthy ways” at home to fix it, but it only burned more, got more swollen, or tingled. I got some Monistat and put it in, used the anti-itch cream, and I feel better. More frequent peeing, which I guess is my body helping the medicine out of my system. I’ve used Monistat for years since I was in high school - no problems."

• cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "This product was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I just did night 1 and have been sobbing in agony since 11 pm (it’s 2 am now). The burning, itching, inflammation, and swelling got 100% worse the moment I put the product in. I read so many reviews that say this means it is working, but why would it make you feel so much worse? I can’t sleep, move, or function with this pain. I had to get an ice pack down there to calm the swelling and burning, which only slightly helped. I’ve had YI before and figured I’d save time getting this, but I will never again use this product. Would’ve been more efficient and less painful just going to my doc. You’ve been warned."

• cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "This product was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I just did night 1 and have been sobbing in agony since 11 pm (it’s 2 am now). The burning, itching, inflammation, and swelling got 100% worse the moment I put the product in. I read so many reviews that say this means it is working, but why would it make you feel so much worse? I can’t sleep, move, or function with this pain. I had to get an ice pack down there to calm the swelling and burning, which only slightly helped. I’ve had YI before and figured I’d save time getting this, but I will never again use this product. Would’ve been more efficient and less painful just going to my doc. You’ve been warned."

• 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."

• Bur...
• July 9, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "So through the week, I had had symptoms of a yeast infection, but they were coming and going. My boyfriend and my 1st anniversary is coming up on Saturday, so I figured it would be smart to knock whatever issue I was having out beforehand. I used the 7-day cream before and found that it burned, so I opted for the capsules and inserted one before bed. 2 minutes in, I was met with mild burning and itching, which the box specifies may happen. After 15 minutes of unbearable burning and itching, it began calming down. Thankfully, I tried to fall asleep, but was met with the itching and burning yet again minutes later. This time, it was way worse than anything I've ever felt before. I was crying my eyes out in the shower while trying to get the already dissolved capsule out. Once I had gotten out as much as I could, I got out and checked everything down there. I'm red, swollen, and now raw. This better be healed by the time we leave for our vacation, or I'm going to lose it."

• Wor...
• August 19, 2016

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I applied before bed. Instant burning and stinging, like I got bit by fire ants in my vagina. I could only take it for 1 minute before I realized I couldn't take it anymore. I jumped in the shower and washed out as much as possible, applied some wheat grass lotion to my outer labia, took some Tylenol, and after a few hours, went to bed. Woke up with a perfectly healed labia, but the inside of my vagina was swollen and full of red, hurtful bumps, as well as painful to pee at first. I cried on my way to work and thought, "OMG, this is the worst pain ever! I have the worst yeast infection ever." The day went on and pain subsided. Night two, same thing. That's when I looked online and realized it's the product. I'm throwing this torture cream out!"

• Com...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2019

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I had a very severe case of vaginal yeast infection. I first tried using the cream insert of 3-day Monistat, followed all the directions, and spent 3 nights in horrific pain and woke up with a really swollen vagina. The anti-itch cream only increased the pain. Then I switched to the ovules. Immediate difference!!!! No pain, no mess, easy application. Leakage basically gone. Soooooo much nicer!"

• bur...
• December 11, 2015

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "FIRE OMG. It is like a raging fire on my lady bits. I used the insert and then put the cream on, and now my privates are red, swollen, and burning!!!! I will NOT be using the second dose, and if this feeling doesn't end after an hour, I am showering as much of this off!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2022

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "OMG! I'm pretty sure the inactive ingredients in Monistat 1 or 3-day include fire ant venom! This is torture! Let me clarify something: I'm not a boogie bee when it comes to meds. I've always purchased some off-brand suppositories (less mess) of 3-day or more, but I got in a pinch, and my local pharmacy only had Monistat. No, no, no, no, no! This is the worst time in my life, and I have gone through some nasty stuff. This is literally the devil's product! I don't know if it works or not yet because I haven't even made it 12 hours, and the burning, swelling, etc., is so much worse! Next"

• Bye...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Okay, so I've had mixed experiences with this. The first time I used it must have been 5 or more years ago, and it absolutely set my vagina on fire with volcanic rage that merely scooping out the pain-inducing cream couldn't abate. Despite swelling and pain, it did, however, cure my inconveniently timed yeast infection, so I risked the burning again and bought this product the other day. Why do the same thing twice? First, I thought there was a chance that the product had been improved because as of 2013 there had already been plenty of damaging comments. Obviously, that's not true given recent reviews. The difference this time-I use only half of a tube each night because my infection has not been that bad. Yes, there is still burning, but nothing close to the armageddon of 2013. It seems to be helping so far, but we shall see."

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2023

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Holy fire ants of the sun demon, Batman. I’m like many of you, I only found these reviews after Googling “why has my vagina turned into a fire-breathing dragon after my first Monistat dose?” And like many others, there is no real answer. I am willing to say the pain felt like a mild sunburn on my now swollen, pillow-sized lips after about an hour, still not pleasant, but was no longer leaking lava. I’m afraid to try tonight’s 2nd dose, but out of sheer curiosity and maybe because I must be secretly into torture. And because today my infection didn’t seem as bad as it did previously. I’ll see how the second one goes. Wish me and my scared little kitty luck!"

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2018

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "I bought this product hoping that it would alleviate my YI. I caught this yeast infection early in its tracks, so I thought I could use this product instead of having to go to the doctor. I did not have the same painful side effects that some of the other women on this forum had. The cream initially burned a tiny bit but quickly subsided in about a minute and alleviated the irritation. I diligently did the three days, and on the fourth day, everything seemed just fine. I thought I was completely over it. Today would technically be Day 5, and I just started itching really badly. My labia minora is swollen and red. I put more of that cream on it, and right now it seems to be working, but I’ve got to call the gyno. I’m giving this product a so-so rating simply because I thought this would go away, and now I definitely need to go to the doctor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2013

For Vaginal Yeast Infection "Terrible burning and swelling occurred. The pain was worse than the infection itself."