Yeast Infections and Cures 101
By Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, OB/GYN and Monistat Ambassador
Have you ever noticed an uncomfortable, irritating feeling in your vagina that may itch and burn at the same time? If so, you are not alone and you may be experiencing a yeast infection.
Although yeast infections are benign infections of the vagina, they create a lot of inconvenient symptoms. If you start to feel like you have irritation in your vaginal area that you are unfamiliar with, you may need to see your doctor to understand if it’s a yeast infection, a bacterial infection, or something more serious. If you are experiencing symptoms, don’t worry. Find out by answering a few questions through the MONISTAT Symptom Checker (available on Monistat.com) to make sure you are properly treating yourself.
To better understand your symptoms and be able to safely figure out if you might be experiencing a yeast infection, it’s best to understand the infection itself. A yeast infection is caused by the fungus Candida. When the pH of the vagina is altered, the small amount of yeast that normally grows in the vagina may multiply, creating this uncomfortable infection. The most common symptoms are itching, irritation, thick white discharge (think cottage cheese), redness and painful vaginal intercourse. For some women, these yeast infections come back regularly, even monthly with their menstrual cycle, so it’s important to understand what to do to both prevent and treat them.
Why do yeast infections occur?
Many factors can throw off the natural pH of the vagina and disrupt the normal balance of the yeast. Some include sexual activity, a high sugar diet, or weight gain, to name a few. It is important to practice preventive measures, such as changing out of underwear after a sweaty workout, minimizing sugar and alcohol intake, and avoiding external and internal products that can throw off the pH balance of the vagina and result in the overgrowth of yeast.
How do I cure my yeast infection?
Let us help you find the best product for you.
What do I do when prevention doesn’t work?
Sometimes you’ve done everything possible to practice good vaginal self-care, but you still get yeast infections. Well, there is a highly effective product on the market that has survived the test of time. If this is your first yeast infection or if you’re not sure if you have a yeast infection or something else, you will want to visit your doctor. If you have consulted with your doctor or know the symptoms from a prior yeast infection and are looking to treat the issue ASAP, you can grab MONISTAT from your local store or online and start treatment right away.
MONISTAT is the #1 OTC yeast infection brand that delivers medication straight to the source. This medication is inserted vaginally and therefore treats the infection more quickly and directly than the oral tablet competitors. You can apply it in seconds, and get relief in minutes. You can find MONISTAT in 1-, 3- or 7-day treatments, you don’t need a prescription (and can pick it up in-store even on a Saturday night!) and it’s safe and effective. Let me underscore that you can go to your local pharmacy and don’t need the doctor to call in a prescription, that’s a major advantage if you have a busy lifestyle! You can even use the MONISTAT Product Selector Tool to help decide which yeast infection treatment option might be best for you.
MONISTAT offers a variety of options to fit with your schedule and preference. While all MONISTAT products can take up to seven days to fully cure a yeast infection, some may feel more comfortable with a one-day treatment or taking the medication throughout the week. MONISTAT 1 is a single-dose product that is available in Miconazole Ovule and Tioconazole ointment form – perfect for those who prefer a one and done method. The Miconazole Ovule can be administered day or night while the Tioconazole ointment is best for at night use. MONISTAT 1 provides maximum strength for maximum relief. MONISTAT 3 is a 3-day option that comes in Ovule, cream and suppository forms. This is best for people who want a moderate treatment. MONISTAT 7 is a 7-day, low dose option and comes as a cream. The CDC recommends 7-day treatments as a safe option for pregnant women and diabetic women (consult a doctor before use)
MONISTAT is locally applied to treat the infection, so be sure to use as directed. Side note: when you have an infection the vaginal tissue is sore and can have micro abrasions (tiny cuts in the skin), sometimes you may notice some immediate burning when first applying. This will likely get better very quickly with continued application.
More women trust MONISTAT than any other brand when they have a yeast infection and with a safe and effective treatment like MONISTAT, you should be feeling better in no time!