Why does Monistat burn/itch so bad? (2024)

Monistat is the brand name for the drug miconazole, which is commonly used to treat vagin*l yeast infections. Some side effects of Monistat include mild vagin*l itching, burning or irritation.

Your vagin* and vulva are covered by a mucous membrane, a moist lining made up of a thin layer of skin cells and cells that secrete mucus. The mucous membrane of the vagin*l area helps protect it from damage by lubricating it and acting as a barrier to germs. However, the mucous membrane of your vagin*l area is also very sensitive and can absorb chemicals.

Because this area is so sensitive, you may experience itching or burning from medicines applied to it. These side effects may be caused by the actual drug (active ingredient) or by other substances in the product (inactive ingredients).

Although mild vagin*l itching, burning and irritation are listed as side effects of Monistat, some women have reported more intense effects.

If you experience severe vagin*l itching, burning, irritation or swelling after applying Monistat, you should stop using it and check with your doctor. You can also report an adverse effect like this to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Remember that if you wash your vagin*l area or douche to try to relieve the itching or burning, then you will also remove the medicine, so it won't be able to treat the yeast infection.

Monistat preparations

Monistat comes as a cream or a vagin*l suppository. It’s inserted directly into your vagin* using the applicator provided, or spread on the vulva, the skin near the opening of your vagin*, using your fingertips.

• The cream is available as a 2% or 4% preparation.
• The suppositories are available in 100 mg, 200 mg, or 1,200 mg strengths.
• Length of treatment with Monistat varies between 1 and 7 days, depending on what strength of cream or suppository is being used.

Related Questions

• Can you have sex while using Monistat?
• Do you wash Monistat out in the morning?
• How long do you have to lay down for after using Monistat?

vagin*l yeast infections

vagin*l yeast infections are frequently caused by a yeast called Candida albicans. About 1 in 5 women have this yeast living in their vagin*l area normally without it causing any symptoms of infection. Exactly why vagin*l yeast infections develop is unclear. Although it is possible for yeast infections to be passed on through sexual intercourse, this is uncommon and vagin*l yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted disease because yeast infections can develop without sexual contact. If your partner has an uncircumcised penis then they may be more at risk of contracting a yeast infection from you.

Symptoms of a vagin*l yeast infection include:

• vagin*l itching, soreness or burning
• vagin*l redness or irritation
• Pain during sex
• vagin*l discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Pain while urinating