Using monistat when you don’t have a yeast infection, or using any anti fungal cream or suppository will do your vagina more harm than good. Many women get the idea to use these types of yeast infection treatments at the first sign of any vaginal itching, and some think it’s a good way to keep their vagina free from yeast. This is not what will happen if you start using yeast anti fungal remedies in this way.

See your doctor

If you start suffering from any vaginal itching the first thing you need to do is see your doctor. Yeast infection anti fungal creams and suppositories are only to be used if you’re suffering from Candida overgrowth in your vagina. You won’t know this until you’ve been to see your doctor.

It could be a more serious infection

Some women fall into the trap of using a yeast infection cream at the first sign of any symptoms, and then continue using the OTC yeast remedy when the symptoms disappear. The problem with this is, symptoms of other vaginal bacterial infections like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will disappear when you use an an anti fungal cream, but the infection will still be there getting worse. This could lead to complications later.

You can create a yeast infection

If you use monistat and you don’t have a yeast infection you can actually create an infection by using the treatment. The Candida that lives harmlessly in your vagina will mutate when you start using the cream, and then start causing you problems. It won’t be an ordinary yeast infection though as the yeast infection that has been created will be resistant to the medication, and then a stronger one will be needed to treat it.

Vaginal health

Some women will use monistat just to give their vagina a clean out. Vaginas are self cleaning and don’t need anything inserted or used to clean them out. If there is any itching or odor then there is a bacteria or fungus present, and then you need to see your doctor to identify the culture.

OTC yeast treatments

Because OTC yeast treatments are so easy to purchase they have caused thousands of women to create resistant yeast infections. Some of these women go on to suffer for years afterwards because they have no idea what they have done. Doctors love this type of infection because it keeps you going back to their surgery for more prescriptions.

If you have any suspicion that you are suffering from a vaginal infection then please see your doctor for a correct diagnosis before you start using any treatment.

What you can do instead if using an OTC yeast cream

If you need to use something to ease itching, or you suspect you have a yeast infection, then try a tampon dipped in live, natural, sugar free yogurt, and insert it as you normally would. Leave it in for a couple of hours, and then remove it. Do this s couple of times a day. This however, does not replace a doctors diagnosis, and you put your own health at risk by not seeing him/her.

Be safe and not sorry.