Advice needed, please!

First off, please bear with me—I’m new here, so I’m starting this thread even though I know there are probably a million existing ones. I just don't have the energy to scroll through the entire forum right now.
To get straight to the point: I came down with a cold a few days ago. Sore throat, coughing, runny nose, the whole works. I didn't take any antibiotics, just some Tylenol and Vitamin C.
It seems my immune system took a hit, and Candida decided to take advantage of the situation.😠
Two days ago, I noticed some mild itching and an increase in white discharge—it's a bit clumpy, but there's no odor. So, clearly, it's a yeast infection.
Since I can't make it to my gynecologist today or tomorrow, and with the weekend coming up, I headed to the pharmacy today and grabbed some Monistat vaginal suppositories over the counter. I've never actually had issues down there before; I'm not prone to infections or inflammation. This is the first time I've dealt with anything like this, about five months ago. (And please, don't try to lecture me about whether or not I "have" an infection. I know what's going on inside my own body, and I know that when they overgrow, things get messy.)
Do you think it's a smart move to start treating this myself?
Is it obvious that it's yeast, and will the suppositories cause any harm?🤷
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who knows a bit more about this or has used this treatment before. Thanks!

Hi there!
Using vaginal suppositories isn't going to cause you any harm; I’ve actually taken matters into my own hands quite a few times myself. I always make sure to pair them with antibiotics, especially during those stretches when my immune system feels a little run down. Honestly, these things show up on my schedule "regularly" every few months—it's been a total nightmare for the last 3 or 4 years. I even sat down with my OB-GYN to see if there was some kind of permanent fix, but they told me there just isn't one. It was so frustrating that I even dealt with an infection just two days before giving birth! My doctor gave me something else then (I can't recall the specific name, but it definitely wasn't Monistat) just to clear it up quickly so the baby wouldn't have to deal with it too.
Don't worry, you aren't going to hurt yourself!!
Just whatever you do, try not to scratch. That was my first mistake, and I ended up making things ten times worse because scratching just spreads the Candida around...

Monistat is super strong, seriously, just one application is plenty so don't go thinking you need to use all three at once. Honestly, try rinsing with some chamomile tea first, and if that doesn't cut it, then maybe grab one Monistat. But hey, I'm no doctor.

I’m asking because this isn't something I usually deal with, so I’m starting to panic a little!😲
They were first detected five months ago, though back then there was absolutely no discharge, no odor, and no itching whatsoever.🤷
Now, however, I am experiencing some mild itching—nothing so intense that I feel the need to scratch my skin raw, but it is definitely there.😁
Melissa Collins8, are you saying you also just decided to handle this on your own? 😉
That was my thought process as well; I assumed I wouldn't be doing any harm. I had actually heard that it might even be recommended to use Monistat once a year simply as a preventative measure.
While Monistat might be a bit strong, it doesn't seem practical to buy a three-pack if I only need one dose. In that case, I would just opt for the single-dose packaging.🤷
Regardless, I know I will just need to restore my flora with yogurt or those probiotic capsules, like Culturelle, once the treatment is finished.

I honestly don't think you'll see much of a difference from just using one kind....
And even chamomile isn't exactly a miracle cure... trust me, I've tried just about everything out there already.

I'm telling you, there's zero point in just taking one dose if the prescription calls for three. I am fully aware that you have to complete the entire course of treatment to actually finish what you started.
Honestly, I’ll just take all three at once, three nights in a row, and call it a day! 😁 It isn't going to hurt me 😍—it’ll just kill off the pests once and for all.😍
I mean, look, most women and girls don't seem to have any issues with this kind of thing. I just let the panic get the better of me for a second. I truly believe it’s a total nightmare when these symptoms keep recurring and you're constantly fighting them tooth and nail! 👎

fadedheron892 said:Monistat is potent stuff. You really don't need to go overboard and use all three at once—that’s just asking for trouble. Honestly? Try a chamomile rinse first. If that doesn't cut it, then maybe try one Monistat. But hey, I’m no doctor.

Monistat packs a punch. 😕

Last time, I went out and bought two boxes—six suppositories total. And you know what? Nothing changed. It was like I hadn't even taken anything at all. 🤷

The instructions for Monistat clearly state that the treatment for Candida lasts four days.

darkmarlin5 said:Monistat is quite 😕

Last time, I used two boxes—that's six suppositories total—and honestly, I felt no different than if I hadn't taken anything at all. 🤷

The instructions for Monistat state that the treatment for Candida lasts four days.

Oh boy!😢 I really hope this works for me...
I am currently reading through the patient information leaflet for the Monistat.
It mentions that for candidal vaginitis, a three-day course is sufficient, and typically, the symptoms caused by a yeast infection improve within four days of starting the treatment.
I will have to see if it actually helps 😉 and then I plan to schedule another follow-up with my gynecologist. It will be about six months since my last visit. Personally, I aim for an annual check-up. I prefer to be certain that everything is functioning perfectly.😉

Is Monistat actually strong, or does it just depend on the person? Maybe it’ll work for you, Chloe Price48... fingers crossed. For me, I’ve only dealt with this twice. The first time, my doctor gave me a pack of Medazol and Rojazol vaginal suppositories and that cleared it right up. Last time, she prescribed one dose of Monistat plus an oral pill, and that worked too. I guess it depends on how bad the infection is and what you eat—like, does sugar mess with things? I find if I cut out sweets while treating it, things go much smoother. It also probably depends on how often this happens; if you get infections constantly and use the same meds, they might lose their edge.

Good luck!!!! Get rid of that little monster!! 😁

Elizabeth Jackson64 said:Honey, does Monistat actually work well, or does it just depend on the individual? Maybe it will do the trick for you, Chloe Price48... I'm rooting for you! For instance, I've only dealt with this twice. The first time, my doctor prescribed a course of Medazol and Rojazol suppositories, and that cleared it right up. The last time, she gave me one Monistat dose along with some oral medication, and that worked too. I suppose it all depends on how severe the infection is, what your diet looks like—sugar and stuff like that definitely interferes, right? Personally, I cut out all sugar while treating an infection, and it helps tremendously. It also depends on how frequently you experience flare-ups; your body might become somewhat immune to certain medications. Naturally, if you have recurring issues and repeatedly use the exact same treatment, its effectiveness will likely diminish over time.

Good luck!!!! Get rid of that little beast!! 😁

So, did you finally manage to get rid of them?
It is perfectly normal for a medication not to affect everyone identically. It works for some people and fails for others.
The thing is, I'm not typically prone to any infections or inflammation. My lab results and Pap smears have always been perfectly fine, except for this most recent time, and I didn't even realize anything was wrong.😠
My doctor prescribed some vaginal suppositories, but I honestly have no idea which ones they were. I've never heard of them!🤷 Since I don't usually have issues, I rarely take anything.
That's why I'm starting to panic now. It should be effective since I haven't been using Monistat regularly, nor have I been on any other treatments for this. So, there shouldn't be any resistance to the suppositories.
I have a follow-up appointment in a month, so I'll know then if I've successfully cleared it up.😁
Even though the symptoms actually vanished yesterday, I want to be certain just in case. Especially because last time, I didn't even realize they were there, ugh.😠
By the way, I sent an inquiry via email to the Mayo Clinic website.
They replied saying that based on my description, they concluded it is likely Candida, and that I could feel free to use Monistat on my own, provided that I make sure to follow up with my gynecologist afterward.

I actually took the exact same approach as you—I went out and bought those specific wipes and used the cream as well.
It provided some relief, I suppose, but those little "monsters" eventually made their comeback after a while...

Whether or not it works for you really depends on a massive amount of variables—your diet, how your immune system is holding up, even your choice of clothing. Plus, you have to make sure those other four swabs come back clear. Believe me, even certain laundry fabric softeners can cause issues... there is just so much to consider.

Sophia Wells72, I was actually wondering about that. Did any of you try doing this on your own, and what was the experience like?
So, I guess I'm not the only one.😁

My immune system is basically bulletproof! The last time I was ever sick was back in elementary school, and now, thank God, I'm 24 years old.😍
Then one day, I wash my hair, don't dry it all the way, and head out for dinner while it's windy and cold outside.👍
The next day? Congestion, sore throat—boom, there it is.😠
Honey, dough, pliers, tampons, gels, Olay... nothing ever affects me!🙏 It's boring!😠 By the way, I always wash my underwear at 60 degrees Celsius. That's what they recommend for lingerie and towels. Although my mom insists on washing everything white at 90! 😉
My lab results have been perfect from the very start (from age 17 until recently)! Everything was flawless—never a single issue, neither on paper nor in a swab test! It couldn't be better! (Read my post above about that, because the last time I had them, I didn't even have a single symptom, so I didn't even know.)
That's why I started this thread; it's all unfamiliar territory to me, and I'm feeling a little panicked.😉
I hope I'm not being annoying and just making a mountain out of a molehill. Because, unfortunately, it seems like many women deal with this almost constantly, and I honestly admire how they endure it!🙏
I'll let you know if I manage to start the antifungal treatment.😍

Good luck eradicating those fungi. 👍 For a while there, I was going through absolute hell, and every gynecologist I saw just gave me the same tired excuse—that my immune system was down. It turns out, I was basically a walking petri dish because of some specific pH imbalance, combined with certain bacteria, plus some third factor that honestly doesn't even matter anymore.

Anyway, they can be incredibly stubborn and tricky for a period of time. You just have to be more persistent than they are! 🙂

Here I am again! 😁
I have finished my three-day course of Johnson & Johnson treatment. I applied the final, third vaginal suppository the night before last.
Naturally, by the afternoon or evening, I would notice a bit of the melted medication on my underwear. I understand that this is how the process works.
Now, I am wondering if what I am experiencing is normal. Today, when I went to the bathroom and undressed, there was a significant amount of discharge. It is white and somewhat milky; it isn't thick or cottage cheese-like, but rather a bit thinner and more liquid 😁though it does contain some tiny little particles. I suspect it might be a mixture of the dissolving medication and perhaps the neutralized fungal colonies. When I rub it between my fingers, it disappears—there is no lingering white residue, and those little bits seem to just smear away and vanish. It seems logical to me that the discharge is simply flushing everything out, but let’s not rely solely on my own reasoning!😁

Chloe Price48 said:Back again! 😁
I just finished my three-day course of Johnson & Johnson. I used the last suppository the night before last.
As expected, by the afternoon or evening, I could feel some of the medication melting. I know that’s how it works.
Now I'm wondering if this is normal. Today when I went to the bathroom, I noticed much heavier discharge. It's white and milky—not thick or chunky, more liquid 😁 but with some tiny little bits in it. I'm thinking it's a mix of leftover medication and dead yeast colonies? When I rub it between my fingers, it disappears; there's no white residue and those little bits just seem to blend in and vanish. It makes sense to me that my body needs to flush everything out through the discharge, but hey, don't mind my logic! 😁

To answer your question about whether they worked for me—yes, 🙂 one round of Johnson & Johnson fixed everything, thank Bill Gates. 🙂

Regarding that last thing you asked... yeah, those little bits are probably just remnants of the tablet, and the rest is likely the "dead" (nice way to put it 😁) yeast colonies. If you happen to be ovulating right now, that might be contributing to it too. It all sounds normal; your body has to clear it out. As long as the discharge doesn't persist—and it shouldn't, since you didn't mention any weird smells or anything suspicious 😉—you should be fine...

Three cheers for the dead yeast! 😬

Actually, I’m not even in my fertile window right now; I’ve already hit my PMS phase, and my period is expected to start this Sunday. 😁
I’m asking because I am certain it needs to be cleared out. It isn’t just going to relocate elsewhere. 🤣
It is likely just the remnants of everything mentioned, especially since I had some slight discharge after using a feminine wash. I tried using a finger to check, but there was nothing on it. 😁
Just a clean finger! Hopefully, everything has been flushed out. 🙏
The discharge had no odor, and nothing seemed unusual. I have an appointment at the gynecologist in about three weeks regardless. I am aiming for two weeks after my period ends, as I’ve heard that is the optimal time for exams and Pap smears. I will let you know if I have finally gotten rid of this nuisance!

Chloe Price48 said:I'm not even in my fertile window right now. I've already hit PMS, and my period is due this Sunday. 😁
I'm asking because I know it needs to come out. It won't just move to another spot. 🤣
It’s probably just leftover residue from everything I mentioned earlier, since I had some discharge after using the vaginal wash. I tried using a swab, but nothing came up on it. 😁
Clean the finger! Looks like everything is gone. 🙏
No smell, just some discharge—nothing unusual there. I’m planning to head to the dentist in about three weeks regardless. I think my appointment is scheduled for two weeks after my period starts, since they say that's the best time for exams and Pap smears. I'll let you guys know if I finally managed to get rid of this pest!

Good. 🙂 Scout clear. 😁 I hope you’re staying healthy—proven by the results—for the next three weeks. 😉

Back again 😁
By the way, I’m pretty sure the yeast infection is gone. My finger is completely clear 😁 and, honestly, I haven't had any discharge for 3 or 4 days now. For me, it just shows up as tiny little drops on my underwear (thank Bill Gates). There are even days where there is absolutely nothing all day long 😉

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has actually tried the VI-SENSE test?

The VI-SENSE test is basically the only non-invasive self-testing indicator for vaginal discharge. It looks for four specific types of infections that cause increased discharge: bacterial, Trichomonas, yeast, or mixed infections.

It works like a daily pad that features an indicator strip; when the color changes, it tells you whether an infection is present or not. You wear the pad for at least 6 hours, but no more than 12. After that, you pull out the test strip, let it dry, and read your results.

It costs about $27. It seems like a great tool to me. Even though it's a bit pricey, what else can you do right now? Maybe buy one every 3 or 4 months just to check in. Or use it if you suspect a yeast infection. It beats waiting two weeks for results at a doctor's office. I'm mainly thinking of women who don't deal with frequent yeast infections. Like me 😁 Just for peace of mind 😉

Chloe Price48 said:Back again. 😁
By the way, I don't think the yeast is still there. My finger is clear 😁 and honestly, I haven't had any discharge for 3 or 4 days now. Usually, I just get tiny drops on my underwear (thank Bill Gates). Other days, there's nothing at all 😉

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has tried the VI-SENSE test?

The VI-SENSE test is the only non-invasive indicator for self-testing vaginal discharge. There are four types of infections that cause increased discharge: bacterial, Trichomonas, yeast, or mixed infections.

The test looks and functions like a daily liner containing an indicator strip that changes color to show whether an infection is present. You wear the pad for at least 6 hours, but no more than 12. After that, you remove the test strip, let it dry, and read the results.

It costs about $27. It seems like a great idea to me. It’s a little pricey, but what can you do. Maybe buy one every few months just to check in. Or if you suspect yeast. It beats waiting two weeks for results at the doctor's office. I'm mainly thinking of women who don't deal with frequent yeast issues. Like me 😁 Just for peace of mind 😉

Personally, I've never heard of that test, but it sounds great... exactly like you said—it sounds perfect for women who don't have constant yeast problems, but would want something like this if they suspected something was wrong. Do you know where you can find it? CVS, a local pharmacy, or some specialty shop? 🙂

I actually stumbled upon this while browsing online. I was just doing some random Googling when this popped up among other results, and honestly, it looks like a fantastic option!
It really ought to be available at every local pharmacy.😕I’m planning to head over to the drugstore this coming Monday to see if they have it in stock. That said, I won't be trying it until after my period starts tomorrow.

Here is what it looks like.