Over-The-Counter Yeast Infection Cure That Doesn’t Cost A Fortune? Rite-Aid Miconazole Combination Pack
Written: Jan 01 '04 (Updated Jan 02 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cures most yeast infections in three days, exterior itch relief cream.
Cons: Might not kill off all the bacteria in three days.
The Bottom Line: At almost half the price of the big name brands, Rite Aid’s Miconazole 3 Combination Pack is a great alternative that delivers the same curing agents.
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| Freak369's Full Review: Rite Aid Miconazole 3 Combination Pack |
Preface: This review may contain information that could be considered offensive to some people. Any information provided is for educational purposes only and should not take the place of qualified medical guidance.
Unless you are a sadist, have a medical fetish or get off on scratching yourself raw, yeast infections are something that you’ll want to avoid at all costs. It’s not a topic that comes up in casual conversation and the sheer mention of the phrase is enough to make most people red faced and embarrassed. The social stigma that comes with a yeast infection is generally that you are a dirty person that never changes your underwear. I’ll get into the basics of what a yeast infection is as well as what causes it later so for right now let’s get to the meat of the matter – how to cure it once you have it. There are a lot of over the counter products that will cure you of an infection but picking the one that will work best for you can be a complicated matter. There are one day, three day and five day products that come in creams, lotions, ointments, pills, suppositories and orals. That alone is enough to make your head spin – then consider the some infections require follow up applications if they aren’t cured the first time around as well as ones that are only available by prescription.
If you have never seen a doctor in regards to a yeast infection, the first time you get hit with one you should be seen to rule out other medical issues that can often times be confused with the onset of a yeast infection. These include allergic reactions to soap, douching, urinary infection, a sexually transmitted disease or poison ivy, oak or sumac. While none of these are the same as a yeast infection, the symptoms [redness, painful urination, itching etc] can be mistaken as a yeast infection. Over the years I’ve tried almost every single yeast infection medication on the market – both over the counter and doctor prescribed. When I started taking acidophilus my infections lessened but I would still get them from time to time when coming off a harsh diet. I came across the Rite Aid Miconazole 3 Combination Pack when I was looking for a general anti itch cream for an unrelated rash on my leg and since it was on sale I figured I'd pick it up and keep it on hand in case I needed it in the future. Maybe I tempted fate with the purchase because less than a month later I found myself digging under the counter for the box.
Rite Aid Miconazole 3 Combination Pack
This is a three day treatment for vaginal yeast infections, it should not be used on other areas of the body [mouth, anus etc] under any circumstances. The vaginal suppositories are individually wrapped so they are sterile until the time they are to be used and slip easily into the applicator. The one down side of this product over others is that you are only provided with one applicator so you will need to clean it after its been used. Detailed instructions are provided on how to properly insert the suppository into the applicator as well as how to correctly introduce it to the vaginal tract. If this is the first time you are using this type of product you should read all the instructions before you start to avoid costly and messy mistakes.
This is easier to use than creams that have to be pushed into tubes – or even those that come in prefilled tubes but you need to make sure that you keep them in a cool [not cold], dry area. Since this is a suppository it needs to be in a semi hard state when inserted so that it will stay solid until it’s in the correct position. The easiest product to use [that is no longer on the market] was a triangular shaped 'pill' that was inserted into the vaginal tract – no mess, no pushing creams into tubes and it didn’t start to break down for about twenty minutes. Remember to clean the applicator after you use it to prevent re-infection, air dry it and tuck it away until you need to do another application. Wash your hands before and after using this product and never lay the applicator on any surface once you have inserted the suppository into it, this is one of the prime ways a surface bacteria could be introduced to into the vaginal tract.
Most people will tell you that using this before going to bed is the best method – that’s something that I’ll completely agree on. Once the suppository has been inserted you'll have about ten to twenty minutes before it starts to break down. After that you might be in for a real mess if you are up and walking around. No, it’s not going to be foaming or streaming down your legs but your underwear will be damp – if you are concerned about this or worried that it will stain clothing or bed linens you can wear a thin panty liner [not a full sized pad]. I’ve never had any trouble with this staining clothing or sheets, but it is messy.
Miconazole Nitrate External Cream [.32 ounces]
Included with this kit is a small tube of itch relief cream that can be used on the inner and outer vaginal area for ‘almost’ immediate relief of itching that often accompanies a yeast infection. The 2% miconazole nitrate solution works in about three minutes to provide relief for about two to three hours, less if you are experiencing overactive bladder activities due to the infection. This is a nice perk to the kit and helps to lessen the side effects of the infection – just like the melted suppository, this can get a little messy if applied to the outer area or too much is applied at once. The small tube can be carried in your purse or pocket and used during the day to stop itching but by the third day you shouldn’t need it. If you do, chances are the infection is a little stronger than normal or if this is a recurring event, your body may have grown a tolerance to it and you might need to switch to another product or a five day course of treatment. The tube is a little smaller than the sample toothpaste tubes but if tossed into a cluttered drawer, there’s a good chance that this could very easily be mistaken for another product so your best off to tuck this away someplace where only you’ll come across it.
What Is A Yeast Infection? candida albicans
Chances are if you’ve never had a yeast infection you might not know that much about it. I am a firm believer that knowledge is the best preventative medicine and if there is a way to avoid something, it’s worth educating yourself about it. A yeast infection can range from slight discomfort when urinating to a foul, smelly discharge. More often than not, you will get hit with several telltale signs of a yeast infection; white clumpy cottage-cheese-like discharge, extreme sensitivity when urinating, itchiness, burning and a yeast-like odor. Not everyone is the same so you may get one or all of these symptoms. But what exactly causes a yeast infection? That can be any number of variables from taking antibiotics to a problem with your blood sugar level. Most of my yeast infections have been as a result of staying in ketosis too long [removing almost all carbohydrates from my diet] then coming off of it and throwing my body into a state of shock. After three to four weeks of low to no carbs my body just can’t handle the sugar so traces of it that are expelled through urine usually spark an infection. Those who are taking corticosteroids [prednisone, methyl prednisolone etc] may also develop a yeast infection so be sure to ask your doctor about this if he or she prescribes them for you. [Please note, corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.]
Most people who have never had a yeast infection think that you are a “dirty” person or don’t have good hygiene skills if you get one. This couldn’t be further from the truth – anyone can be affected by a yeast infection including men. A yeast infection is classified as a fungus when it comes to treating it and most of the time a simple three or five day ointment, cream, suppository or lotion will rid the body of it. The one day pill, Diflucan [fluconazole] is a good alternative for those who don’t want to play around with these types of medications but it will require an office visit, prescription and luck on your part that it will be strong enough to kill off the infection. Resist the urge to order this type of medication online since you will get charged a hefty consultation fee and could be doing yourself more harm than good in the long run.
In regards to the “foul smell” – this is something that the medical community and the populous are divided upon. I am sternly convinced that 99% of practicing, licensed doctors have never had a yeast infection, seen an active yeast infection or been in the room with someone who was experiencing one. If they were they would know that there is a smell associated with it and it is anything buy pleasant. If this is your first yeast infection it is extremely important that you see a doctor to rule out any other vaginal infections or that it maybe a precursor to a larger problem or health issue.
Things To Know
• If you are married or sexually active with someone and have been diagnosed with a yeast infection, your partner should also be checked out. As I said earlier, men can develop yeast infections [sometimes more painful than those that women get], if a condom is worn it can reduce the exposure rate but the infection can still come in contact with other parts of the body [testicles, mouth, anus etc] and spread that way.
• You can help to fight off stubborn yeast infections by taking an active dose of acidophilus, this will help to restore vaginal balance and restore the yeast levels to normal.
• If you have any questions about this product, the pharmacists at Rite Aid are always more than happy to help. They should not replace a consultation with a doctor it initially diagnose an infection but they can offer you answers to questions you may have forgotten to ask your physician, if you have any concerns about possible allergic reactions or what to do if the itching gets to be too much to handle.
The Bottom Line
In a lot of ways I’ve been unlucky with yeast infections – meaning that I’ve had more than a few of them and have subsequently tried a lot of different products over the years. The active ingredient in the Rite Aid Miconazole 3 combo kit [miconazole nitrate] is comparable to other popular and higher priced products like Monistat or Gyne-Lotrimin. Some people cling to the notion that something has to have a fancy name and colorful packaging to validate its effectiveness, in this case, I’d rather purchase something that’s as low key as possible. This is a good three day cure for most yeast infections but if you have self treated before or are prone to them chances are that you will build up an immunity to the active ingredient and might need to switch to another brand or a five day treatment. I try to keep a few of these on hand so I can knock out the infection at the first positive sign – it’s also a good idea to have a few of the three day treatments on hand in case you need to extend the three day plan to ensure that the infection is completely killed off. For me this product has worked just as well as others I have tried in the past and after reading the ingredient list and doing some comparisons, I’ve come to the conclusion that the only difference between them [aside from the price] is the packaging and corporate name.
As always, thanks for the read!
~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~
© 2004 Freak369
Other medicine cabinet essentials …
• N'Ice Cherry Lozenges • Aleve Pain Reliever •
• Twinlab Super Acidophilus 30 Caps Specialty Products •
• Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream With Oatmeal • Sta-Tite Gauze •
• Rite Aid Hydrogen Peroxide Solution •
• Aleve Pain Reliever • Tylenol Sore Throat •
Recommended:
Yes
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