MONISTAT® Announces Quest to End Unfair Stigma of Yeast Infections

TREVOSE, Pa., Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Research has shown that three in four women will experience candidiasis, more commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection, at some point in their lives. Yet despite the high incidence of the condition, a new independent survey commissioned by MONISTAT^® revealed that more than two thirds (67%) of women believe that having a yeast infection is embarrassing.

"Yeast infections are a perfectly normal part of life for women," said Jennifer Moyer, vice president of marketing for INSIGHT Pharmaceuticals, LLC, the parent company of MONISTAT^®. "A yeast infection doesn't mean you did anything wrong; it's like getting a cold. Yet our survey confirms that most women feel embarrassment about having a yeast infection. That's adding unnecessary distress to a normal condition, and one that's uncomfortable enough in its own right. So we are on a quest to end that embarrassment through education."

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, found that less than half of women surveyed (45%) feel comfortable talking openly about yeast infections with a friend. By contrast, the majority of women felt at least somewhat comfortable discussing menstruation (85%) and urinary tract infections (82%) with friends. Even more concerning, close to one in ten would not be comfortable talking openly about yeast infections with anyone, even their doctor.

Many women also think that suffering from a yeast infection is a cause for judgment: close to one-third (29%) of respondents indicated that they would be at least somewhat worried that other people would judge them if they knew they had experienced a yeast infection.

"We see many patients who are experiencing yeast infections, yet we find that women are often embarrassed to discuss their symptoms during appointments," said Dr. Allison Hill, OB/GYN and member of The Mommy Docs, a group of three doctors featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network's "Deliver Me" as well as a forthcoming eponymous series on public television. "As OB/GYNs, we see and hear everything. There is nothing a woman could reveal to us that would surprise or upset us, so there should be no reason for patients to be ashamed of having a yeast infection. It's imperative for women to feel comfortable enough to discuss topics like yeast infections with others, especially their doctor. After all, it's their own health at stake."

Other survey findings indicate that there are many misconceptions surrounding treatment options. More than one-third (36%) of women believe that yeast infections can be cured using a feminine cleansing product or cream designed exclusively to relieve itching and other symptoms; in reality, such products do not do anything to treat the infection. Furthermore, more than one in five women (23%) believe that yeast infections can only be cured with prescription treatment, when in actuality, over-the-counter products such as MONISTAT^® are proven to be just as effective. Furthermore, MONISTAT^® 1 provides relief from symptoms as soon as four hours after the first dose, which is four times faster than the leading prescription treatments.

"While we always recommend that women visit their doctor if they're experiencing a yeast infection for the first time to confirm the diagnosis, the condition is easily cured with over-the-counter treatments such as MONISTAT^®," Dr. Hill continued. "Most yeast infections take around seven days to be completely cured, but if symptoms don't subside after a week, one may be experiencing another infection such as bacterial vaginosis, or an STD such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. In that case, a woman should see her doctor to confirm that it isn't something more serious."

"In our eyes, the unnecessary stigma of yeast infections is one of the last remaining injustices in women's health," Moyer stated. "The fact that so many women feel as though having a yeast infection is a cause for embarrassment when it's a decidedly normal part of life is something that needs to be rectified. By encouraging women to talk candidly about yeast infections, we hope to dispel some of the myths around the subject and ultimately empower women to take control of their personal health."

To learn more about vaginal yeast infections and treatment options offered by MONISTAT^®, visit www.monistat.com. 

Abbreviated Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Neiman from October 11-15, 2012 among 1,152 female adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Kaitlin Bitting at [email protected].

About MONISTAT^®
MONISTAT^® is the #1 doctor-recommended over-the-counter, antifungal yeast infection treatment that relieves symptoms and cures the infection. The Brand offers a portfolio of products, including 1-, 3- and 7-Day treatments, which are available in three forms – ovule, cream and suppository – and are designed to help women confidently address their vaginal health needs on their terms. The active ingredient in MONISTAT^® is Miconazole Nitrate.  For a complete list of MONISTAT^® products, visit www.monistat.com. 

About INSIGHT Pharmaceuticals:
INSIGHT Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a consumer products company whose strategy is to generate growth by acquiring brands with solid consumer equity that can be further developed through their merchandising and marketing expertise. The company strengthens its portfolio of brands by employing a variety of strategies, all with an in-depth understanding of the heritage of the brand and the needs of the consumer. Additional information about Insight Pharmaceuticals can be found at www.InsightPharma.com.

About the Mommy Docs:
Dr. Yvonne Bohn, Dr. Allison Hill, and Dr. Alane Park just celebrated the 10th anniversary of their OB/GYN practice in Los Angeles. They have personally welcomed more than 15,000 babies into the world. They are the featured doctors in the popular TV series "Deliver Me," in its third season on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. They also have a new series "Mommy Docs" currently in development for public television. They know the pregnancy and birthing process intimately…from both sides. They're doctors, but they're also moms who have been through all the stages of pregnancy with six kids of their own. In addition to obstetric care they also provide guidance and treatment for various women's health concerns including: Contraceptive Health, Breast Cancer Screening, STD Screening, Menopausal Care, Infertility and Preventive health. For more information, visit www.MommyDocs.com or follow them on Twitter @TheMommyDocs.

SOURCE MONISTAT