Yeast infections come with a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including burning, itching, and redness. The infection may be recurrent, which may need some form of treatment depending on the type and frequency.
Enter boric acid suppositories, which have recently gained a lot of attention on TikTok as a way to treat the condition. Boric acid has many uses, including being an ingredient in insect repellents, eye drops, and baby powder. This chemical is even used in industrial processing, be it the manufacture of glass, leather, cement or other materials.
However, boric acid can also be given in suppositories in pharmaceutical products to fight infections. with Antifungal and antiviral propertiesBoric acid has been used for decades in medicine bacterial vaginosis;bacterial overgrowth in the vagina, recurrent vaginal candidiasis, or yeast infection, affecting an estimated 1.4 million people annually.
suppository is used for drug delivery into your system, Whether it is rectally or vaginally. The drug dissolves within the body, allowing it to be absorbed faster than if something were taken by mouth. But theAlthough suppositories can be a recommended way to treat infections, there are a few factors that need to be considered first. We asked OB-GYNs and toxicologists about long-term use, when not to use boric acid and when to see a doctor. Here are some points you should know:
1. Make sure not to swallow the suppository.
The instructions on the suppository box will say “Do not swallow,” depending on the brand. The suppository used for vaginal health is meant to enter the body through the vagina and is not meant to be taken orally.
This may seem logical, especially if there is a warning label, but swallowing boric acid suppositories is more common than you think. Recently, TikToker Ari Kytsya Share her experience with us Take boric acid by mouth for four days before you realize it wasn’t meant to be swallowed.
One user commented, “I’m glad I’m not the only one who did this.”
Boric acid can be swallowed Damage to the esophagus and stomach, which may persist for several weeks after ingestion. Perforations in the esophagus and stomach can cause infections.
It can also cause other problems. The main symptoms of boric acid poisoning include blue-green vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. Other symptoms may include blistering, fainting, coma, seizures, drowsiness, fever, headache, low blood pressure, restlessness, tingling, weakness, and decreased urination. If you swallow boric acid suppositories and have side effects, contact a poison control center right away.
Not only could swallowing a suppository cause harm, but it also wouldn’t be effective in treating any infection, says Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD. A medical toxicologist at the National Capital Poison Center told HuffPost.
“These suppositories are available in capsule form, which means people may swallow them by mistake, thinking they are for oral use or after confusing them with another oral medication,” Johnson-Arbor said. When used in suppository form as directed, boric acid is not significantly absorbed through the bloodstream into the body. Instead, boric acid works directly in the vagina.”
2. It will not cure all recurring infections.
Although boric acid can help treat bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, it’s usually used along with other medications, according to Dr. Susan S. Khalil is from Mount Sinai in New York City for HuffPost.
“Boric acid can’t treat all recurrent infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, or sometimes it can’t treat infections alone as a monotherapy,” said Khalil, who leads the division of sexual health at Mount Sinai in Raquel and Jaime Gilinsky’s division of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include abnormal discharge, irritation, pain or difficulty urinating, and pain in the genitals. Other forms of antifungals and antibiotics include recurrent vaginal infections metronidazoleIt is a common antibiotic for bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections.
In addition, you should not resort to boric acid again for recurring infections.
“It’s important for people to know that many of the studies on using boric acid to treat vaginal yeast infections involved short periods of treatment, one to two weeks,” Johnson-Arbour said. “If symptoms of a yeast infection are not adequately controlled after one course of boric acid suppositories, people should seek medical attention and not attempt to treat themselves with repeated courses of the product.”
3. Do not take suppositories if you are pregnant.
Safety and effects of boric acid suppositories in pregnant women It has not been widely studied. As a result, a must for pregnant women Avoid using boric acid.
Boric acid vaginal suppositories are not previously approved [Food and Drug Administration]and there is not Johnson Arbor said the standard dosing recommendation for these products is because of this. “Boric acid has the potential to have harmful effects on a developing fetus, but there is currently limited knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of using a boric acid suppository during pregnancy.”
a 2021 John Hopkins Study On the safety of using boric acid in pregnant and non-pregnant women found reported defects in the neural tube forming Brain and spine. In addition, there were fetal skeletal abnormalities, weight loss, and heart, lung, and organ problems in pregnant animals.
“Until human and animal studies evaluate the safety of using a boric acid suppository during pregnancy, pregnant women should not use boric acid suppositories,” Johnson-Arbor said.
4. Pay attention to the expiration date.
Generally, you should not use any kind of medication after its expiration date.
“The antifungal activity of boric acid may be less effective after the expiration date or the product may be more susceptible to microbial contamination after the expiration date, in which case the user may develop new or recurring vaginal infections,” Johnson-Arbor said.
Not only are expired medications less effective or not working, but they can also be risky to use due to a change in chemical composition. There may also be bacterial overgrowth that can lead to more diseases and increased antibiotic resistance.
Instead, discard or dispose of any expired suppositories properly and use a new one for effectiveness.
5. See your doctor if the infection persists or gets worse.
If boric acid suppositories do more harm than good, it’s time to look for different treatment options, including other medications.
“Now was the time to see an OB-GYN with frequent infections, pelvic pain, and increased discharge,” Khalil said. “Also, you should see a doctor if there is abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or swelling of the vulva, and if the patient has co-morbidities that may make treating certain vulvar or vaginal infections more difficult.”
