No, You Wont Die from Boric Acid Suppositories: What to Know

Boric acid is a chemical that’s been used to treat some types of vaginal infections. It’s available in several forms, including suppositories that you place into your vagina.

You may have heard that you can become very sick or potentially die from boric acid. Because of this, you may be wondering whether boric acid suppositories are actually safe to use.

There have been no deaths reported from using boric acid suppositories. While boric acid can indeed be toxic when ingested orally, vaginal applications are considered to be safe.

Continue reading to learn more about the safety of boric acid suppositories and more.

Are boric acid suppositories dangerous?
A quick internet search may bring up some concern about the safety of boric acid suppositories.

But while boric acid suppositories can cause mild side effects, no serious side effects or deaths have been reported.

Is boric acid toxic?
When consumed by mouth, boric acid is toxic and can potentially lead to death. Deaths due to accidental boric acid ingestion have been reported in both adultsTrusted Source and childrenTrusted Source.

A 2010 statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that ingesting about 30 grams of boric acid in a short period of time is toxic to humans and can eventually result in death.

This is much less than the amount of boric acid that’s in a boric acid suppository, which is typically 600 grams.

Because suppositories may appear similar to a pill that you take orally, there is the risk that they could be accidentally swallowed.

Swallowing a boric acid suppository is dangerous, but using one as labeled for vaginal application is generally safe.

Side effects of using boric acid vaginal suppositories as directed tend to be mild. They can include things like vaginal irritation or discharge.

A 2011 study looked at the effects of boric acid suppositories on the vagina. The researchers found that boric acid absorption into the bloodstream through the vagina was minimal.

Additionally, the researchers saw no abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix.

Boric acid and reproductive health
Because boric acid suppositories are inserted into the vagina, another concern related to them has to do with their potential effect on reproductive health.

Studies in animals have found that when taken orally, boric acid can affect fertility in male animals and affect a developing fetus in female animals. However, studies in humans haven’t returned the same results.

A 2020 research review examined the animal studies discussed above and compared them with studies in humans who are regularly exposed to high levels of boron, the key element in boric acid, in the environment.

Overall, researchers found that:

So far, studies of human exposure to high levels of boron haven’t produced the same reproductive effects that have been observed in animals.
Even the highest levels of environmental boron exposure were too low to reach blood and tissue levels that would have harmful effects on human reproduction.

Why do people use boric acid suppositories?
Boric acid has been used, either alone or with other medications, to treat some types of recurrent vaginal infections, such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. (A recurrent infection is an infection that continues to return, despite treatment.)

A 2010 research reviewTrusted Source looked at 14 studies comparing boric acid with other treatments for recurrent yeast infections. The included studies were clinical trials, case series, and case studies. Researchers found that boric acid had a cure rate of 40 to 100 percent, depending on the study.

Research into boric acid for bacterial vaginosis is more limited. To date, one clinical trial has been performed on boric acid for bacterial vaginosis, although others have been proposedTrusted Source.

In the 2009 trial, participants were given oral nitroimidazole, an antimicrobial drug used to treat vaginal infections, followed by boric acid suppositories.

Cure rates were between 88 and 92 percent after this treatment. However, the infection returned in many participants over the course of several weeks.

Some more researchTrusted Source has also found that boric acid may help treat infections with Trichomonas vaginalis that are difficult to treat. T. vaginalis is the organism that causes the sexually transmitted infection (STI) trichomoniasis.

How exactly does boric acid work?
It’s unclear how exactly boric acid works to treat vaginal infections. It’s believed that it may work through disrupting fungal and bacterial growth.

It may also prevent these organisms from forming biofilms. Biofilms are a group of microorganisms that have organized within a sticky matrix. Organisms that have formed a biofilm can be harder to treat with some types of medications.

What are the potential side effects or risks of using boric acid vaginal suppositories?
Using boric acid suppositories is associated with a few side effects. These are generally mild and can include:

vaginal burning
watery vaginal discharge
vaginal redness
If you’re using boric acid suppositories to treat a vaginal infection and experience significant discomfort, stop using them and contact your doctor for other treatment options.

Additionally, if you’ve been using boric acid suppositories and your infection isn’t getting better or gets worse, contact your doctor for a different treatment option.

Can I have sex while using boric acid suppositories?
Avoid having vaginal intercourse while you’re using boric acid suppositories.

It may also be a good idea to avoid oral sex as well to reduce the risk of your partner ingesting boric acid that may still be present in or around your vagina.
Who should not use boric acid suppositories?
Because studies into the reproductive effects of boric acid are ongoing, avoid boric acid suppositories if you’re:

pregnant
planning to become pregnant
breastfeeding
Additionally, avoid using boric acid suppositories if you:

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currently have vaginal bleeding, open cuts, or sores in or around your vagina
have or suspect that you have an STI or pelvic inflammatory disease
are currently experiencing symptoms that could indicate a more serious condition, such as fever, chills, or nausea and vomiting
have certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system
are currently taking blood-thinning medications

What is boric acid?
Boric acid typically appears as an odorless white powder. It can be naturally found in the environment in:

rocks
soil
water
plants
Additionally, boric acid is used in various commercial products, such as:

pesticides
plant fertilizers
household cleaning products
laundry detergents
personal care products
Boric acid was first used as an antiseptic in 1873Trusted Source. Since then, it has continued to be used for various vaginal infections.

Why boric acid may not be a green choice
Because boric acid is naturally found in the environment, many people consider it to be a “greener” option for treating vaginal infections. But this isn’t entirely true.

One of the main sources of boron and boric acid is the mining of minerals that have a high boron content. Not only does mining consume a lot of resources, but it can also introduce pollutants into the environment.
The bottom line
Boric acid suppositories can be used to treat some types of recurrent vaginal infections. Examples include yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Using boric acid suppositories as labeled is generally safe. Side effects are mild and may include vaginal irritation and discharge. No serious side effects or deaths have been reported.

Boric acid is toxic when ingested by mouth, though. Boric acid poisoning can lead to serious symptoms and can be fatal. Because of this, always keep boric acid suppositories separate from oral medications to avoid accidental ingestion.

There are some people who should avoid using boric acid suppositories. If you’re interested in using boric acid suppositories or have questions or concerns, speak with your doctor first before using them.
Everything You Need to Know About Vaginal Infections
Overview
Vaginitis describes a few conditions that can cause infection or inflammation of your vagina. Vulvovaginitis describes inflammation of both your vagina and your vulva. Your vulva is the external part of your genitals.

Read on to learn more about what causes different types of vaginal infections and what you can do about it.

What should I look for with a vaginal infection?
Some vaginal infections may not produce any symptoms. If you do develop symptoms, the most common are:

vaginal itching
a change in the amount of discharge from your vagina
a change in the color of your vaginal discharge
pain or burning during urination
pain during intercourse
vaginal bleeding or spotting
The symptoms of vaginal infections will also vary based on the cause of your infection:

Bacterial infections typically cause grayish-white or yellow discharge. This discharge may have a fish-like odor that’s easily noticed after sex.
Yeast infections typically produce itching. If discharge is present, it may be thick and white and look like cottage cheese.
Trichomoniasis is a condition that can produce vaginal itching and odor. Discharge from this infection is typically greenish-yellow and may be frothy.
Vaginal infections aren’t life-threatening conditions. However, you should make an appointment to see your doctor if you:

have never had a vaginal infection before
have had a vaginal infection but are experiencing new symptoms
have had different or new sexual partners
develop a fever
believe you may be pregnant
have symptoms that return after treatment
If you experience vaginal irritation and have been diagnosed with yeast infections in the past, you may not need to see your doctor.

Yeast infections can be treated at home with over-the-counter vaginal antifungal medications. However, if you’re not sure that you have a yeast infection, it’s always wise to check with your doctor.

What causes vaginal infections?
Vaginal infections can have several causes. If you develop a vaginal infection, your doctor will diagnose and treat your infection based on its cause.

Common causes of vaginal