Can I Have Sex After Using Boric Acid?

Key Points

• Boric acid, a naturally occurring compound, is a common treatment for yeast infections.
• Boric acid suppositories are safe for most people to use but can come with mild side effects, such as skin redness, irritation or burning.
• Wait at least 24 hours after using a boric acid suppository to have sex, for your safety and your partner's.

Boric acid is a naturally occurring compound that has been used as a yeast infection treatment for more than a century. Boric acid may help restrict the growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) or Candida glabrata (C. glabrata), the fungi that frequently cause yeast infections.

If you use boric acid to treat a yeast infection, can you still have sex? If not, how long do you have to wait?

Is boric acid safe?

For most people, boric acid is safe to use as a vaginal suppository, said Monte Swarup, M.D., an OB-GYN in the Phoenix area and the founder of HPV Hub. People who are pregnant should not use boric acid suppositories.

"Boric acid suppositories are an effective yeast infection treatment," Swarup said. "This is a safe treatment that is used to prevent the growth of yeast."

Although considered safe, boric acid suppositories are associated with some side effects, including skin redness, irritation and burning after long-term use, Swarup said.

Can you have sex after using boric acid?

Boric acid is available in gelatin capsules that can be inserted into the vagina as a suppository. So how long should you wait for sex after using a boric acid suppository? You should avoid having sex after using boric acid suppositories for at least 24 hours.

You should not have sex immediately after using a boric acid suppository, Swarup said. This applies to both penetrative and oral sex, for your partner's safety, because boric acid can hurt your partner. If you have penetrative sex before the suppository fully dissolves, your partner's skin could be exposed to the substance, potentially causing irritation or other adverse reactions.

It could be dangerous for your partner if they swallow the suppository by accident during oral sex, as boric acid is highly toxic, Swarup said.

Avoiding penetrative sex and oral sex after taking a boric acid suppository gives you time to assess treatment results. If your yeast infection symptoms continue or worsen after using the suppository, talk to an OB-GYN before resuming sexual activity.

Recommended

• Can Food-Related Sex Toys and Activities Cause Infections?: Candy G-strings are tasty ways to spice up sex, but they may cause infections.
• Your Yeast Infection Isn't Dangerous, Just Unpleasant: The condition is extremely common. Here's what you need to know about symptoms and treatment.
• Know Your Yeast Infection Treatment Options: When the vaginal microbiome gets unbalanced, common medical approaches can clear it up.

Can I use boric acid after sex to prevent bacterial vaginosis?

"Yes, boric acid suppositories are an effective treatment for bacterial vaginosis," Swarup said.

Boric acid suppositories are typically part of an effective treatment plan for BV and not a standalone treatment. Alone, suppositories may be ineffective for treating bacterial vaginosis and are best used in combination with antibiotic treatments, a 2022 report suggested.

Before using boric acid to treat bacterial vaginosis, consult a healthcare provider to determine your most effective treatment plan.

Can boric acid cause a miscarriage?

Medical professionals don't know if boric acid can cause a miscarriage. There aren't any relevant studies. If you're worried, you have access to well-studied and safe alternatives to boric acid. There is no need to risk it.

Pregnant people should avoid using boric acid suppositories. If you are pregnant and trying to treat a yeast infection, try alternative treatments such as antifungal medications, according to Swarup. Monistat and terconazole are good examples.

The bottom line

Boric acid suppositories are a safe and effective treatment for yeast infections. However, after using a boric acid suppository, avoid sexual activity for at least 24 hours for your safety and your partner's.

Before treating your yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis with boric acid, talk to your primary care provider to discuss safety, risks and alternatives.