Vaginitis - Diagnosis and treatment
Vaginal Suppositories: Uses, Insertion, Alternatives
A vaginal suppository is a form of solid medication inserted into the vagina with a special applicator. Once inserted, your body absorbs the medication through the vaginal tissue.
Vaginal suppositories may treat infection, pain, and vaginal dryness. Inserting a vaginal suppository is similar to using a tampon for your menstrual period.
This article discusses the uses, benefits, and tips for inserting vaginal suppositories.
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UsesVaginal suppositories are commonly used for the treatment of vaginal infections and dryness. Most are available over the counter without a prescription.
Yeast Infection
Vaginal suppositories are a common treatment for yeast infections. A vaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, a type of fungus. A vaginal yeast infection causes itching and burning in and around the vagina.
Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medication. Antifungal vaginal suppositories are available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription. The treatment may last one to seven days, depending on the brand and dose. Common brands include:
Monistat 3 (miconazole)
Terazol 3 (terconazole)
Femstat 3 (butoconazole)
Some antifungal vaginal suppositories may weaken the effectiveness of condoms and diaphragms. Ask a healthcare provider when it is safe to have sex after treating a yeast infection.
Intimacy
Vaginal suppositories have been used to relieve pain with sexual intercourse. A common cause of pain with sex is vaginal dryness. This can happen to anyone but is especially common in people going through menopause. Vaginal suppositories can be used to provide moisture and improve the tissue quality of the vagina.
Vaginal suppositories that treat vaginal dryness include Revaree and Carlson Key-E suppositories. They can be used up to five times per week.
Estrogen Suppositories
Another type of vaginal suppository used to prevent pain with sex is estrogen suppositories. Menopause causes a drop in the level of estrogen in the body. This leads to vaginal atrophy, a thinning of the vaginal walls. Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include itching, dryness, pain, and bleeding after sex.
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Estrogen suppositories are available with a prescription and include:
Vagifem
Imvexxy
Estring
Estrace
Both vitamin E and vitamin D suppositories may be used to improve vaginal atrophy in people experiencing symptoms like dryness and irritation. These suppositories may improve symptoms, but more research is needed.
Related:What to Know About Low Estrogen Levels
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including endometriosis or problems with the following:
Uterus
Ovaries
Bladder
Intestines
Pelvic muscles
Nerve function
Cardiovascular system
One possible treatment for pelvic pain is a vaginal suppository. One study found that a Valium (diazepam) suppository effectively treats pelvic pain caused by nonrelaxing pelvic floor muscles. This type of vaginal suppository may improve pain and make sex and physical therapy more comfortable.
Standard IngredientsA vaginal suppository is a solid medication that "melts" or absorbs into the tissues of the vagina. The ingredients in a vaginal suppository vary depending on the purpose of the treatment. Vaginal suppositories may include moisturizers, hormones, vitamins, or antifungal medications.
Avoid any vaginal suppositories with artificial fragrances or flavors. These can lead to irritation, pain, or infection.
Benefits of Boric Acid SuppositoriesBoric acid suppositories work by promoting the acidic balance of the vagina. They may help to relieve yeast infection symptoms like burning and itching.
Common brands of boric acid suppositories include AZO Boric Acid with aloe vera and Hylafem.
Possible side effects of boric acid vaginal suppositories include redness, irritation, and vaginal discharge.
A CBD suppository is a vaginal suppository that contains CBD (cannabidiol), a compound from the cannabis plant that is not intoxicating. CBD does not produce a "high" as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) does. Promoters of CBD suppositories claim that these supplements can relieve vaginal pain and increase sexual pleasure. Research studies are needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of CBD vaginal suppositories.
How to Insert a Suppository ApplicatorInserting a vaginal suppository is simple but may take some practice. A suppository applicator will feel similar to applicators for menstrual period tampons.
Insert as follows:
Start by washing your hands and placing the suppository in the applicator.
Gently insert the applicator into your vagina as far as is comfortable.
From there, press the applicator's plunger to insert the suppository.
Once you have pressed the plunger as far as possible, gently remove it from your vagina and lie back for a few minutes.
Insertion Without an Applicator
Some vaginal suppositories do not have an applicator and must be inserted by hand. To insert a vaginal suppository without an applicator:
Start by washing your hands and then lying back with your knees bent.
Place the suppository on the tip of your finger and gently insert it into your vagina.
Press your finger into your vagina as far as is comfortable.
Then slowly remove your finger and lie back for a few minutes.
Studies show that vaginal suppositories have a higher absorption rate than vaginal creams or oral medications. To achieve this higher absorption rate, it is important to prevent the medication from leaking out of the vagina before it has been absorbed.
After inserting the suppository and removing the applicator, lying back for about 10 to 15 minutes is best. This allows the medication to absorb into the vaginal tissues without leaking out.
SummaryVaginal suppositories, also known as vaginal melts, are solid medications that are inserted into the vagina with a special applicator. Once inserted, the medication absorbs into the walls of the vagina. Common uses for vaginal suppositories include treatment for yeast infections and vaginal dryness.
Many vaginal suppositories are available at pharmacies without a prescription. To improve the absorption, plan to lie down for about 10 to 15 minutes after inserting the suppository.
Who Should Not Take Miconazole Vaginal?
The following conditions are contraindicated with this drug. Check with your physician if you have any of the following:
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Support Your Health With The Best Vaginal Suppositories
The top vaginal suppositories in 2023 require a special tool, known as an applicator, to apply the suppository inside your lower region. Read on to learn more about this important and useful tool when applying medication down there.
What Are Vaginal Suppositories and Applicators?A vaginal suppository is a certain type of medication. It is inserted into the vagina and is used to treat certain medical conditions. The reason behind using suppositories in the vagina is that unlike taking the suppository through your mouth, it is absorbed into the bloodstream much faster. This can help treat certain conditions much quicker.
Now, you can technically insert a suppository into your vagina by hand, but the best way to do it would be through the use of an applicator. Applicators are designed to be inserted into the orifice that they were made for (in this case, the vagina), and they help ease the suppository inside your vagina without issue. Applicators help you easily and safely insert suppositories.
Why Do You Need a Vaginal Suppository Applicator? It makes inserting suppositories very easyIf you've ever tried inserting a suppository with your hands, you probably know how difficult and, more importantly, how uncomfortable they can be. Suppositories feel weird in your body, to begin with, as you're basically having a foreign element inside your body. However, with a special applicator, you'll at least ease your burdens slightly.
The advantage of suppository applicators is simple - it's designed to hold the pills and medications. Unlike fingers, which are more general-use, applicators are made specifically for the task. As such, it's only a matter of putting the medication in the applicator, inserting the applicator into your vagina, and pulling it out. There are far fewer variables to worry about, and the whole process is simple enough that any adult can do it without issue.
It's safer than inserting it by handOne of the major problems with inserting suppositories by hand is that you may end up moving your fingers a bit too much while inside. This may lead to some complications, and in the worst of cases, even lead to injury. You obviously want to avoid that, as you're doing this to cure a condition and not make things worse.
Suppository applicators are made to be safe for insertion. They contain no sharp edges, and they even have a little handle that makes it very easy to pull the applicator out when needed. Even in the worst possible scenario, where the applicator may go completely inside your vagina, it'll be fairly easy to extract by a medical professional.
It's sanitaryNow, we're confident that if you ever have to use a suppository and you need to insert it with your hand, you'll wash your hands first. But it's still not as clean as using pharmacy-grade applicators that are made to be as clean as possible. While your hands are used for all sorts of things, these applicators are squeaky clean, and you can use them without worry.
What's more, these applicators are designed to be disposable, so once you use them, you can throw them away and get use another one. This makes it even more sanitary, as you won't end up using the same applicator more than once.
Things to Consider When Buying a Vaginal Suppository Applicator Number of applicatorsBecause vaginal suppository applicators are made to be disposable, you'll want to consider how many applicators you're buying at once. Ideally, you'll be buying enough applicators to cover all your medication, with a few extra applicators just in case. When planning ahead, calculate the number of applicators you need by multiplying the number of suppositories you need to take per day times the number of days that you need to take them. Then, add a few extras just for insurance, and you've got your ideal amount.
Now, this won't always result in a number that's readily available, and there's a chance that you may even have to buy more than one pack of applicators. Even so, as long as you have sufficient applicators, you'll be good to go, and you won't have to order any more applicators until you're prescribed a different medication in the future.
SizeNow, there are quite a few suppository applicators that try to cater to as many pill and tablet sizes as possible, but not all of them do fit. Some suppositories can be too large for typical applicators, and others may be too small. Ask your doctor the size of the suppositories that you'll be using, and see if you can find a matching applicator online. When in doubt, you can either go for brands with the largest room for tablets or ones that market their applicators as those that can fit most suppository brands.
Even with the varying sizes of suppositories and applicators, you really shouldn't feel that much of a difference. So don't worry if you have to get large applicators for your medications, as they aren't as scary to insert as you think.
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