Yes, many suppositories are safe to use during pregnancy, but the answer depends on the type, the active ingredients, and what you’re treating. Some suppositories are not just safe but specifically prescribed during pregnancy, while others should be avoided entirely. Here’s what you need to know for each common use.
Glycerin Suppositories for Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common pregnancy complaints, and glycerin suppositories are a go-to option. They work locally in the rectum by drawing water into the stool, which softens it and triggers a bowel movement. Very little of the active ingredient is absorbed into your bloodstream, which is why they’re generally considered low-risk.
That said, glycerin suppositories are classified as pregnancy category C, meaning animal studies haven’t ruled out all risk and there aren’t large controlled studies in pregnant women. In practice, they’re widely used and recommended by OB-GYNs as a short-term fix. The standard dose is one to two adult suppositories, once or twice daily as needed. The key limitation: don’t use them for more than a week straight. Prolonged or frequent use can cause electrolyte imbalances or bowel dependency, where your body starts relying on them to have a bowel movement at all.
Stop using them and contact your provider if you notice rectal bleeding, muscle cramps, weakness, or dizziness. And if you have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting alongside your constipation, skip the suppository entirely, as those symptoms could point to something more serious like a bowel obstruction.
Bisacodyl Suppositories for Constipation
Bisacodyl is the stimulant laxative found in brands like Dulcolax. Unlike glycerin, which just softens stool, bisacodyl actively stimulates the muscles of your intestine to contract. This is where things get a bit more cautious during pregnancy. Stimulant laxatives can theoretically trigger uterine contractions, though this risk is considered low at standard rectal doses. Most providers recommend trying gentler options like glycerin, fiber supplements, or stool softeners first, and reserving bisacodyl for occasional use only.
Vaginal Suppositories for Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are more common during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts that change the vaginal environment. The CDC recommends treating them with topical antifungal suppositories or creams (miconazole or clotrimazole) applied for seven days. This is longer than the typical one- or three-day course used outside of pregnancy, but the extended treatment is more effective and keeps the dose lower per application.
What you should not use is the oral antifungal pill (fluconazole). Even a single 150 mg dose has been linked to spontaneous miscarriage and birth defects in epidemiologic studies. Vaginal suppositories bypass this risk almost entirely because the medication stays local, with minimal absorption into the bloodstream. Over-the-counter seven-day miconazole or clotrimazole kits are the standard recommendation.
Boric Acid Suppositories Are Not Safe
Boric acid vaginal suppositories have become popular for recurrent yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, but they are contraindicated in pregnancy. Multiple major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, and Canadian STI guidelines, all advise against use during pregnancy. At least two human studies have raised concerns about potential birth defects, and the existing data is too limited to consider them safe. If you’ve been using boric acid suppositories and discover you’re pregnant, stop and let your provider know.
Hemorrhoid Suppositories
Hemorrhoids affect a significant number of pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, as the uterus puts increasing pressure on pelvic veins. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid suppositories typically contain one of two active ingredients: hydrocortisone (a steroid that reduces inflammation) or phenylephrine (a decongestant that shrinks swollen blood vessels).
Hydrocortisone suppositories are pregnancy category C. In animal studies, even low doses of topical steroids increased fetal abnormalities, though there are no well-controlled studies in humans. The general guidance is to use them only if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, and to avoid prolonged use, high doses, or extensive application. A few days of occasional use for severe discomfort is very different from weeks of daily use.
Phenylephrine, found in products like Preparation H, constricts blood vessels. The theoretical concern is that it could reduce blood flow through the placenta. However, studies of more than 1,500 people who used phenylephrine in the first trimester did not find an increased rate of birth defects. If you have high blood pressure or preeclampsia, phenylephrine deserves extra caution since it can raise blood pressure further.
For milder hemorrhoids, the Mayo Clinic suggests starting with witch hazel medicated pads applied to the area, which are considered safe during pregnancy. You can also ask your provider to recommend a specific hemorrhoid cream or suppository appropriate for your situation.
Progesterone Vaginal Suppositories
Unlike every other suppository on this list, progesterone vaginal inserts are prescribed specifically because you’re pregnant. They’re used in certain situations to help support the pregnancy, most commonly in women undergoing fertility treatments or those with a shortened cervix and a history of preterm birth.
It’s worth knowing that ACOG updated its guidance in 2023: vaginal progesterone is only recommended for women who have both a prior preterm birth and a shortened cervix. For women with a history of preterm birth but a normal cervix length, vaginal progesterone has not been shown to reduce the chance of delivering early again. If your provider prescribed progesterone suppositories, the most common side effects are mild, including vaginal discharge, irritation, or light spotting. Report unusual discharge with a strong odor or significant itching, as that could signal an infection rather than a side effect.
How to Insert a Suppository Comfortably
As your pregnancy progresses and your abdomen grows, positioning matters more. For rectal suppositories, lie on your side with your bottom leg straight and your top leg bent forward toward your stomach. This position works well even with a larger belly. Gently insert the suppository pointed end first, pushing it completely past the sphincter muscle. Hold your buttocks together for a few seconds, then stay lying down for about 15 minutes so the suppository doesn’t slip out before it dissolves.
For vaginal suppositories, the same side-lying position works. Some women find it easier to insert while lying on their back with knees bent, especially earlier in pregnancy. By the third trimester, the side-lying position is typically more comfortable and avoids putting pressure on the large vein that runs behind your uterus.
Why Absorption Matters
The reason suppositories are often safer than pills during pregnancy comes down to how much medication enters your bloodstream. When you swallow a pill, the drug passes through your digestive system and gets absorbed into your circulation, where it can cross the placenta and reach the baby. Small, fat-soluble molecules cross the placenta especially easily.
Suppositories designed for local action, like glycerin in the rectum or miconazole in the vagina, deliver medication directly where it’s needed. Only a small fraction enters systemic circulation. This is why vaginal antifungal suppositories are recommended while the oral antifungal pill is not: same class of medication, dramatically different exposure to the baby. That said, “local” doesn’t mean zero absorption. Some medication always enters the bloodstream, which is why even topical products carry pregnancy precautions and why prolonged or excessive use of any suppository warrants a conversation with your provider.