Is Boric Acid Good For Your Vaginal Health?

Reactions can be confusing when doctors advise women to use boric acid suppositories to improve vaginal health. The common use of acid makes all acids corrosive. However, the vagina has a naturally acidic environment. A healthy vagina has a pH of about six or seven thanks to lactic acid production by the normal vaginal flora.

The naturally acidic vaginal pH helps in keeping the vagina healthy and odor-free. A healthy range of pH reduces the growth of many pathogens, including those commonly related to sexually transmitted diseases. When pH is disrupted by other vaginal health conditions such as infections or bacterial vaginosis, this can contribute to unhealthy organism overgrowth. This is when boric acid suppositories may help.

What is Boric Acid?

Boric Acid helps to promote appropriate acid equilibrium in the vagina. It is used to treat yeast infections and relieve symptoms such as itching, abnormal discharge, and burning sensations. It can be used for other purposes, such as:

• Antiseptic
• Eyewash
• Insect repellant
• Anti-fungal

Is boric acid effective in treating bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is any and every woman’s worst nightmare. Why? Because something as little as the wrong soap, a tampon, or a panty shield can alter the pH of the vagina and can give way to BV (which results in a fish odor).

Studies have shown that standard antibiotic treatment for BV usually results in a cure rate of 70 to 80 percent after one month of treatment. Women who used boric acid with conventional treatment showed a cure rate of 88% at seven weeks and 92% at 12 weeks. It is suggested that boric acid suppositories work by removing bacteria from the vagina.

Boric acid is a good remedy for the treatment of vulvar vaginal candidiasis. The cure rate of boric acid ranged from 40 to 100 percent. However, this does not explicitly focus on the bacteria that cause BV. While these results are promising, further research is needed to confirm that boric acid is an effective adjuvant treatment for BV.

How to use Boric Acid?

Boric acid is for vaginal and other uses. It is not to be taken orally and should be used topically.

• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Best if used at bedtime unless directed by your doctor to take any other time of the day.
• Do not use boric acid more often than instructed.
• Do not stop using this boric acid without the advice of your doctor.

Precautions:

• In the case of your child, talk to your pediatrician about using this medicine. This drug is not approved for use in children.
• If you think you have taken this medicine too much, contact the Poison Control Center or the Emergency Department immediately.
• The medicine is for you only. Please do not share it with others.

Possible side effects of vaginal boric acid

Get urgent medical assistance if you have any signs of an allergic reaction (dyspnea, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat). Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if:

• Burning sensation in the vagina.
• High fever.
• New or worsening symptoms (itch, vaginal discharge, etc.).
• Symptoms that disappear and come back.

The common side-effects are:

• Redness, mild burning.
• Itchy feeling of the vagina.
• Watery vaginal discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and may cause other problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacy on side effects to be sure you are aware of these other side effects.

 If you have multiple yeast infections or your current condition persists, boric acid suppositories may permanently eliminate the infection. Talk to your doctor about this treatment option and how it can help.