Boric acid in vaginal suppository form is considered an effective alternative treatment for vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and trichomoniasis.
Used in suppository form, it is a cost-effective, over-the-counter natural medication that not only treats vaginal infections but also prevents them from recurring. Keep reading to learn more about boric acid suppositories for vaginal health.
What Is Boric Acid?
Boric acid originates from the element boron and forms a compound of boron, oxygen, and hydrogen in a white powder form. Known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, it has been used for centuries to treat infections and improve female reproductive health.
Although its popularity decreased with the rise of modern medicine and antibiotics, boric acid is once again becoming popular as an alternative treatment for vaginal health due to its natural benefits, lack of side effects, and cost-effectiveness.
How Do Vaginal Infections Occur?
A healthy vaginal environment typically maintains pH levels between 3.8 and 5.0. This mildly acidic environment allows for beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria to coexist in a balanced way that keeps the vagina healthy.
When harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses outgrow beneficial microbes in the vagina, pH levels are typically altered and the vaginal environment becomes more alkaline. This alkaline environment allows an infection to set in, causing symptoms like genital irritation, itching, inflammation, redness, unusual vaginal discharge, and unpleasant odors among others.
Boric Acid and Vaginal Health
According to studies, boric acid vaginal suppositories can destroy harmful microbes, restore healthy vaginal pH levels, and prevent recurring infections without any of the side effects connected to traditional antibiotics. When it comes to vaginal health, boric acid suppositories are most commonly prescribed for treating bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infections.
Boric Acid for Yeast Infections
Medically known as vaginal candidiasis or thrush, a yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans. This fungus naturally grows in the vagina and other parts of the body in a harmless way, but when it overgrows, it usually causes an infection.
Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include genital itching and redness, a burning sensation when peeing, pain during sex, and a white, lumpy, odorless vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese.
Taking antibiotics for another condition can cause an overgrowth of candida albicans, as can hormone fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause. A weakened immune system, uncontrolled diabetes, and oral contraceptives are other known contributors to the development of yeast infections.
Antifungal medication or creams are the traditional medicine used for treating yeast infections and symptoms often clear within 7-10 days. Unfortunately, yeast infections often reoccur for several reasons.
>> Learn more about Boric Acid for Yeast Infections
When the initial infection was not completely eradicated, for example, when vaginal pH levels were not fully restored, when blood sugar levels remain high, when the patient takes antibiotics for another condition, or hormones continue to fluctuate.
That being said, studies have revealed that when boric acid suppositories were used in conjunction with antifungal medication or cream, recurring yeast infections were prevented in over 90% of women who had previously struggled with frequent reoccurrences.
Boric Acid for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Triggered by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria known as Gardnerella Vaginalis, BV is a vaginal infection that is common in sexually active women. Although it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, BV is considered more prevalent in women with several sexual partners.
The exact cause of BV is known, and for many women it is asymptomatic, detected only during routine pelvic exams. When symptoms do occur, they typically include genital itching, pain during sex, a burning sensation when urinating, and a grey or white vaginal discharge with a fishy odor that becomes more prominent after sex.
Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat BV, but in addition to uncomfortable side effects for some women, the antibiotics can often mean the onset of a yeast infection on top of BV. Recurring infections are also known to occur in as many as 50% of women within 12 months of treatment for BV.
However, studies have shown that when Boric Acid suppositories are used in conjunction with antibiotics for BV, yeast infections, and recurring BV infections are prevented in 92% of women.
Boric Acid for Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis, which is also referred to as trich, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed from penis to vagina, vagina to penis, or vagina to vagina. It is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas Vaginalis, which is passed from one person to another during unprotected sex.
Most people with trichomoniasis experience no symptoms and are unaware they have the infection until they are tested for STIs. Women who do feel symptoms often experience genital itching, pain during sex, a burning sensation when peeing, and vaginal discharge that is white, green, or yellow with a fishy smell.
The antibiotics used to treat trichomoniasis can result in side effects for some women that include dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and a metallic taste in the mouth. As with BV, the use of antibiotics can also destroy beneficial bacteria along with harmful microbes, resulting in a yeast infection on top of the STI. Moreover, 1 in 5 women experience a recurring trich infection within 3 months of treatment, requiring a further course of antibiotics.
When it comes to eradicating trich permanently, medical studies have shown that boric acid for trichomoniasis is a successful and safe alternative treatment without any of the side effects of antibiotics or the risk of a yeast infection.
How Boric Acid Suppositories Are Used
Boric acid suppositories, like our 100% natural Boric Balance, are easy to insert with the help of the applicators that are provided with the medication. It’s important to wash your hands before use to prevent any further harmful microbes from entering the vagina and after use to prevent the spread of infection.
Laying on your back with the knees open is considered one of the easiest ways to insert vaginal suppositories, but it is also perfectly fine to find your preferred position. It’s also advisable to wear a panty liner after inserting suppositories to catch any vaginal discharge.
How often and for how long boric acid suppositories should be used depends on each patient, their underlying infection, and whether they are prone to recurring infections. In this regard, female health experts recommend seeking advice from your healthcare provider.
Do Boric Acid Suppositories Cause Any Side Effects?
Boric acid suppositories are for vaginal use and should never be taken orally. Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant are advised against using boric acid suppositories to protect the fetus. It’s also important to inform healthcare providers about any other medication you are taking to avoid any medicinal interactions.
A small percentage of women have reported increased genital irritation from using boric acid suppositories, but it is very rare. Should you notice any increase in the level of vaginal irritation, stop using the suppositories and schedule a check-up with your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Boric acid suppositories are a safe and effective alternative medicine for treating vaginal infections like BV, trichomoniasis, and yeast infections. Whether it is your first vaginal infection or a recurring infection that is not responding to traditional medication, speak with your healthcare provider about using boric acid suppositories to restore and maintain your vaginal health.
References
Medicine Net – What Is Boric Acid Used For? - https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_boric_acid_used_for/article.htm
National Library of Medicine - Vaginal pH Value for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Vaginitis - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618584/
Web MD – Bacterial Vaginosis - https://www.webmd.com/women/what-is-bacterial-vaginosis
Biomed Central - BASIC study: is intravaginal boric acid non-inferior to metronidazole in symptomatic bacterial vaginosis? - https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-015-0852-5
Johns Hopkins – Yeast Infection - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/candidiasis-yeast-infection
Wiley Online Library - Antifungal activity of boric acid, triclosan and zinc oxide against different clinically relevant Candida species - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/myc.13302
Mayo Clinic - Trichomoniasis - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609
Journal of The American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association - https://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/fulltext/2014/12000/the_antimicrobial_effect_of_boric_acid_on.6.aspx
National Library of Medicine - Clinicians’ use of Intravaginal Boric Acid Maintenance Therapy for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6878170/