DIY Health: Boric Acid for Vaginal Infections

Lately, boric acid has gotten a lot of buzz. But is the buzz just noise or actually justified?

The short answer: Boric acid might be helpful for recurrent and resistant vaginal infections, especially when combined with traditional antifungals and antibiotics. But, since boric acid is a relatively new trend in the self-treatment of BV and yeast infections, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of this trace mineral as well as its safety profile before busting it out to fight back against BV and yeast infections on your own.

A Word About BV + Yeast Infections

A yeast infection isn’t any fun. And neither is the goopy and gross mess caused by popular over-the-counter antifungal medications, like Miconazole (Monistat), Clotrimazole (Lotrimin), or Tioconazole (Vagistat). While these antifungal creams and suppositories have been proven safe and highly effective for average, everyday (hopefully not!) yeast infections, many people suffer from chronic yeast infections (4 or more per year) or more complicated infections caused by resistant or atypical strains of Candida and struggle to find a reliable add-on remedy to help.

Bacterial vaginosis - caused by overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria and characterized by a gray-white discharge with a fishy odor, painful urination, and itching or burning in the vagina - is also a common infection. Antibiotics (metronidazole, clindamycin) are considered first-line treatments and do a great job at clearing up a solitary case of BV. But many people suffer from recurrent BV as well and struggle to find a treatment regimen that works when BV doesn’t seem to ever go away.

That’s when boric acid can be a potential game-changer, especially for folks seeking a cheaper, home remedy to fight back when their bodies stage a battle between ‘good’ (healthy) and ‘evil’ (unhealthy) vaginal bacteria that can throw the delicate balance of vaginal pH levels into a tailspin leaving them vulnerable to both types of infections.

How Boric Acid Helps with Yeast Infections

• Antifungal properties
  Boric acid’s efficacy against yeast infections lies in its natural ability to disrupt the cell walls of yeast (usually Candida albicans), which hinders its growth and reproduction.
  
• Controlling resistant and atypical strains
  Boric acid’s mechanism of action differs from conventional antifungals, offering an alternative approach to treating yeast infections caused by resistant strains of fungus and atypical fungi, like Candida glabrata and Candida tropicales.
  
• Recurrent infection prevention and management
  Recurrent yeast infections can be a big challenge for some people, and boric acid has shown promise in preventing and managing these recurring episodes, providing relief for people who face chronic issues with yeast overgrowth.
  
• Restoring biome balance
  Boric acid helps restore the balance of vaginal microbiota by selectively targeting harmful fungi and sparing beneficial bacteria, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.

How Boric Acid Works Against Bacterial Vaginosis

• Antibacterial action
  Boric acid’s utility in combating BV lies in its ability to disrupt the bacterial biofilm, inhibiting the growth and persistence of unwanted unhealthy bacteria.
  
• Restoring pH balance
  BV is strongly associated with an imbalance in vaginal pH level, and boric acid helps restore the acidic pH of the vagina, creating an environment less conducive to overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
  
• Alternative for resistant cases
  In cases where standard antibiotic treatments for BV are less effective due to antibiotic resistance, boric acid offers an alternative strategy and mechanism of action, making it a potential option for managing resistant cases.

The Importance of Medical Guidance

Before starting boric acid therapy, it’s always best to contact your healthcare provider, especially if you suffer from recurrent or resistant vaginal infections. Care providers can often single out an accurate diagnosis of your infection and find the underlying cause(s), which allows them to tailor a treatment plan based on severity of symptoms, history, and response.

How to Use Boric Acid to Fight Vaginal Infections

Boric acid is available in capsules, suppositories, and topical solutions, but some people prefer to craft their own supply of suppositories. To do so, fill size 0 gelatin capsules with 600 mg of boric acid.

Whether you select pre-made or make your own, the recommended dosage is 600 milligrams per day for 7-14 days. Tia providers recommend using boric acid at the same time every day, bedtime is a popular time to insert vaginal boric acid.

Even if you notice some improvement after only a few days, you should take boric acid for the full 7-14 days to make sure that the infection does not reoccur.

As always, Tia recommends talking with your provider before beginning any type of at-home treatment for vaginal infections!

Side Effects and Safety Warnings

For the most part, side effects of boric acid are mild and rarely require medical attention. The most common side effect seen is vaginal irritation, redness, or burning. If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor can adjust concentration and/or duration of treatment.

Be forewarned: Sexual partners might experience skin irritation as well. And since boric acid can theoretically damage condoms and diaphragms and decrease the efficacy of spermicides, many care providers suggest skipping vaginal sex until treatment is finished.

Used as directed, as a suppository inserted in the vagina, boric acid is safe. But boric acid is highly toxic if swallowed. In fact, a single pill can cause irreversible organ damage and death. So, never take boric acid orally and make sure you keep your capsules in a safe place that is out of reach of children and animals.

Also, don’t take boric acid if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or think you might be pregnant. Boric acid, even absorbed through the vagina, can be fatal to a developing embryo.

The Takeaway on Boric Acid

Boric acid is a versatile and effective tool for fighting yeast infections and BV, especially recurrent cases or resistant infections caused by strains of fungi and bacteria that don’t respond to typical treatments. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties offer an alternative approach to conventional treatments, but its use requires careful consideration and medical guidance to ensure safety and efficacy. Boric acid, with its dual-action capacities and well-established track record, is an important ally in this quest for options and optimal vaginal health!