Understanding Boric Acid: From its Origins to Its Uses

While the thought of “acid” in your vagina might not be pleasant, boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is a very weak acid derived from boron. It is used for all kinds of things, including an insecticide, flame retardant, and even a preservative. 

But women, and especially women who struggle with vaginal infections, are most familiar with boric acid as a treatment for yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis or BV. Boric acid helps treat these infections by disrupting the cell walls of the fungi or bacteria causing the infection, essentially killing them off. However, boric acid also kills the good bacteria living in your vagina, which can lead to imbalances in your vaginal flora and vaginal pH. 

Boric Acid and Vaginal Health

Can boric acid improve your overall vaginal health? Not really, no. If someone is experiencing minor BV symptoms every now and again, occasional boric acid suppositories can help clear these symptoms.  But if you are struggling with chronic BV due to imbalances in your microbiome, boric acid will not restore these imbalances. In fact, it can contribute to them. 

While boric acid has long been seen as an alternative when first-line treatments like antifungals and antibiotics don’t completely clear the infection or in the case of recurrent infection, recent studies have shown that frequent boric acid use can negatively impact your vaginal health. That’s because it kills the good bacteria in your microbiome along with the bad, making you more prone to reinfection.

Using Boric Acid Safely

If your doctor recommends boric acid to treat a yeast infection or BV, there are some things you need to know to use the suppository safely and effectively. 

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the suppository.
2. Insert the suppository into your vagina using an applicator or a finger.
3. Follow the dosage instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Also, a bit of a tip here: insert the suppository right before you go to bed, so it can dissolve overnight and not leak. 

And when it comes to sex after a suppository, wait at least 24 hours after inserting a boric acid suppository before engaging in any sexual activity. This gives the boric acid time to work effectively and helps avoid irritation. 

If you are concerned about the frequency with which your doctor is prescribing boric acid, ask them about other proven alternatives, like probiotics, that have been shown to restore your vaginal pH to help end vaginal infections. 

Risks and Side Effects of Boric Acid

While boric acid is widely used, it is not without possible side effects. These include:

• Vaginal burning
• Vaginal redness
• Burning & itching sensation
• Watery discharge

In rare cases, people experience more extreme reactions to boric acid. Stop using boric acid and seek immediate medical care if you ever experience: 

• Allergic reaction
• Swelling
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing

Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant since boric acid can be toxic to the developing fetus and can contribute to reproductive issues. And never use boric acid if you have open wounds or sores in the vaginal area. 

Alternatives to Boric Acid and Preventative Measures

While boric acid is often used as an alternative to anti-fungal creams or prescriptions like fluconazole, there is another, more effective alternative, one that doesn’t just treat the symptoms of vaginal infections but gets at the root cause: vaginal probiotics. 

Probiotics are good bacteria. They live on almost every organ in your body and keep things functioning as they should. In the vagina, the probiotic Lactobacillus releases lactic acid, which can help kill infection-causing bacteria.  You can get Lactobacillus naturally through foods like yogurt, but if you are suffering from chronic vaginal infections and need to restore your vaginal microbiome, look into a probiotic like Happy V’s that contains clinically proven strains of probiotics at clinically proven doses. This will make sure you are getting the levels of probiotics you need to restore your microbiome and end the cycle of infection.  

Also, make sure your vaginal hygiene is on point by doing things like: 

• Washing your vulva regularly with warm water and unscented soap
• Wearing breathable, cotton underwear
• Not douching

When to Consult a Doctor

As a rule of thumb, you should always consult a doctor before using boric acid. Boric acid is typically not the most appropriate first-line treatment for vaginal infections, so your doctor may want to prescribe you an anti-fungal or antibiotics instead. 

Also, you might think you know the infection you are trying to treat, but the symptoms of many vaginal infections and STIs overlap, so you should confirm a diagnosis with your doctor before beginning any treatment. 

Remember that if your doctor does suggest boric acid, it is meant to be inserted into the vagina (NEVER taken orally!) and that you should schedule a follow-up if you feel like symptoms are worsening or the infection keeps coming back. 

Popular FAQs about Boric Acid

Can you pee after inserting boric acid?

Definitely, and holding in your pee is actually bad for your vaginal health! Just remember that while the boric acid is dissolving, you may experience slight burning while you pee. 

How many times a day should I insert boric acid?

Only your healthcare provider can answer this question. Ask them and use it exactly as directed. 

Why do I have so much watery discharge?

It’s not uncommon to experience watery discharge when using boring acid, especially during the initial application. However, if you feel like this watery discharge is lingering or is ever accompanied by other concerning symptoms, call your doctor. 

Taking Control of Your Health with Happy V

While boric acid can help clear minor vaginal infection symptoms, it cannot prevent reoccurrence, making it a short-term solution.  Probiotics like Happy V’s Prebiotic + Probiotic, on the other hand, can help keep infections at bay and improve your long-term vaginal health. 

That’s because, unlike boric acid, Happy V’s probiotics get to the root cause of your recurring infections, which is a lack of good, infection-fighting bacteria in the vagina, namely the probiotic Lactobacillus. In the vagina, Lactobacillus releases lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which helps maintain a healthy vaginal pH and kills bad bacteria before it can cause infection. 

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Conclusion

Boric acid can be useful for treating minor symptoms every now and again, but if you want to improve your vaginal health, the science has two clear pieces of advice: practice good vaginal hygiene and take daily probiotics.