Boric acid has come on the scene as a popular topic and if you’re anything like most of us, you have a lot of questions about it. Our Saalt team was asking the same questions you are - “What is boric acid?” “What’s it for?” “Is boric acid safe?” - so we decided to do a little research!
With more and more people turning to natural alternatives for their health, it’s no surprise that people are looking to the past to see what was used before we had so many options available at the nearest drug store or pharmacy.
Boric acid is a natural chemical that has antifungal and antiviral properties, making it a popular choice to treat vaginal infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. It is also used to help with balancing acid in the vaginal canal and combatting symptoms such as burning and itching. One thing that many appreciate about this treatment is that it generally comes with minimal side effects. Per the Journal of Women’s Health, researchers have found that boric acid can be used as an alternative for treating infections such as vulvovaginal candidiasis and it’s a treatment that has been used for over 100 years. (That’s a long time!)
One other use people are looking to boric acid for is vaginal odor. Many companies state that as boric acid balances the vaginal pH into the normal acidic range, it also combats unwanted odors. Vaginas are not odorless. Odor can be the body’s signal of where one is in their cycle, evidence that things are working properly, or maybe indicate that something could be amiss. It is so important to pay attention to your body’s signals (such as any odors) and speak with your medical provider if you have any concerns. And remember, each person’s vaginal flora is unique. :)
Boric acid can currently be found over the counter in gelatin capsules called vaginal suppositories. These capsules are then inserted into the vagina where they treat the infection directly. Vaginal suppositories are only intended to be used vaginally and should never be ingested by mouth as this can be toxic. They also should not be used during pregnancy, if you have any open wounds in your vaginal canal, or if you have certain medical conditions. So again, we would recommend reaching out to your provider if you have any interest or specific questions about this form of treatment. As with any other vaginal infection or treatment, we would recommend not using your cup or disc while using boric acid.
We love sharing our research but please remember that while we may be Saalt experts, we are not medical experts. If you have any specific questions regarding an infection or the benefits/risks of using any form of treatment (we bet you can guess where we are going with this!), we recommend that you consult your physician.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/boric-acid-for-yeast-infection#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
- https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/can-boric-acid-help-treat-bacterial-vaginosis#:~:text=Boric%20acid%2C%20one%20of%20the,both%20antifungal%20and%20antiviral%20properties.
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19641-boric-acid-vaginal-suppository
