Of its many uses, boric acid is most widely known as a remedy to vaginal problems, most especially bacterial vaginosis (BV). But how does it work? This article will guide you through the science behind it and solve your questions along the way, like how long to use boric acid for BV?
What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common kind of vaginal inflammation caused by the spread of bacteria that are naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance of good bacteria (lactobacilli). BV can happen to women of any age, but those in their reproductive years are more likely to get it at some point.
What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
BV happens due to the Gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that alters the chemistry of your vagina’s pH balance can disrupt bacteria levels and eventually lead to infection.
Some of these include:
- Having multiple sexual partners – The condition happens more often in women with multiple sexual partners. It also occurs more frequently in women who have sex with women.
- Douching – Rinsing out your vagina with water or a cleansing agent (douching) can sometimes do more harm, and it can upset the vagina’s natural balance.
- Lack of lactobacilli bacteria – Women are more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis when their natural vaginal environment doesn’t produce enough of the good lactobacilli bacteria.
Bacterial Vaginosis and Boric Acid – How Long Does Treatment Last?
Boric acid is a natural chemical used for its antifungal properties for over a century in many different home remedies for a variety of necessities, especially with vaginal problems like bacterial vaginosis, where boric acid is ingested as a vaginal suppository.
How long does the treatment normally last? Boric acid treatment for bacterial vaginosis usually depends on the length of time your physician might prescribe you to use them. However, the common prescription is to use one suppository (600mg) once per day and for a period of between 7 to 14 days. You should not exceed 3 weeks of usage.
How Long Should You Use Boric Acid For BV?
Insert one 600mg capsule at night for a period of 7-14 days. You should not use boric acid suppositories for more than 21 days.
*If vaginal irritation develops, it’s ok to try inserting boric acid every other night rather than nightly.
How Effective Is Boric Acid Against BV?
Various studies have attested to the efficacy of boric acid [suppositories] in treating bacterial vaginosis and other similar conditions. One such research found that boric acid was 50% effective in relieving the symptoms among those with recurrent BV. Up to 92% of women who used it with their standard antibiotic treatments reported the pairing to be highly effective.
Multiple studies have also tried to establish the effectiveness of combining boric acid treatments with probiotics, saying that it could successfully rebalance the healthy bacteria of the vagina. However, further research is needed to establish this claim fully.
In itself, boric acid, however, should not replace antibiotics as the principal treatment for eliminating bacterial vaginosis.
Is Boric Acid Safe?
When taking boric acid suppositories, it’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions religiously and go with the entire treatment to achieve its maximum benefits.
While boric acid is generally safe for use, boric acid can be highly toxic when taken orally or in high amounts, so it’s important to ingest them as prescribed and should be kept away from children and pets at all times. If you’re pregnant, your doctor would suggest you to avoid boric acid suppositories entirely in lieu of a more suitable form of treatment.
Final Thoughts
Taking boric acid as preventive care for bacterial vaginosis is safe, effective, and highly affordable, making it a popular prescription for women suffering from it. When paired with a consistent intake of antibiotics, a healthy diet, and regular check-ups, the easier the road to recovery would be.
If you have BV or suspect that you might have one, consult with your doctor immediately to discuss your BV treatment options so you can settle for one that will suit your health needs and lifestyle better.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
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