Boric Acid: A New Approach to Treating Yeast Infection
For years, boric acid suppositories for bv were known as potent adjuvants that helped people recover from this condition faster. Although it was, and it still is, an off-the-counter medicine, boric acid should not be underestimated.
Boric acid was used for centuries as a disinfectant on wounds, cuts, or scratches since it is known as a powerful bacteria killer. Maybe that’s precisely the reason why experts thought about them for treating bacterial vaginosis. But what about yeast infections?
How does boric acid work when it comes to treating severe yeast infections? How should these suppositories be inserted, and are there any risks for using them? These are only some of the questions that are going to be answered in this article, so stay tuned and let’s delve deeper into it!
If you’ve experienced a yeast infection before, then you know exactly how unpleasant it can get! Itching, swelling, burning pain while urinating or having intercourse are just some of the symptoms that a person suffering from yeast infection experiences. It is incredibly uncomfortable, especially if you get it in the middle of the summer when the high temperatures make you sweat a lot.
Usually, when yeast infection occurs, your doctor will recommend antifungal medicine, and all that’s left to do afterward is to hope that it will be effective. Some yeast strains have become drug-resistant, and it might be pretty tough to recover after getting infected with one of them. That’s where boric acid suppositories come in!
‘Why is boric acid so popular?’, you might ask. The truth is that it also has mild antifungal and antiviral properties more than its antiseptic effect, which makes it perfect for treating medical conditions like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.
The way it works is pretty simple, too. Boric acid is encapsulated in gelatin capsules that dissolve in time, and after inserting them, they release the compound into your vagina. Being an OTC (off-the-counter) medicine, boric acid is thought to be on the natural side of alternative medicine. That’s why its popularity increased over the years.
It all comes down to the natural pH of the vagina. The vagina has a natural self-cleaning mechanism that flushes out bad bacteria and makes sure that the vaginal flora is in good condition to help you maintain your general health condition. Some external factors and some natural factors can throw off the vaginal pH, causing a chemical imbalance.
So, in a way, boric acid helps maintain the natural pH levels of your vagina since it has a similar pH. The natural pH levels of the vagina range from 3.4 to 4.5, meaning that it is a mildly acidic environment.
If the pH rises, becoming more alkaline, the environment becomes perfect for bacterial cultures, making you prone to developing bacterial vaginosis. It is essential to schedule an appointment with your health care provider before taking any type of treatment.
Usually, the doctors’ first choice regarding bacterial vaginosis is an antibiotic. Still, lately, the trend is showing that they have started to recommend both using antibiotics and boric acid suppositories as an adjuvant.
Things get a little bit more complicated for medical conditions like yeast infections, especially if we are talking about a recurring infection. Studies have shown that a two-week treatment period with one boric acid suppository a day, inserted at the same hour every day, effectively cures recurring yeast infections. Boric acid is a safe alternative, and it also has an affordable price, with many people choosing even to make it at home.
Because of their busy schedule, many women find it easier to insert the boric acid suppository before bedtime. This way, they also avoid unwanted leaks during the day, and they feel better and fresh in the morning.
There are, of course, other things that you should keep in mind while using the boric acid capsule. Although you might feel better after the first three days of treatment, you should continue medication to make sure that the medical condition you had is completely healed.
Never take any sort of medication before consulting with your health care provider about the dosage, the frequency, and the duration of the treatment. They should also help you choose the type of medication that best fits your condition.
If we are talking about a mild infection that throws the pH levels off the hook, it is only logical to think about a substance that restores the normal, acidic level of the vaginal pH. If the suppositories show little to no effect, consult your doctor, and try another type of treatment.
Although in most of the cases boric acid suppositories were perfectly safe, there are some side effects that you could experience while using them. First of all, you should keep in mind not to use boric acid capsules if you have a wound, a bump, or an irritation on your sensitive area. You might experience burns after inserting the suppository, and it might make you feel uncomfortable.
If those symptoms do not go away after the insertion of the capsule, then you should stop following the treatment and seek medical advice. You should never get new medication on your own, a doctor should always make sure that the medication fits your medical condition, and it is perfectly safe for you. They should also decide the dosage and the frequency of administration as well as the time of treatment.
If you are suffering from an acute infection, your doctor might recommend you inserting boric acid capsules twice a day. Don’t worry, it is completely safe!
We hope that this little piece of advice might come in handy if you are experiencing mild cases of bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. Boric acid suppositories have proved to be effective on minor symptoms of these conditions. Still, if they persist, you should schedule a check-up with your health care provider to ensure that you are following the proper treatment.
