Infection and Drug Resistance | Volume 15 - Dove Press Open ...

Can You Use Boric Acid For Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

Boric acid vaginal suppositories are considered safe and sometimes used to treat recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) when combined with antibiotics. Though you could use boric acid for BV, you shouldn't do so without talking to a healthcare provider first. Read on to learn more.

Boric acid is a white powder derived from the element boron. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. You can find boric acid as an ingredient in household cleaners and insecticides—or as a pest killer or laundry stain-remover. Boric acid is also available as an OTC suppository for balancing vaginal pH, bacteria, and yeasts when inserted into the vagina. Some boric acid suppositories also claim to control vaginal odor and contain additional ingredients like aloe and tea tree oil. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve these products. OTC boric acid suppositories are sold as homeopathic products, meaning the FDA has not evaluated their safety and effectiveness. peakSTOCK/Getty Images BV can be frustrating if you have recurrent infections after antibiotic treatment. Studies show that using boric acid suppositories with antibiotics as a complementary or preventive treatment can help treat some recurrent BV infections. Research on how effective boric acid is in treating BV is still limited. Additionally, using boric acid suppositories alone probably won't cure your infection. One review found that combining antibiotic treatment and 300- to 600-milligram (mg) boric acid suppositories twice a week helped treat recurrent BV and yeast infections. Using boric acid suppositories alone was ineffective. The exact way boric acid works to help treat BV also isn't fully understood. One theory is that it can help eliminate bacteria that cause the infection. Antibiotics in cream, gel, or pill form are still the most effective BV treatment since they kill the infection. Common effective antibiotics for BV treatment are clindamycin or metronidazole. These antibiotics can be safely used to treat pregnant individuals with BV. For most people, inserting boric acid suppositories into the vagina is safe. You should not use boric acid suppositories if treating BV while pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Boric acid is harmful if taken orally. Ingesting 30 grams (g) of boric acid is considered toxic—less than the typical 600mg used in boric acid suppositories. There is no evidence that boric acid suppositories can be poisonous when used vaginally. Possible side effects from boric acid vaginal suppositories include mild vaginal irritation or watery discharge. Still, always chat with a healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you to use a boric acid suppository to help treat your BV. If a healthcare provider says you can use boric acid, you can find OTC boric acid suppositories at your local pharmacy or drugstore. Most boric acid suppositories come in 600-milligram doses that you insert once daily for one to two weeks. A healthcare provider may also suggest a different treatment plan based on your case. To use boric acid if you have BV: Wash and dry your hands before inserting a boric acid vaginal suppository. With clean, dry fingers—or a provided disposable applicator—insert one capsule into your vagina as far up as comfortable. It can be helpful to lie down with your knees bent or slightly squatting Then throw out your applicator if you used one and rewash your hands. Some folks also like to wear a pad or panty liner to help collect any discharge from the suppository. You will also want to avoid having sex while using boric acid suppositories and treating BV. Even though BV is the most common vaginal infection, the exact cause isn't understood beyond bacteria overgrowth. Douching or having new or multiple partners may increase your risk of BV since these activities can disrupt vaginal bacteria. If you're prone to BV, the following may help prevent infections: Avoiding douches and scented vaginal products Using condoms and dental dams Wearing cotton underwear See a healthcare provider if you have BV and start treatment immediately. BV symptoms to look for may include: A strong fishy odor Burning Itching Unusual white or gray discharge You'll also want to see a healthcare provider if your BV symptoms don't improve or you experience pelvic pain or a fever. Not treating BV can increase your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having BV while pregnant can cause premature birth and low-birth weight. While BV is not considered an STI, if your partner has a vagina, they may be at risk of BV. They should also visit a healthcare provider to get tested for BV and receive treatment if they have it. Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for BV. However, there may be a role for boric acid suppositories, a homeopathic product intended for vaginal use. While the research on boric acid for BV is limited, boric acid suppositories may be part of a treatment plan for repeated infections. While considered generally safe, these capsules can cause mild skin irritation and be fatal if consumed orally. Pregnant people and those trying to get pregnant should not use boric acid suppositories. Talk to a healthcare provider before using boric acid suppositories for BV.

A Doctor Reveals 5 Things She Would Never Do, Which Will Save You Money And Stress

Dr. Raj Arora is a family doctor who specializes in skincare.

She recently shared the things she would never do as a doctor in a TikTok video.

They include never using certain feminine hygiene and skincare products.

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A doctor shared five things she would never do, from using feminine hygiene products to needlessly taking antibiotics.

Below is what Dr. Raj Arora, a general practitioner for the UK's National Health Service and skincare specialist, advised against in a TikTok video, which was viewed 1.5 million times.

Use a physical exfoliant or scrub

Arora advises against using any scrubs or physical exfoliant products for the skin that you can buy in drugstores. 

She says "most of these products are way too abrasive for your skin, and can cause micro-tears and early skin aging."

Insider previously reported that most dermatologists recommend chemical exfoliators over physical ones.

Use female hygiene products

"Womanly parts are self cleansing," and some feminine hygiene products can actually do more harm than good, says Arora.

Arora says that she would not use perfumed products and sprays or douche. That's because they can alter the body's natural pH, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis.

"Just leave it alone, use simply water," she advises.

Waste money on branded painkillers

Arora says she would never buy over-the-counter painkillers, saying "the active ingredient is exactly the same" in cheaper unbranded products.

"Save your money and go for the non-branded options," Arora says.

Take antibiotics for a viral illness

Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, but they will not work on viruses. For viral illnesses, you will generally get better with time if you have a cough or cold, or you might need antivirals for conditions such as the flu, shingles, or HPV. 

"If you take antibiotics when they're not needed, you're going to do more harm than good," Arora says. This is because "antibiotics can deplete the normal healthy gut bacteria that you need for immunity and for wellness," she said. 

Overusing these drugs can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, which can make infections harder to treat, as Insider previously reported. 

Rely on Google for medical advice or diagnoses

Arora does not recommend typing your symptoms into a search engine, because "this can come up with lots of different diagnoses, and most of them will be anxiety-inducing and stressful to read."

"If you have symptoms, it's important to go to your doctor and to get the advice you need from a medical professional."

Of course, if you have been given resources by your doctor or a health professional, Arora says it's totally okay to find those online.

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