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Boric Acid Suppositories Why Doctors Advise Against Use for Vaginal Odor or Discomfort
As you may have seen on TikTok, boric acid suppositories placed in the vagina can help treat certain types of vaginal infections, but using them beyond that can throw off the vagina’s healthy bacteria balance. By Cathy GarrardMedically Reviewed by Kara Leigh Smythe, MDReviewed: September 6, 2022Medically ReviewedYou don’t need personal care products to balance or freshen up your vagina.Getty ImagesBoric acid suppositories have long been recommended by ob-gyns and health practitioners to help treat persistent or recurring vaginal issues like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Recently, some TikTok influencers have been promoting the idea that these capsules are a must-try miracle fix that can do everything from managing vaginal odor and discomfort, to curing vaginal dryness, to keeping you feeling fresh down there all day.
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Ryan Garcia 3 minutes ago
Is this a novel idea or a medical emergency waiting to happen? Here's what experts think ab...
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Alexander Wang 3 minutes ago
Medical experts say there isn’t any evidence that using boric acid suppositories will help with ma...
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Sophie Martin Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
Is this a novel idea or a medical emergency waiting to happen? Here's what experts think about this social media fad. Should You Follow This Boric-Acid-As-Cure-All Advice
The answer is a definitive no.
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Aria Nguyen 10 minutes ago
Medical experts say there isn’t any evidence that using boric acid suppositories will help with ma...
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Lucas Martinez 4 minutes ago
“Cleansing the vagina by any means threatens that balance and potentially increases the risk for v...
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Ella Rodriguez Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
Medical experts say there isn’t any evidence that using boric acid suppositories will help with many of the symptoms or conditions the TikTok videos claim to improve. Beyond that, they could worsen the health of your vagina. “The bacterial flora of the vagina is a delicate balance that naturally protects the vagina,” says Jen Villavicencio, MD, lead for equity transformation at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
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Daniel Kumar 6 minutes ago
“Cleansing the vagina by any means threatens that balance and potentially increases the risk for v...
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Grace Liu 4 minutes ago
Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Villavicencio adds that the broad availability of other products t...
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Harper Kim Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
“Cleansing the vagina by any means threatens that balance and potentially increases the risk for vaginal infections, vaginitis, and vaginal injury. If you are struggling with a vaginal issue, consult a healthcare provider with experience in vaginal healthcare.”
What’s more, most of the personal products promoted as a way to “balance out yeast,” and “eliminate odor” are not regulated by the U.S.
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Nathan Chen 3 minutes ago
Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Villavicencio adds that the broad availability of other products t...
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David Cohen 1 minutes ago
Vaginal Symptoms That Call for Medical Care
“If someone is experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms, ...
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Sophie Martin Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Villavicencio adds that the broad availability of other products that claim to balance vaginal pH and provide all-day freshness are also unnecessary, since the vagina is primarily self-cleansing.
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Sophia Chen Member
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Vaginal Symptoms That Call for Medical Care
“If someone is experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms, such as itching, increased discharge, or a new odor, seek the counsel of a healthcare professional that can appropriately diagnose the issue and recommend proper treatment. For routine vulvar hygiene, we recommend only the use of water or unscented soaps, and only for external use,” she says.
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Sophia Chen 2 minutes ago
Diagnosis and treatment is key. Untreated, some vaginal infections with symptoms of odor or itching ...
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Brandon Kumar 2 minutes ago
It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties and can be found in household cleaners, i...
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Oliver Taylor Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
Diagnosis and treatment is key. Untreated, some vaginal infections with symptoms of odor or itching can lead to serious problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or infertility. What Are Boric Acid Suppositories
The popular TikTok videos and claims may be new, but boric acid suppositories have been around for decades. Boric acid is a white powder derived from the element boron.
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Brandon Kumar 5 minutes ago
It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties and can be found in household cleaners, i...
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Madison Singh 2 minutes ago
It is simple: Boric acid is inexpensive, well tolerated, and allows the user to treat themselves wit...
It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties and can be found in household cleaners, insecticides, and laundry stain removers. It is safe in the vagina as a bacterial or antifungal treatment but can be toxic when taken orally, so it should never be taken by mouth. (Do not ingest!)
The appeal of these suppositories?
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Isabella Johnson Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
It is simple: Boric acid is inexpensive, well tolerated, and allows the user to treat themselves without a doctor’s visit or prescription. What Can Boric Acid Suppositories Treat Safely
Boric acid suppositories aren’t unhealthy for the vagina if they are used as directed for an appropriate diagnosed condition. Many different types of vaginal infections can occur; the suppositories can help relieve symptoms of itching and burning for infections caused by less common fungal strains.
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Emma Wilson 43 minutes ago
Perhaps most importantly, boric acid suppositories may not help relieve symptoms as well or as quick...
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Amelia Singh Moderator
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50 minutes ago
Friday, 09 May 2025
Perhaps most importantly, boric acid suppositories may not help relieve symptoms as well or as quickly as a prescribed treatment or better targeted OTC inserts. Vaginal Yeast Infections Candidiasis
Boric acid is a solid therapy for recurring vaginal yeast infections or infections with atypical yeast species, such as Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis, according to the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington.
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Charlotte Lee 20 minutes ago
However, most yeast infections are caused by a different species, Candida albans. To treat a recurre...
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Mason Rodriguez 29 minutes ago
While the capsules are not harmful to the vagina as a yeast infection treatment, they should never b...
However, most yeast infections are caused by a different species, Candida albans. To treat a recurrent yeast infection, place one boric acid capsule in your vagina nightly before bed for two weeks, or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
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Sebastian Silva 30 minutes ago
While the capsules are not harmful to the vagina as a yeast infection treatment, they should never b...
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Chloe Santos 15 minutes ago
Bacterial Vaginosis BV
While not as well studied as in yeast infections, boric acid may also provi...
While the capsules are not harmful to the vagina as a yeast infection treatment, they should never be taken orally. An animal study published in Frontiers In Immunology suggested that 5 percent boric acid gels can also be an effective treatment.
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Charlotte Lee 32 minutes ago
Bacterial Vaginosis BV
While not as well studied as in yeast infections, boric acid may also provi...
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Sophie Martin Member
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13 minutes ago
Friday, 09 May 2025
Bacterial Vaginosis BV
While not as well studied as in yeast infections, boric acid may also provide relief for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, particularly when taken in conjunction with other therapies. According to research published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases boric acid — used along with 500 milligrams of nitroimidazole, an antibiotic used to treat infections — improved symptoms in 92 out of 93 patients included in the study. Recommendations for the Use of Boric Acid Suppositories
Pregnant people should not use boric acid suppositories.
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Joseph Kim 7 minutes ago
Talk to your doctor before you use boric acid if you have any of the following:DiabetesFrequent infe...
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Oliver Taylor 4 minutes ago
The Risks of Medical Misinformation vs the Benefits of Reliable Sources
TikTok may be addictive, bu...
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Chloe Santos Moderator
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56 minutes ago
Friday, 09 May 2025
Talk to your doctor before you use boric acid if you have any of the following:DiabetesFrequent infectionsHIV/AIDSImmune system problemsAn unusual or allergic reaction to boric acid, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Concerned About Vaginal Symptoms or Your Vaginal Health
Make an in-person or telehealth appointment with your ob-gyn or other healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of itching or burning that may be a sign of a yeast infection or BV. If you don’t have easy access to an ob-gyn, Planned Parenthood offers free or affordable telemedicine options for women both on their website and their app.
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Oliver Taylor Member
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45 minutes ago
Friday, 09 May 2025
The Risks of Medical Misinformation vs the Benefits of Reliable Sources
TikTok may be addictive, but their videos are no substitute for proper medical advice — and can even prove outright dangerous. “The spread of medical misinformation, myths, and fallacies is harmful for patients,” says Christopher M.
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Audrey Mueller Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
Zahn, MD, chief for clinical practice at ACOG. “People seeking information about their health online should refer only to reliable, reputable sources.
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Chloe Santos Moderator
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34 minutes ago
Friday, 09 May 2025
"Just because information is online or on social media doesn’t mean that it is true, or based on any reliable medical evidence. It is a sad reality that some people intentionally disseminate false information or simply decide to share unproven medical allegations without confirming the truth."
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