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HEALTHY
Boric Acid for Bacterial Vaginosis and Other Home Remedies
bacterial vaginosis ( BV ) is a common infection that ’ s normally triggered by a change in your vaginal ph. When your ph is out of balance it can change the symmetry of the unlike kinds of bacteria that naturally live in your vagina. This can cause an giantism of the Gardenerella vaginalis bacteria — the most common bacteria in your vagina. What can cause your vaginal ph to change ? Some of the most common reasons include :
- douching, using vaginal deodorants, or scented tampons
- hormonal changes including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause
- having sex with a new partner
Antibiotics are normally effective at treating BV, but sometimes the infection can keep coming rear, even after rounds of discussion. There are some natural remedies that, when used together with antibiotics, may help cure BV and prevent it from recurring. One choice is boric acid, which is derived from boron, an chemical element typically found in minerals. hera ’ s a look at the effectiveness of boric acid, how to use it, and early home remedies that may help relieve the symptoms of BV.
Contents
What is boric acid?
Boric acid, one of the common boron compounds, is a natural chemical that has been used for over 100 years as a home remedy to help treat vaginal infections. In its natural form, boric acid is a white or colorless gunpowder or crystal, that has both fungicidal and antiviral properties. It ’ s available over the counter ( OTC ), and can be used for a wide variety of purposes including pest control and removing odors from your electric refrigerator. It can besides be put inside gelatin capsules that you insert into your vagina. due to its properties, boric acerb is a park component in many types of products including :
- astringents
- antiseptics
- medicated powders
- skin lotions
- eye wash solutions
Does boric acid work for treating bacterial vaginosis?
According to research, standard antibiotic treatment for BV typically results in a 70 to 80 percentage bring around rate after one month of treatment. In a 2009 paper, researchers gave women 600 magnesium of boric acidic, which was inserted into the vagina, along with antibiotic treatment. Participants who used the boric acid along with the usual treatment had an 88 percentage bring around rate at seven weeks, and a 92 percentage remedy rate at 12 weeks. The authors of the analyze suggest that boric acerb might work by removing bacterial mucus from the vagina. By doing this, it may help get rid of disease-causing organisms that antibiotics have a hard time destroy. In a review published in 2011, researchers looked at 14 different studies that involved using boric acerb to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis. The cure rates with boric acid ranged from 40 to 100 percentage. This reappraisal, however, did not specifically focus on the bacteria that causes BV. While these results are encouraging, more studies need to be done to confirm that boric acid is, in fact, an effective accessory treatment for BV.
Is it safe to use?
Boric acid is considered safe to use vaginally. But it can be toxic if it ’ randomness swallowed. Never take boric acidic by mouthpiece, and make certain it ’ randomness kept out of compass of children and pets. Seek aesculapian care immediately if you think you or person in your family has ingested the chemical. Boric acidic should not be used during pregnancy. Before using boric acidic, speak to your doctor of the church to make sure it is safe for you, and ask about dosing instructions .
How to use boric acid suppositories
Boric acerb is available OTC and is relatively cheap. For treatment of vaginal infections, boric acid comes in gelatin capsules, which you insert into your vagina. To do this :
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Lie on your back with bent knees, or stand with your knees bent.
- Gently insert one capsule as far as it will comfortably go into your vagina. You can use your fingers or a provided applicator.
- Dispose of the applicator (if you used one). Don’t reuse it.
- You might want to wear a panty liner to absorb any discharge.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
You can besides make your own boric acid suppositories by filling size 0 gelatin capsules with about 600 mg of boric acid. The usual dose is 600 milligram per day, which is taken for 7 to 14 days .
Other home remedies
It ’ sulfur significant to note that douching won ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate help oneself BV. In fact, it can make it worse, or cause it to come bet on. The be family remedies have some research to support their potency with treating BV symptoms or reducing the casual of it recurring but the datum is not super solid, so it is always best to consult with your doctor .
Hydrogen peroxide
In a 2003 sketch, researchers reported that using hydrogen hydrogen peroxide daily for a workweek helped eliminate symptoms of BV arsenic efficaciously as traditional therapies .
Probiotics
Some studies have suggested that the function of probiotics may prevent bacterial vaginosis from coming back. Probiotics come in pill or liquid forms. They ’ re besides found in yogurt .
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential petroleum that has antibacterial and fungicidal properties. One small analyze found that the oil efficaciously killed BV bacteria in the lab. Tea tree oil is very concentrate and should be diluted before applying. It is besides available as a suppository merchandise that you can buy OTC.
When to see a doctor
See your healthcare supplier if you think you might have BV. common symptoms to look out for include :
- a foul-smelling, “fishy” vaginal odor
- vaginal itching or burning
- discharge that’s thin, gray, white, or green
- a burning feeling when you urinate
The bottom line
If antibiotics alone don ’ thymine seem to be able to kick your BV, you may want to give boric acid a try. Although research is limited, it does seem to help improve the remedy rate of vaginal yeast infections. spill the beans to your doctor of the church if you have symptoms of BV and want to give boric acerb a attempt .