Are Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories Good for Treating Yeast Infections?
Pain during sex, itching, burning, and thick, white discharge that your doctor will describe as cottage cheese-like
we’re talking about yeast infections
If you’re a woman, chances are you’ve had one. And if you haven’t had one, chances are you’ll get one at some point in your life.
You’re even more likely to suffer from this uncomfortable vaginal infection if you’re pregnant, have diabetes, or have disrupted your vaginal ecosystem in any way. When confronted with this uncomfortable feminine issue, many women seek out yeast infection treatments like boric acid vaginal suppositories or boric acid capsules. We’re going to explain what boric acid vaginal suppositories are, if they work, and even some additional suggestions for at-home yeast infection treatments.
However, before we get there, it’s important to understand why yeast infections happen. That way, you can help prevent them from coming back in the future.
When Candida Takes Over
A yeast infection happens when the microscopic fungus Candida takes over. Yeast can multiply with a change in pH or hormone balance. Candida is healthy as long as it’s present in small amounts. When too much yeast grows, it leads to that itchy, burning, and uncomfortable yeast infection. Candida usually lives on your skin, in the mouth, and in your gut. It typically doesn’t cause any issues unless it enters your bloodstream or internal organs. In this way, vaginal yeast infections are somewhat unique due to how common they are and how a slight growth of Candida can cause such a ruckus!
So, what causes Candida to grow out of control? Let’s first start with some things that aren’t really in your control.
Hard to Change Yeast Infection Causes
There are a few things that make you more likely to get yeast infections, and they’re not very easy to change.
These include:
- Being pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Having diabetes with uncontrolled blood sugar
- Having a weak immune system, such as from HIV
- Being between puberty and menopause
- Having had an organ transplant
- Having a significant illness, such as AIDS, cancer, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or rheumatoid arthritis (Urology Care Foundation)
- Having a long hospital stay
- Using a catheter for an extended time
- Being between ages 20-40
While these factors aren’t exactly easy to change for yeast infection prevention, there are a multitude of other things that are. If you’re naturally at a higher risk for yeast infections, it’s even more critical that you do everything you can to prevent further risks.
Yeast Infection Causes You Can Do Something About
If you want to have children, being at a higher risk for yeast infections isn’t a huge deal. After all, the pregnancy will end. However, if you’re going about your everyday life doing activities that are likely to cause yeast infections, you should know about it!
Here are some common causes of yeast infections:
- Taking a hormonal birth control that has higher doses of estrogen
- Doing hormone therapy for menopause
- Douching
- Having sex
- Using vaginal sprays or scented soaps
- Taking antibiotics or steroids
- Wearing tight-fitting pantyhose or underwear
- Using scented pads or tampons
- Taking very hot baths or spending extended periods in a hot tub
- Staying in wet clothing, such a swimsuit or gym outfit
Yeast infections always come back to a change in vaginal pH or a hormone imbalance. If you take high-estrogen birth control, that changes your hormone balance, which can lead to yeast infections (much like being pregnant or breastfeeding). If you take antibiotics, it wipes out the bacteria in your vagina – the good and the bad – which screws up your pH balance. Using scented soaps or tampons do the same thing.
What Are Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories?
Boric acid is a white powder that has antifungal properties. Research suggests that boric acid may prevent the fungus responsible for yeast infections (C. albicans and C. glabrata) from growing. Boric acid has an effect on the yeast’s life cycle, which prevents it from getting out of control and causing a nasty yeast infection. Boric acid vaginal suppositories are generally sold as a gelatin capsule that contains 600 mg of boric acid. It should be used once a day for 1-2 weeks as a second line of treatment. According to the CDC, boric acid capsules should only be used if antifungal drugs or ointments aren’t treating the yeast infection first.
Are Boric Acid Capsules Effective Against Yeast Infections?
Research has shown that boric acid may be effective in treating yeast infections caused by Candida overgrowth. Generally, boric acid is used as a last attempt when typical yeast infection treatments and creams aren’t working. Boric acid is reported to be an option for women with recurrent or chronic yeast infections. It may also be an option for women who have started to develop resistance to antibiotics. According to the results of 14 studies, the cure rates of boric acid to treat yeast infections vary from 40-100%. However, none of these studies reported any difference in the recurrence rates of yeast infections. In other words, boric acid may be able to treat and cure your current yeast infection, but it has no long-lasting effect of preventing them from coming back again and again.
Boric Acid Capsules Side Effects
Boric acid capsules do have some side effects, though they actually have fewer side effects than other over-the-counter ointments used to treat yeast infections.
- Hives
- Vaginal discharge described as watery
- Burning after insertion
- Redness and swelling
- Overall vaginal discomfort
Less common side effects may include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Nausea
- Fever
- PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
Some research even indicates that the use of boric acid capsules could lead to STDs, heart disease, and even a blood vessel disorder.
Dangers of Using Boric Acid Capsules to Treat Yeast Infections
While boric acid may be an at-home treatment option for yeast infections, there are a few important dangers to consider:
- Boric acid needs more research: it’s unclear how much boric acid you need – and how long you should take it. One study followed women who used boric acid for 2 weeks versus 3 weeks with virtually no difference in the outcomes.
- Boric acid is toxic: though it’s rare, if you use boric acid incorrectly, it can lead to death. Many prefer using treatment options that are all-natural and non-toxic for peace of mind.
- Boric acid can make open wounds worse: you can’t use boric acid if you have any open wounds in the vaginal area. Yeast infections often cause itchiness, and if you happen to scratch that itch too much, it could lead to an open wound that boric acid can make even worse.
- Boric acid doesn’t stop chronic or recurrent yeast infections: boric acid only treats the current bout of yeast infection. It’s not a long-term solution to a severe pH balance issue in the vagina.
- Boric acid is toxic to your developing fetus: you can’t use boric acid capsules if you’re pregnant. It is toxic to the developing fetus and could cause severe complications.
While boric acid does seem like a promising alternative to other yeast infection treatment options, we think we can do better.
All-Natural Yeast Infection Treatments
The problem with OTC drugs and oral medications as a yeast infection treatment is that sure, they get rid of your yeast infection this time, but what about next time? Also, fungi like Candida can become resistant over time. Trina Pagano of WebMD explains that even if you don’t have a yeast infection and use antifungal medication, it can make future yeast infection treatment even more difficult. If you seem to get yeast infections often, it’s not only annoying, but it’s embarrassing and inconvenient. Finding ways to prevent yeast infections from ever happening is ideal, which is why many women have turned to natural, at-home yeast infection treatments that aren’t full of the dangers of boric acid vaginal suppositories.
All-Natural (Non-Prescription!) Yeast Infection Treatment
Many studies have found natural yeast infection treatments to be effective, including:.
For example, one study published in Mol Cell Biochem found that oregano extract completely inhibits the growth of C. Albicans or Candida albicans. Candida is the type of yeast that can cause yeast infections. Several studies have linked Caprylic acid to urinary tract prevention and Candida prevention. It has the ability to support the good bacteria in your body while also balancing your pH levels.
Cellulase is a class of enzymes that actually have the power to break apart the cell walls of Candida. This can help prevent yeast infections.
Aloe Vera has been linked to yeast infection prevention, and it can also prevent the growth of unhealthy bacteria.
The husk of the black walnut has been used as a natural medicine for centuries, and we’re just now realizing the power it has when it comes to fighting off Candida.
Black walnut hulls are antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-parasitic. Ultimately, black walnut hulls can help restore the pH in your body by promoting the good bacteria and fighting off the bad stuff. Wormwood, an herb, has been proven to kill bacteria and fungi. This makes it an excellent candidate for yeast infection treatment.
We recommend considering an all-natural supplement that combines all of these powerhouse probiotics and enzymes. In our opinion, the feminine health supplement that fits the bill is called Balance Complex.
Take Balance Complex Daily for Yeast Infection Treatment and Prevention
Balance Complex contains 4 billion CFU/G of L. Acidophilus, a maximum-strength probiotic which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the vagina. In a 2007 study, L. Acidophilus rebalanced the vaginal pH levels of nearly every woman analyzed.
Balance Complex also contains more than ten naturally occurring ingredients (no chemicals or synthetic ingredients!) that studies have linked to yeast infection treatment and prevention.
Balance Complex is:
- 100% natural – no chemicals or synthetic materials
- Maximum-strength
- Made in the USA
- Formulated and produced in an FDA-registered lab and GMP-certified facility
- Backed by AFT – Advanced Formulation Technology
- Over the counter yeast infection treatment – no prescription required
If you want to halt your reliance on prescription drugs and antibiotics – and stop recurring yeast infections for good – consider trying an all-natural alternative. It is also not plagued with some of the side effects and dangers of boric acid capsules! Balance Complex should be taken daily to keep your pH levels balanced. The supplement not only treats any existing yeast infection symptoms, but it stops the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the future.
Praise for Balance Complex
I was able to get rid of a yeast infection
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on November 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
My search to find something for post-menopause issues has finally come to an end. After taking 2 a day for the last 3 weeks, I was able to get rid of a yeast infection, and haven’t suffered a UTI. I would recommend this to anyone that is in that stage of life.*
Comment | One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? 
Report Abuse
These supplements have totally rebalanced me
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on January 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
This product has been such a relief for me!! Since using this, I have not had any yeast infections, UTI’s, vaginal dryness/itching, dryness or pain during sex, etc. These supplements have totally rebalanced me down there.*
Comment | One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Report Abuse
I finally felt relief
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on January 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have suffered from bacterial and yeast infections for years. My doctor and I have tried every prescription out there. If they didn’t make me ill, they just didn’t work. Within 2 weeks, for the first time in YEARS, I finally felt relief from my symptoms and healthy again. *
Comment | One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Report Abuse
A Deeper Look at Common Causes of Yeast Infections
While we’ve briefly covered what causes yeast infections, some of the common causes require a more in-depth look. Changing your diet, understanding antibiotics, adjusting your birth control, and even controlling your stress can help prevent yeast infections. Making these adjustments to your lifestyle can function as a yeast infection treatment plan if you follow through and are committed to stopping yeast infections permanently.
Your Diet
In today’s fast-paced, high demand world, it can be challenging to maintain a proper diet. When you’re always on the go, particularly as a college student or full-time mom, worrying about your food can be the last thing on your mind. It’s easier to eat something quick, indulge in some fast food, and eat something with a lot of sugar to keep going throughout the day. What most women don’t realize after the first time they get a yeast infection is that food choices can very likely be the reason for the imbalance.
Many doctors will first ask yeast infection patients if they’ve recently eaten a lot of desserts or carb-heavy treats. Yeast feeds off of sugar and glucose, so indulging too much can be the cause of the infection.
Another long-term result of overeating sugar is a weakened immune system.
Most times, your immune system helps in keeping the Candida at bay. When you’re consuming more and more of the glucose, your immune system isn’t appropriately fed and can’t do its job. A weakened immune system leads to more Candida and, eventually, the yeast infection with all of its nasty symptoms.
After your first experience, it’s essential to make sure you’re feeding your body the nutrition it needs for optimal health. Once you’ve had a yeast infection one time, the chances of getting it again are over 50%. Just by cutting out sugar and processed carbs, you’ll drastically lower the possibility of a yeast infection reoccurrence.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics wipe out all bacteria, including the good bacteria that help balance your vaginal flora. An antibiotic regimen tends to get rid of whatever infection you have, but other infections and issues can arise as a result.
Women who have experience bacterial vaginosis, or BV, know this firsthand.
There are other side effects of taking antibiotics, such as a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, and vomiting. Most importantly, the long-term consequences of always relying on prescription antibiotics and even over-the-counter creams for yeast infection treatment is that your body can build up a resistance to them.
If you aren’t taking steps to prevent the infection, these yeast infection treatments will become less effective over time as the Candida learns and adapts to resist the medication. Instead of relying on antibiotics to always be there, we recommend taking a proactive approach. If you can focus your efforts on prevention, antibiotics will no longer pose a problem for your long-term health.
Birth Control Pills
Another seemingly little-talked about the trigger of yeast infections is birth control pills. What happens when you’re taking contraceptives daily is the balance in your stomach is disrupted. Your stomach relies on a balance of many microorganisms and yeast which helps break down foods for us. The right balance of chemicals is needed as well to support this digestion. Birth control pills throw off this delicate balance in your stomach and make it easier for an overgrowth of Candida to occur. The main ingredients found in contraceptive pills are estrogen, which is something that helps Candida grow to abnormal levels. Many doctors should tell you the higher chance of yeast infections while on birth control pills. If you take birth control that’s high in estrogen, it may be worth talking to your doctor about alternatives, such as birth control based on progesterone.
Stress
Something you wouldn’t think about as being the cause of physical discomfort is stress. Sure, it weighs you down mentally and can cause you to be more worried or anxious than usual, but producing a yeast infection? When we’re going through a stressful situation, our bodies release cortisol, which is a hormone that depresses your immune system. In turn, it also raises your blood sugar levels. What this release of blood sugar levels does is feed into Candida overgrowth. Sugars or glucose are the primary foods that can lead to yeast infections. With the combination of a less than able immune system and more sugar in your blood, your Candida levels will multiply, and yeast infections will be right around the corner. Yeast infections depend on an imbalance in your body to achieve this unwanted infection. Knowing what causes these imbalances is one of the many steps in making sure yeast infections never happen more than once.
At-Home Remedies for Yeast Infection Treatment
There are natural remedies and at-home yeast infection treatments available, but more often than not, they’re not being used or promoted as remedies and preventive solutions. Your OB-GYN is generally always going to throw you an antifungal medication for yeast infection treatment, which will help, but it does nothing towards assisting you in the future. It’s a quick fix solution, but it doesn’t restore your vaginal health. Rest assured that there are plenty of ways to proactively treat yeast infections and prevent them from ever coming back.
pH-Balancing Feminine Supplements
Like we mentioned previously, taking a daily feminine supplement that restores your vaginal pH balance is a great way to treat and prevent yeast infections from home.
They require no prescription, and they help thousands of women prevent not only yeast infections, but other common issues like bacterial vaginosis, PMS, and dryness. Balancing your vaginal pH can even help with menopausal symptoms and hormonal acne. We recommend Balance Complex, which contains 4 billion CFU/G of L. Acidophilus, a maximum-strength probiotic which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the vagina. Balance Complex also contains more than ten naturally occurring ingredients that are linked to the prevention, treatment, and curing of yeast infections.
Cranberries
Cranberries are an old-school yeast infection treatment that has been used for centuries. Its antifungal properties help fight off the bacteria that causes the infection. It’s also good for another infection that occurs in your urinary tract. Consider keeping cranberries at home; either the unsweetened juice or the tablets may do the trick.
Nutrition
Something that can always be a primary target for why a yeast infection begins is the foods you eat and don’t eat. The foods that are responsible for this pattern usually contain an abnormal amount of sugars. Once you cut those sugars out, you might find that yeast infections will be a thing of the past.
Probiotics
When dealing with something like yeast infections, it’s best to have probiotics as an integral part of your diet. Probiotics aren’t just found in yogurts – they’re available in tablet form and supplemental form as well. Prioritizing a yogurt diet and also implementing a probiotic supplement regimen is a defense that will keep your vaginal health in check and even prevent yeast infections. Among other things, the BV and UTIs will also have trouble ever conquering your vagina as well.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another antifungal ingredient that can function as a yeast infection treatment. Coconut oil is not only beneficial for yeast infection treatment but your overall health. Replace other oils with coconut oil, or even eat it on its own.
This powerhouse oil gets rid of all the fungi that multiply and cause the infection. The caprylic acid, which carries antifungal properties, goes above and beyond for potentially reducing the annoying yeast. The thing that makes coconut oil special is how it gets the balance of the good and the harmful bacteria in check.
Making coconut oil a staple in your diet is a stellar defense from yeast overgrowth.
Prevent Yeast Infections for Good
Of course, some medicines will help with yeast infection treatment, but there are natural solutions available that have more significant benefits. Informing yourself of the options available is the first step; implementing them is the other. Old habits die hard, and cutting down on sugars is a tough thing to ask of anyone. Finding healthier substitutes goes a long way in achieving a vaginal balance.
Even something as simple as a change in underwear fabrics can help a great deal. Going from a nylon-centric underwear wardrobe to a cotton-centric one will improve your vaginal balance leaps and bounds. Once you’ve experienced a yeast infection, let’s all agree that no one wants to see it come back ever again. Lifestyle changes always come at a price, but when we’re talking about something that brings a clean bill of health to your nether regions, it’s worth it.
To help you even further, we have compiled a free additional guide: 3 Easy Steps to Be Free of Yeast Infections. We have received fantastic feedback from it, and many consider it the ultimate reference manual to helping with yeast infection treatment and prevention. We will email it to you for FREE because we believe that you should always try the natural approach first.
Also, don’t forget to grab the 30% off Balance Complex coupon. Here’s what one happy customer had to say:
Really works!
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on August 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
“I have had BV for a full straight year with no breaks with the occasional yeast infection thrown in for fun. I’ve tried apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, grapefruit juice, chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide, all antibiotics, garlic, over 30 vitamins daily, blood work to check for deficiencies, boric acid, colloidal silver, drinking clay, psyllium husk, etc. Nothing has worked until now. Its the only thing that saved my freaking life and gave me back my confidence.”
Comment | One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Report Abuse
By Andrea on August 23, 2019
Report Abuse
Verified Purchase
NO PROBLEMS since taking this supplement – I’m absolutely delighted (and my partner is as well!)! I would HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone struggling with recurring BV or yeast infections.*
Comment | One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?