boric acid: white acid used as a weak antiseptic and fire retardant (noun)
For better or worse, people are getting medical content from social media. Let’s just say it’s not always accurate.
First, first us always it is recommended to talk to your doctor before taking or ingesting any substance, even natural. (Especially the natural ones.)
The latest craze is putting boric acid on your *clean kitty*.
Some TikTokkers praise boric acid as the next best thing to your vagina. They claim boric acid is great for:
- yeast infections
- smell and odor
- itch
- bacterial vaginitis
- balancing pH levels
- general freshness
- peace for your spirit
Okay, the last three are stretching it. But the hype around these products is huge, whether you’re cruising around your favorite online retailer or scrolling through influencer videos.
And society has tried to make vaginas look dirty and smelly for years (hence the Lysol as soon as it is released on the market itself as a shower for feminine hygiene). Our culture has preached that vaginas = bad / smelly / bad.
So is boric acid legal?
Like many answers, it’s both yes and no. It’s not a complete prank like drinking your own urine, but you have to be realistic about what it can and can’t do.
See a health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner, if something (anything) is wrong with your so-called kitty. Many people misdiagnose if it’s their first rodeo with a vaginal infection. Therefore, if you notice any strange symptoms with your vagina or discharge, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Do this before you buy Any over-the-counter treatments for yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis;
Boric acid is not a cure for your vagina. There are a few things it can do under the right conditions, but many of the so-called benefits are unproven. And it can actually hurt your vagina. (I know it’s poisonous if you take it by mouth, so don’t take it.)
One of my favorite health debunkers is Dr. Jen Gunter, a vocal gynecologist who busts bad myths like nobody’s business. In The Gulf BibleDr. Gunter says that while boric acid can help some resistant forms of yeast infections and some cases of recurrent bacterial vaginosis, it should be considered a last resort because it is toxic to cells. (That’s how it works.)
In other words, check with your doctor or nurse if you can’t shake a vaginal infection and need to resort to something different.
The dosage for current yeast infections, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada:
Boric acid 300–600 mg gelatin capsule intravaginally once daily for 14 days. Less mucosal irritation occurred when 300 mg was used. About 80% efficiency. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
It also recommends a maintenance treatment with:
300 mg capsule intravaginally for 5 days every month starting on the first day of the menstrual cycle. Recurrence occurred in 30% during treatment.
Note that pregnancy and boric acid do not go together. (There are other treatments available.) If you are pregnant, consult a health care provider before taking Any treatment, since some are helpful and some are not. But please get treatment. Bacterial vaginitis, for example, can cause premature labor.
It is also not recommended to insert the following into your vagina: tea tree oil, garlic or yogurt (whether you are pregnant or not).
British guidelines are also similar.
The reality is that vaginas and vulva smell like vaginas and vulva. They can’t smell like peach, summer’s eve or tropical beach. They are not supposed to be as fresh as a loaf of bread. (Otherwise, they would have an expiration date.)
They have their own smell and no one should be ashamed of their natural smell. If it changes or you experience other strange symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatments for your particular condition.
Also, eating pineapple doesn’t change how you taste or smell.
Worried about feeling clean? A gentle cleanser for your vulva is all you need (eg Cetaphil). This will help any odor from the sweat glands in the groin and any urine or feces left behind. But don’t bombard your vulva with strong perfumes or strange ingredients. You can actually irritate your vulva and vagina and that, ironically, will make you smell worse.
As for wipes, Dr. Gunter recommends them only if you are incontinent of urine or poop. Otherwise, the irritation may not be worth it.
Vaginas are supposed to smell like vaginas and you don’t need to put boric acid in them to maintain vaginal health. If something goes wrong, see a professional, get the right advice and proceed with caution.
Finally, if you have ANY type of vaginal irritation, including a yeast infection or a bad reaction to something like boric acid, please be aware that you are at increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Again, proceed with caution and protect yourself.
But please be skeptical of medical advice on social media and follow sources with a medical background. (We enjoy TikTokkers @nicolealiciamd @dr.staci.t and @drjenniferlincoln)
Bibliographical references:
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of vulvar candidiasis.
Gunter, Jen. The Gulf Bible. Random House Canada, 2019.
Gunter, Jen. “What the vaginal boric acid speculators don’t want you to know.” April 26, 2021
Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian guidelines for sexually transmitted infections.
