You have a vaginitis diagnosis, and you want to do whatever you can to cure it. It can be a frustrating experience, but one way to keep infections at bay is to maintain a healthy vaginal balance by keeping the pH level in your body balanced (by using probiotics and other healthy foods), avoiding STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia, and practicing safe sex.

Boric acid for bacterial vaginosis is an ingredient in several over-the-counter antifungal suppositories and can help prevent or get rid of BV, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection). You insert these suppositories into your vagina by lying on your back or standing with bent knees and gently inserting a capsule as far into your vagina as it will comfortably go.

The Power of Boric Acid for Treating Bacterial Vaginosis: Everything You Need to Know

BV is caused when the bacterial community in your vagina overgrows and changes the vaginal pH. When this happens, you can experience symptoms like itching, burning, vaginal discharge, and a strong fishy odor.

If you already have a BV diagnosis, you can usually treat the infection with antibiotics. But sometimes, even with antibiotics in place, BV can recur.

The good news is that boric acid can be used to prevent recurrences of BV, according to research. When combined with antibiotics, boric acid may have an 80 percent to 90 percent cure rate after about a month of treatment.

While some people swear by this compound to knock out recurrent yeast infections and BV, the jury is still out on its safety. If you’re considering trying it, talk to your doctor before doing so.