Yeast infections: we’ve all had ‘em. Or, almost all of us. And usually the itching and irritation stops after a trip to the store for some over-the-counter vaginal cream and tablets and all is well, albeit, not without quite a bit of discomfort.
But for some, the store-bought stuff isn’t enough. That’s when a trip to the doctor is in order for those infections that have become drug-resistant and won’t go away.
Alternative treatments abound for yeast infections-‘out-there’ things like stuffing a piece of garlic up your crotch and walking around- but few get actual results.
Doctors now have an answer though that may bring surprise. Boric acid is being prescribed as an out-of–the-ordinary solution and it seems to be working.
As this interview on scientificamerican.com points out, boric acid is poisonous if ingested by humans and is used to get rid of cockroaches, but apparently it does the job that desperately needs doing, as a powerful antifungal.
Doctors are prescribing it for insertion in the vagina in 600-milligram capsules that are used for two-to-three weeks to clear things up for good.
Not convinced? While it may sound like something from the 1800s, the use of boric acid to treat yeast infections is supported by the CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines for treating yeast infections and is also talked about by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Personally, for times when it’s a choice between a clove of garlic in my insides and a capsule of a strong, proven antifungal, I think I’d go with the capsule. But there’s no harm in trying both, separately, I guess. As all you ladies know- anything that will make that nasty feeling go away is a keeper.
