Flowerfairy (Tennessee ) on 07/20/2016
First, I've been prone to yeast infections since being on birth control pill. I stopped taking the pill 3 years ago but still will get occasional yeast infections. I found after my first yeast infection that none of the drug store creams worked or would appear to be working and than my yeast infection would return. (I know it was yeast because it smelled like yeast and was accompanied by thick white discharge and itching).
So, I discovered probiotics, apple cider vinager, organic coconut oil and hydrogen peroxide all relieved my yeast infections. Fast forward to last month when I got the WORST yeast infection of my life. Sorry for the TMI but it was so bad that I got a rash on my butt crack and my labia was so swollen and all my usual remedies made things worse.
It had a very yeasty smell and I was sure I got it from eating to much cake and bread (I'm vegan and usually stay away from gluten and sugar but last month I indulged.....a lot). I also had been working and sweating outside, not able to change right away.
Anyways, my period started and the yeast infection seemed to get much better and a day after my period ended it came back with a vengeance. I was crying and miserable and decided to try ice. (I had mini ice cubes, so they were perfect). I rubbed ice outside of my vagina and put a mini ice cube inside as well. It gave me instant relief but I new it wasn't a cure.
I finally decided to try what I had always been scared to try before: boric acid. I was desperate. All I could get was the Borax from the laundry isle. It is a naturally occurring mineral (Sodium tetraborate) and that is the only ingredient listed on the box.
I emptied out my vegetarian probiotics capsule into my water and filled the empty capsule with Borax. I than placed the capsule into my vagina. It tingled a little at first but than I felt relief. It was amazing! I did this 3 to 4 times a day and always had one in overnight. It made my discharge watery, so I would advise using some sort of panty liner. The yeast smell was gone, the itch was gone, the swelling was gone. It was amazing! I did this for 7 days and than stopped.
Borax saved me and I'm so thankful! I just wanted to write about my experience just in case it may help someone else.
Replied By Jj (Us) on 03/28/2017
Replied By Moray (New York) on 12/24/2021
Replied By Patty (Orange County, CA) on 12/17/2022
In 1972, my doctor recommended I douche with 20 mule team borax. It was effective then and likely the ingredients still work now. I stumbled on this old conversation and wanted to add my experience in the hope it would help others. I recommend seeing and following a doctor's advice but can confirm this douche was once highly recommended and effective.
Replied By Rob (Kentucky) on 12/10/2025
DIY Boric Acid Douche for Yeast Infection:Boric acid vaginal suppositories/douche are primarily used to treat recurrent vaginal yeast infections, particularly when other antifungal medications haven't been effective, as they possess antifungal properties that can help balance vaginal pH and potentially reduce the growth of candida yeast causing the infection.
Some experts now recommend vaginal Boric Acid capsules/douche as a treatment option for vaginal yeast/bacterial infections BV, particularly infections that can't be cured by antifungal yeast infection medicines. Boric acid is an extremely effective natural cure for BV, or bacterial vaginosis, when used properly.
The CDC reports that this regimen has clinical and mycologic (branch of biology that deals with fungi) eradication rates of approximately 70 percent. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care has even found that vaginal boric acid suppositories were more effective against candida symptoms in diabetic women than an oral azole medication.
Some studies reveal that it can cure up to 70 out of 100 women.
Non–albicans Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Because approximately 50% of women with a positive culture for non–albicans Candida might be minimally symptomatic or have no symptoms, and because successful treatment is often difficult, clinicians should make every effort to exclude other causes of vaginal symptoms for women with non–albicans yeast (1148). The optimal treatment of non–albicans VVC remains unknown; however, a longer duration of therapy (7–14 days) with a nonfluconazole azole regimen (oral or topical) is recommended. If recurrence occurs, 600 mg of boric acid in a gelatin capsule administered vaginally once daily for 3 weeks is indicated. This regimen has clinical and mycologic eradication rates of approximately 70% (1149). If symptoms recur, referral to a specialist is advised.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/candidiasis.htm
How to Make Boric Acid Douche for Yeast Infection:
Boric acid douche can also be used to fight the yeast infection. Yeast infection is one of the most common infections of the vagina. Boric acid homemade douche can be prepared by using 1 teaspoon full boric acid dissolved into one pint of clean water (16.5 oz). This boric acid solution can be used as a douche and can be used for irrigation of the vaginal area.
The standard yeast infection treatment is typically done for two weeks, and then to help prevent the infection from coming back you can use a 300 milligram boric acid capsule for five days each month beginning the first day of the menstrual cycle for at least six months. After six months you should stop using the boric acid and if another infection develops, see your doctor.