Using vitamin C instead of boric acid due to breastfeeding

Boric Acid Vitamin C Vagina pH

TL;DR

Considering the safety concerns surrounding the use of boric acid for bacterial vaginosis treatments during breastfeeding, this article delves into the effectiveness and safety of Vitamin C as an alternative. Highlighting the unique properties of boric acid beyond its acidifying effects, it also presents Vitamin C as a potentially safer, more acidic option for maintaining vaginal health.

I am leery of using boric acid with my bacterial vaginosis treatments because I am breastfeeding. Probably the amount of boric acid which would be absorbed into the blood and introduced to the milk would be negligible, but I’d just prefer to avoid boric acid for now if possible.  Would Vitamin C be n OK substitute to perform the acidifying effect? 

Boric acid does more than just acidify the vagina – according to research [1. S.M. Prutting and J.D. Cerveny, Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories: A Brief Review, Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 6:191-194 (1998) (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.], boric acid has a bacteriostatic and fungistatic action (against fungi and bacteria), but they aren’t sure why, despite boric acid being a very weak acid that works at about the same pH as the vagina – it means it has more to it than just its acidity, which is why it’s very useful for the vagina.

However, vitamin C will work probably better to acidify the vagina since it is slightly more acidic, so yes it is safe to use as an alternative.

  • Vitamin C pH = 3
  • Boric Acid pH = between 7 and 10
  • Healthy Vagina = 3.5-4.5
Boric Acid Vitamin C Vagina pH


Jessica Lloyd - Vulvovaginal Specialist Naturopathic Practitioner, BHSc(N)

Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.

Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:

  • International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
  • International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
  • National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
  • New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
  • Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
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