Vaginal yeast infections

In 141 women with azole-refractory Candida glabrata vaginitis, topical boric acid 600 mg/day for 2–3 weeks achieved clinical and mycologic success in 64–71% of symptomatic cases across two sites.

Effect

Benefit

Duration

14 days

Dose

600 mg/day

Population

Women

Participants

141

A review of 13 patients with vaginal Trichosporon inkin found it was usually a non-pathogen; in one symptomatic case, boric acid treatment resolved symptoms and cleared the culture.

Population

Women

Participants

13

In 12 women (ages 32–63) with fluconazole-refractory Candida krusei vaginitis, boric acid achieved clinical and mycological cure in 4 of 6 treated patients; C. krusei is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole.

Effect

Benefit

Population

Women

Participants

12

Ages

32–63

In 22 women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis followed 1 year, maintenance boric acid and oral itraconazole showed similar symptom and culture rates during therapy (~12–15% positive), with ~55% relapsing within 6 months after stopping.

Effect

Benefit

Duration

1 year

Population

Women

Participants

22

A clinical review of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis notes that fewer than 5% of women experience recurrences, and long-term oral or topical antifungal prophylaxis may be needed because relapses are common once maintenance therapy stops.

Effect

Benefit

Population

Women

In 60 symptomatic women with Torulopsis glabrata vaginitis, vaginal boric acid 600 mg/day for 14 days produced clinical improvement in 81% and mycological eradication in 77% of episodes, outperforming azole therapies.

Effect

Benefit

Duration

14 days

Dose

600 mg/day

Population

Women

Participants

80

A brief report on boric acid vaginal suppositories for recurrent Candida vaginitis, describing formulation and use as an inexpensive alternative for azole-resistant infections.

In a double-blind trial of vulvovaginal candidiasis, 600 mg/day intravaginal boric acid for 14 days achieved 92% cure at 7–10 days and 72% at 30 days versus 64% and 50% with nystatin capsules.

Effect

Benefit

Duration

14 days

Dose

600 mg/day

Population

Women with vulvovaginal candidiasis

An early clinical report on intravaginal boric acid for vulvovaginal candidiasis, among the first documented uses of this therapy for refractory yeast infections.