In social media posts that have scared health experts, women are urged to put a chemical used as a pesticide in their vaginas to stay “fresh.”
Popular American influencer Allison Hoeller’s videos praising the benefits of using the chemical boric acid in this way have racked up millions of views.
Hoeller, 28, said inserting a tablet into the vagina would also eliminate any “smell or taste.” Instead, it would “smell like water.”
But doctors told MailOnline there was no solid evidence behind the claim and warned women they did not need to thoroughly clean the vagina.
Boric acid, commonly used as an insecticide, is also found in low doses in certain pharmaceutical products, including those to treat some resistant vaginal infections.
Popular American influencer Allison Hoeller’s videos praising the benefits of boric acid have accumulated millions of views.
The 28-year-old claimed that inserting a tablet into her vagina would also eliminate any “smell or taste.” Instead, ‘it would smell like water’
But experts warned that putting the supplement version directly into the vagina could cause irritating infections or even increase the risk of contracting STDs. It can also be toxic if ingested.
However, Hoeller spoke about the supposed benefits of using the substance in a video posted on Instagram.
“This is the routine to make sure it smells good and tastes good,” he said.
‘The first thing is boric acid. You’re going to grab one of these and place it there 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.
Down there they give off no smell or taste. It will literally taste and smell like water.
In another TikTok video, viewed more than a million times, he also said: “All you do is take a tablet and the next day there won’t be any smell.”
‘It doesn’t smell at all, the smell has disappeared.
‘I put these on my sister, I put them on my friends, this works. Thank me later.’
However, Dr Philippa Kaye, an expert in women’s health issues, told MailOnline that boric acid, an astringent (a type of chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues) would be too harsh on vaginal tissue, increasing the risk of irritation and even STIs. .
She said, ‘Your vagina doesn’t smell like a bouquet of roses, because it’s not a bouquet of roses.’
‘As boric acid is an astringent, it dries out tissue and potentially damages cells.
‘This can cause irritations that could even increase the risk of contracting some STIs.
‘The vagina is full of vaginal microbiome which are good, healthy bacteria that we want to leave alone.
“Boric acid doesn’t differentiate between killing good bacteria and yeast overgrowth, so it kills everything.”
And he added: ‘There is no external agent that can acidify your vagina, because it is the bacteria in the vagina that regulate vaginal pH.
‘There are times when boric acid is used, such as if you have a resistant thrush infection and it is resistant to all the medications we normally use.
“If you notice that your vagina smells different than normal and you think it smells disgusting and hateful, then it’s a sign that something might be going on and you need to get it checked out.”
In another TikTok video, viewed more than a million times, he also said: “All you do is take a tablet and the next day there won’t be any smell.”
Boric acid, typically used as an effective insecticide, is found in low doses in certain pharmaceutical products, including those to treat vaginal infections.
‘Boric acid could change the smell, because it will kill all the bacteria. But would it smell like water? I doubt.’
Professor Penny Ward, Pharmaceutical Medicines Expert at Kings College Londonalso told MailOnline it was “inappropriate” to use boric acid as a “vaginal freshener”.
She added: ‘They are a recognized treatment for some recurrent vaginal infections, however they should be prescribed and not purchased from an online pharmacy without advice.
‘Women with vaginal discharge and a “fishy” odor may be affected by a vaginal condition known as bacterial vaginosis which is usually treated with vaginal or oral antibiotics.
‘However, in some antibiotic-resistant infections, intravaginal (IV) boric acid is used.
“Some brands package boric acid powder in large capsules that look very similar to medications taken orally, so users should be very careful to keep them away from others.”
Healthy vaginal discharge is made up of fluid from the vaginal walls, mucus from the cervix, and lactobacilli.
Because the vaginal environment is hormonally influenced, it is expected and completely normal for there to be variations in the amount of discharge throughout the month, the NHS advises.
In addition to providing a protective environment, vaginal discharge provides natural lubrication with between one and 4 ml of fluid produced every 24 hours.
Last year, gynecologists criticized Kourtney Kardashian’s new vaginal wellness gummies, warning that there was “no substance” to claims that the tablets can “target” vaginal wellness. Pictured with her husband Travis Barker
They also criticized claims that the reality TV star’s gummies could help promote better “freshness, smell and taste.”
Healthy vaginal discharge has a characteristic odor, which in some women can become stronger due to the large number of sweat glands in the pubic area where the hair is located.
It’s not the first time influencers and reality TV stars have come under fire for promoting “ineffective” vaginal wellness supplements.
Last year, gynecologists criticized Kourtney Kardashian’s new vaginal wellness gummies, warning that there was “no substance” to claims that the tablets can “target” vaginal wellness.
They also criticized claims that the gummies could help promote better “freshness, smell and taste.”
Doctors have previously urged women to avoid anything that claims to rejuvenate or medically treat their vaginas.
This includes putting garlic in the vagina to prevent yeast infection and Gwyneth Paltrow’s jade eggs, which claimed to increase “feminine energy.”
On her lifestyle blog, goop, the Hollywood actress turned lifestyle guru claimed that the $66 (£50.50) stone also helps orgasms, vaginal muscle tone and hormonal balance.
But experts warned the whole idea was “nonsense” and could even increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis or fatal toxic shock syndrome.