Outrage as popular influencer tells millions of female viewers to put a chemical used as a pesticide in their vaginas to stay ‘fresh’ and ‘smell like water’

Women are being urged to insert a chemical used as a pesticide into their vaginas to stay ‘fresh’, in social media posts that are scaring health experts.

Videos by popular American influencer Allison Hoeller extolling the benefits of using the chemical boric acid in this way have been viewed millions of times.

Hoeller, 28, claimed that inserting one tablet into their vagina would also remove the “odor or taste” from it. Instead, it would ‘smell like water’.

But doctors told MailOnline there was no robust evidence behind the claim and warned women there was no need for them to perform extensive vaginal cleaning.

Boric acid – commonly used as an insecticide – is also found in low doses in certain pharmaceutical products, including products to treat some drug-resistant vaginal infections.

Videos by popular American influencer Allison Hoeller praising the benefits of boric acid have been viewed millions of times

The 28-year-old claimed that inserting one tablet into their vagina would also remove any ‘odor 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 STDs. It can also be poisonous if ingested.

However, Hoeller spoke about the alleged benefits of using the substance in a video on Instagram.

“This is the routine to make sure you smell good and taste good,” she said.

‘The first is boric acid. You’re going to take one and put it there 24 to 48 hours before your date.

“They don’t give you any smell or taste down there. It literally tastes and smells like water.

In a separate TikTok video, which has been viewed more than 1 million times, she also said: ‘All you have to do is take one tablet and the next day there is absolutely no smell.

‘Absolutely no smell, the smell is gone.

“I put my sister on this, I put my friends on this – this works. Thank me later.”

However, GP Dr Philippa Kaye, an expert in women’s health, told MailOnline that boric acid, an astringent – ​​a type of chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues – would be too aggressive on vaginal tissue, increasing the risk of irritation and even STDs would increase. .

She said, ‘Your vagina doesn’t smell like a bouquet of roses, because it’s not a bouquet of roses.

‘Because boric acid is an astringent, it dries out the tissue and potentially damages the cells.

‘This can lead to irritation, which even increases the risk of STDs.

‘The vagina is packed with vaginal microbiomes, which are good, healthy bacteria that we want to leave alone.

“Boric acid doesn’t distinguish between killing good bacteria and overgrowth of yeast, so it kills everything.”

She 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 you use boric acid, for example if you have a resistant thrush infection and it is resistant to all the medicines we normally use.

‘If you notice that your vagina smells different than normal and you think it smells disgusting and odious, then that’s a sign that something might be wrong and you need to get checked out.

In a separate TikTok video, which has been viewed well over a million times, she also said: ‘All you have to do is take one tablet and the next day there is absolutely no smell left.

Boric acid – typically used as an effective insecticide – is found in low doses in certain pharmaceutical products, including products to treat vaginal infections

‘Boric acid can change the smell because you kill all the bacteria. But would it smell like water? I doubt it.’

Professor Penny Ward, an expert in pharmaceutical medicine at Kings College Londonalso told MailOnline that it was ‘inappropriate’ to use boric acid as a ‘vaginal freshener’.

She added: ‘They are a recognized treatment for some recurring vaginal infections, but they should not be prescribed without advice and should not be purchased from an online pharmacy.

‘Women with vaginal discharge and a ‘fishy’ odor may be suffering from a vaginal condition known as bacterial vaginosis, which is usually treated with vaginal or oral antibiotics.

‘However, for some antibiotic-resistant infections, intravaginal (IV) boric acid is used.

‘Some brands package the boric acid powder in large capsules that look very similar to medications taken by mouth, so users should be very careful to keep them away from others.’

Healthy vaginal discharge consists of fluid from the vaginal walls, mucus from the cervix and lactobacilli.

Because the vaginal environment is hormonally influenced, variation in the amount of discharge throughout the month is expected and completely normal, the NHS advises.

In addition to providing a protective environment, vaginal discharge provides natural lubrication, producing between one and 4 ml of fluid every 24 hours.

Last year, gynecologists condemned Kourtney Kardashian’s new vaginal wellness gummies, warning that there was “no merit” to the claim that the tablets could “target” vaginal wellness. Pictured with husband Travis Barker

They also criticized claims that the reality TV star’s gummies could help promote improved “freshness, aroma and taste.”

Healthy vaginal discharge has a characteristic odor – and in some women it can become stronger due to the large number of sweat glands in the hair-bearing pubic area.

It’s not the first time influencers and reality TV stars have come under fire for promoting ‘ineffective’ vaginal wellness supplements.

Last year, gynecologists slammed Kourtney Kardashian’s new vaginal wellness gummies, warning that there was “no merit” to the claim that the tablets could “target” vaginal wellness.

They also criticized claims that the gummies could help promote improved “freshness, aroma and taste.”

Medics have previously urged women to avoid anything that claims to rejuvenate or medically treat their vagina.

This includes putting garlic in their vagina to prevent yeast infection and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Jade Eggs, which claim to boost ‘feminine energy’.

Writing on her lifestyle blog, the Hollywood actress turned lifestyle guru claimed the $66 (£50.50) stone also helps with 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 the deadly toxic shock syndrome.