What is trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called trichomonas vaginalis. Infections can occur on the penis or external genitalia and in the vagina or internal genitalia. The parasite is also found in bodily fluids such as semen, pre-ejaculation, and vaginal fluids.

Alternate name

• Trich

Who gets trichomoniasis?

Trich affects all genders. Women (particularly older women) are more hopeful than men to get the disease. Black women are more likely to get infected. Your risk of trichomoniasis will increase if you do:

• Don’t use condoms while having sex
• Have multiple sexual partners

Causes of trichomoniasis

They trick you into having sex with someone. It is usually transmitted through contact between the penis and the vagina. Women who have sex with women can also get trich during vaginal connection.

Women often get an infection in the vulva, vagina, cervix, or bladder. Men usually have it in their urine. They can also be found in the gland between the prostate, the bladder, and the penis. It is very rare to have a footprint on other parts of your body such as your hands, mouth, or anus.

Anyone with trichomoniasis can spread it even without symptoms.

Risk factors for trichomoniasis

The parasite is transmitted from partner to partner during sexual intercourse.

The following people are more likely to include trichomes and risk factors:

• Women, and especially older women
• People who have more than one sexual partner
• Those with a history of trich
• People who have had unprotected sex

It can also be transmitted during oral, anal, or vaginal sex and through genital contact.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis

People with trichomoniasis often have no symptoms. For those who do, symptoms appear 4 to 20 days after the person becomes infected. The symptoms are different for men and women.

Females can have symptoms such as:

• Red, sore, or itchy vulva (genital area) and vagina, where it may be difficult to walk or sit
• The increased amount of discharge from the vagina, which is thin and frothy, ranging from light gray to greenish-yellow in color and may have an unpleasant odor
• Burning or pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse

These symptoms get worse with your period.

Most men have no symptoms. Occasionally, they notice:

• Slight discharge from the bladder (penis opening)
• Burning or pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse

Diagnosis of trichomoniasis

To get diagnose this disease individuals must consult a infertility specialist doctor and then doctor can tell if you have trichomoniasis by asking about your past health and doing a physical exam. He or she can order lab tests to find the parasite that causes trich. In women, the parasite can sometimes be found on a routine Pap test. This test is done as part of the pelvic exam.

Treatment for trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is easily treated with antibiotics. It can be taken in a single dose in one day or over a period of one week.

Even if you don't have any symptoms, wait until your treatment is finished before having sex again. If you are taking an ODI treatment, you must abstain from sex for seven days. Ask your healthcare professional before having sex again.

Keep in mind that if you are treated for trichomoniasis, you will not be immune and will contract the disease again.

Without treatment, the disease can last for months or years.

Prevention of trichomoniasis

As with other STIs, the risk of contracting trichomoniasis is reduced through safe sex methods, such as limiting the number of sexual partners, using condoms, and preventing reinfection by not having sex with untreated sexual partners.

If you feel infected, stop having sexual contact and consult your GP or specialist clinic in the sexual health clinic.

Complications

Complications from trichomoniasis are rare, although some women with the infection are at risk for further complications.

If you got trichomoniasis while you were pregnant, the infection could be caused by your baby:

• Be born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
• Have a low birth weight

Prognosis

If you are a woman, call your doctor when you experience vaginal discomfort or abnormal vaginal discharge, especially if you are pregnant. If you are a man, call your doctor when you feel redness or discomfort at the tip of the penis.