More women than men get trichomosiasis, which is caused by a tiny parasite
It’s more common among older women than younger women. One study showed that women over 40 are twice as likely to be infected as previously suggested
About
Trich is caused by a one-celled protozoan organism called Trichomonas vaginalis. It travels from person to person through genital contact during sex
In women, the organism causes an infection in the vagina, urethra, or both. In men, the infection only happens in the urethra
Symptoms
Only about 30% of people with trichomoniasis have symptoms including itching, burning, or sore genitals
About 7 out of 10 people with trich have no signs of the infection at all. When the infection is in a penis, it’s very unlikely to cause symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms of trich are so mild that you don’t even notice them, or you think it’s a different infection (like a yeast infection or a UTI). So the only way to find out for sure if you have it is to get tested.
You might also see a smelly, clear, white, yellowish, or greenish discharge
If you do get symptoms of trichomoniasis, they usually show up from 3 days to a month after you get the infection.
Trichomoniasis can cause symptoms in people of any gender. But trich is most likely to cause vaginitis. Symptoms of vaginitis caused by trich include:
Other symptoms of trich include pain and burning when you pee, the urge to pee a lot, discharge from your urethra, and itching and irritation inside your penis.
The signs of trich can be barely noticeable, or really painful and irritating. It’s common for the symptoms to come and go, but that doesn’t mean the infection went away. The only way to get rid of trichomoniasis is to get treated with medicine.
If you or your sexual partner has any of these symptoms, visit a nurse, doctor, or your local Planned Parenthood Health Center. You can spread trich to other people whether or not you have symptoms, so it’s important to get tested if you think you may be infected.
Contagion:
Men and women can give it to each other through penis-vagina contact
Women can give it to each other when their genital areas touch.
multiple sexual partners
a history of other STIs
previous trichomoniasis infections
sex without a condom
Trich can cause unique complications in pregnant women. There can be a higher chance of delivering prematurely or delivering a baby with low birth weight. Although rare, the infection can be transmitted to the baby during delivery. One study suggested that your child’s risk of developing an intellectual disability increases if you have trich during pregnancy
Treatment
Trichomoniasis can be cured with antibiotics.
It is important to be retested within three months of treatment, even if your partner has been treated as well
Your doctor may recommend metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax)
Do not drink any alcohol for the first 24 hours after taking metronidazole or the first 72 hours after taking tinidazole. It can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
Make sure your sexual partners are properly tested and take the medication, too. Not having any symptoms doesn’t mean they don’t have the infection
You will need to avoid sexual contact for a week after all partners have been treated
It’s safe to take the medications metronidazole and tinidazole during pregnancy. No adverse effects have been noted
Consequences
Medical examination
So the only way to find out for sure if you have it is to get tested
cell cultures
antigen tests (antibodies bind if the Trichomonas parasite is present, which causes a color change that indicates infection)
tests that look for Trichomonas DNA
examining samples of vaginal fluid (for women) or urethral discharge (for men) under a microscope
If you are pregnant and suspect that you have trich or any other STI, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to prevent complications for you and your child
Prevention
Use condoms during sexual intercourse to reduce your chances of contracting trich and other STIs.
