Trichomoniasis

Overview

Trichomoniasis, also called Trich, is a common sexually transmitted infection (STD) caused by a parasite called trichomonas vaginalis. It is spread through sex; anyone sexually active can get trichomoniasis.

In women, trichomoniasis symptoms include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain during sex, itching, and painful urination.

Men with this STD rarely have symptoms but can also experience painful urination and discharge from the penis.

Trichomoniasis can be treated with a prescribed dosage of antibiotics and is prevented by practising safe sex.

Key facts

• Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
• Women are affected in the vulva, vagina, cervix, or urethra.
• Men get the infection in the urethra, prostate, and the penis
• Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are at risk of delivering their babies prematurely.
• It is treatable with antibiotics.

Symptoms

Symptoms of trichomoniasis vary in men and women.

In women, the symptoms may include;

• A foul-smelling vaginal discharge in large amounts. Its colour may range from clear, white, grey, yellow, or green.
• Genital burning, itching, and redness or soreness
• Pain during sex
• Pain or discomfort while urinating
• Frequent urination
• Bleeding after sex
• Ache on the lower stomach area

In men, its symptoms may include;

• Itching or irritation inside the penis
• Thin white discharge from the penis
• Pain when they urinate or have sex
• Need to urinate often

Diagnosis

Your doctor will take a urine sample or fluid from your genitals and examine it in a lab under a microscope to spot the parasite. Sometimes, your doctor might require a culture test where the sample is stored for several days so the parasite can be easily spotted under the microscope.

You may also need sensitive tests called rapid antigen and nucleic acid amplification tests to spot signs of the parasite.

Your doctor might also test for other STDs, as many people infected with trichomoniasis also have chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

Causes

Trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It spreads during sex, including oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Anybody who is sexually active can be infected.

The parasite majorly targets the lower genital tract. It affects the vulva, vagina, opening of the uterus, and the urethra in women. In men, it affects the penis and urethra.

The incubation period is unknown but is suspected to be between 4 and 28 days. However, infected persons can still pass it on to others without showing symptoms.

Prevention

As with other STDs, the only way to prevent trichomoniasis is not to have sex. Using condoms during sex and sticking to one sexual partner will lower your risk of infection.

Treatment

A prescribed dosage of antibiotics like tinidazole (Tindamax), metronidazole (Flagyl, Noritate, Nuvessa, and secnidazole (Solosec)will treat and clear up trichomoniasis in most people. Your doctor might prescribe a mega-dose that requires you to take several pills at once or several smaller doses to be taken within a period.

You must take all the medication even if you feel better. Additionally, your sexual partners must be treated simultaneously to prevent re-infection. You will also need to stay away from sex until your treatment is completed. 

Your doctor will retest after the dosage has been completed to check if the infection is cleared.

However, you might still get infected again, as 20% of people treated for trichomoniasis become re-infected within three months.

Conclusion

Trichomoniasis is an STD that affects sexually active people. The parasite trichomonas vaginalis spreads with genitalia contact. Its symptoms range from foul-smelling vaginal discharge and painful urination in women and white discharge and burning sensating while urinating in men. It is treated with antibiotics and can be prevented by practising safe sex.