Trichomoniasis
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
What is it?
Trichomoniasis, nicknamed "trich," is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a microscopic one-celled organism called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis can cause vaginal infections in women and inflammation of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder) in both sexes. In pregnant women, Trichomonas infections also can increase the risk of premature rupture of the membranes and preterm delivery.
Symptoms
In women, Trichomonas organisms can live in the vagina for many years without causing symptoms. If symptoms occur, they can include:
- a yellow-green, foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- vaginal pain or itching
- irritation and inflammation around the vaginal opening
- vaginal pain during sexual intercourse
- burning discomfort during urination.
In rare cases there will be discomfort in the lower abdomen. Symptoms may be worse during a menstrual period. Although men usually have no symptoms, they occasionally can have irritation and inflammation at the tip of the penis, discomfort during urination, and a discharge from the end of the penis.
Diagnosis
Once you describe your symptoms, your doctor will check your vagina or urethra for inflammation and abnormal discharge, and do a pelvic examination. During the exam, he or she will collect a specimen with a swab, and send it to a laboratory to be examined. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed by viewing the parasite under the microscope in the office or more accurately by culturing it in the laboratory. Because people with Trichomonas infections are more likely to get other STDs, your doctor also may perform tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV.
Expected duration
Without treatment, Trichomonas infections can last for years.
Prevention
Because trichomoniasis can be transmitted during sexual activity, you can help to prevent infection by:
- not having sex
- having sex with only one uninfected sex partner
- consistently using male latex condoms during sexual intercourse.
Treatment
Trichomonas infections are best treated with oral medication, usually metronidazole (Flagyl). Although metronidazole gel is also available, it is not as effective as medication taken by mouth. Alternative treatments include oral tinidazole or secnidazole. To prevent becoming infected again, all sex partners of an infected person must be treated and refrain from intercourse until treatment is complete. Pregnant women should not take metronidazole during the first trimester of pregnancy, so an alternative medication should be used or treatment should be delayed until later in pregnancy.
When to call a professional
If you are a woman, call your doctor whenever you have vaginal discomfort or an abnormal vaginal discharge, especially if you are pregnant. If you are a man, call your doctor whenever you have redness or discomfort around the end of your penis.
Prognosis
If you are a woman, call your doctor whenever you have vaginal discomfort or an abnormal vaginal discharge, especially if you are pregnant. If you are a man, call your doctor whenever you have redness or discomfort around the end of your penis.
Additional info
CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
https://npin.cdc.gov/
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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