Sexually Transmitted Infections
What Are They?
Trichomoniasis (Trich)
What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis, or trich (pronounced "trick"), is a common STI that usually has very few symptoms. It is caused by an infection of microscopic parasites called Trichomonas vaginalis. For women, these parasites may infect the vagina, urethra, bladder or cervix. In men, the infection is usually in the urethra, or under the foreskin of uncircumcised men.
How do you get trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
Prevention
The best way to help prevent Trichomoniasis is to use a condom each and every time you have sex.
Symptoms
Many people, particularly men, will not have symptoms of a trich infection. If symptoms do appear, they usually appear within one week of infection, though they can take up to six months. For some people, symptoms may go away and then return later.
In men, trichomoniasis is rare and most men will not have symptoms.
For men symptoms may include:
- mild discharge
- irritation or redness at the top of the penis
- burning during urination
- Men may often become unknowing carriers of trich infections. Treatment is required to ensure that a trich infection is completely gone
About half of women will have symptoms of a trich infection.
For women, symptoms may include:
- Discharge from the vagina
- Vaginal odour
- Pain during intercourse or urination
- Irritation or itchiness of the vagina
Testing
Testing may be done by physical examination or lab testing to detect the parasite.
In some cases, the tiny sores caused by trichomoniasis may be detected during a routine pap test for women; however, pap smears do not specifically test for sexually transmitted infections, and you should never rely on a pap smear to detect trichomoniasis or any other sexually transmitted infections.
Treatment
Typically, trichomoniasis can be treated with a single oral dose of an antibiotic called Metronidazole. However, Trichomonas can be reacquired easily so it is important that you and your partner(s) be treated together. Trichomoniasis may not show symptoms, so even if your partner doesn't have symptoms, he or she should still be tested.
Did You Know? |
STI Reinfection: Peterman TA et al; RESPECT-2 Study Group (U.S.). High incidence of new sexually transmitted infections in the year following a sexually transmitted infection: a case for rescreening. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Oct 17;145(8):564-72. |
Impact if not treated
In rare cases, trichomoniasis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain or ectopic pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman is infected with Trichomonas, it may cause premature delivery or low birth weight. Trich can cause small sores and inflammation, which can increase the risk of HIV transmission. Detection and treatment of a Trichomonas infection will help lower your risk of contracting HIV.
What to tell your partner
Trichomoniasis is easily treated, but your partner(s) may not have symptoms. Also, if you're with a partner who's infected, they can reinfect you after you've had treatment.
Telling a partner about a trichomoniasis infection may be embarrassing, but it's important to be very honest with your partner(s). Let them know so that they can get tested and treated if necessary.
When can I have sex again?
Ask your health care professional when receiving treatment about when you can have sex again. Do not have sex again if you or your partner(s) have not fully completed treatment, or if you are still displaying symptoms of infection. Remember, you can become reinfected immediately after your infection clears up. As always, it's a very good idea to use condoms to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and trichomoniasis reinfection.
Last Modified: May 22, 2007
