Trichomoniasis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), most people haven’t heard of —Trichomoniasis. You might not know much about it, but it’s actually the most common curable STI in the world.

In this blog, we’ll find out what Trichomoniasis is, how it’s spread, or how you can protect yourself from it.

What is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection caused by a single-celled organism called Trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite infects the genital area. It affects both men and women, though it’s more common in women. Not everyone who gets it will show symptoms- silent infection. That means you could have it without even knowing. But if left untreated, it can cause some health complications.

Types of Trichomoniasis

There’s just one type of trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, so there are no multiple strains like with some other STIs. However, this parasite can affect different areas of the body, including:

• Vaginal infection (for women)
• Urethral infection (for men, though less common)
• Penile infection (for men, less severe than vaginal infection in women)

It can also infect the urethra areas in women, and the rectum (mostly from anal sex), though these are much rarer occurrences.

How Do You Get Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis spreads through sexual contact. It can transmit during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected person. Note that it can spread even if the infected person doesn’t have any symptoms. You don’t have to have visible signs to pass it on.

Here’s how it generally spreads:

• Vaginal intercourse: The most common way it gets transmitted.
• Oral sex: Less common but possible if one partner is infected.
• Anal sex: Here the parasite spread if the rectal area is infected.

Note: Sharing sex toys with someone who has the infection, or using toys that haven’t been properly cleaned, can also increase the risk of spreading trichomoniasis.

Symptoms: What to Look Out For

Many people with trichomoniasis don’t show any symptoms at all. But when they do appear, they can be pretty uncomfortable. Symptoms show up in about 5 to 28 days after exposure.

For women:

• Itchy or irritated genital area
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge ( fishy-smelling)
• Pain or discomfort during sex or while urinating
• Redness and swelling around the genitals
• Pain in the lower abdomen

For men:

• Irritation or burning while urinating
• Discharge from the penis (look cloudy or yellowish)
• Swelling or redness around the penis or urethra
• Soreness in the groin area

Sometimes these symptoms can be mild or even go unnoticed. This is why getting STI tested regularly is so important.

How Trichomoniasis Affects Intimate Relationships

Dealing with trichomoniasis can take a toll on your intimate relationships, even if it doesn’t always show symptoms. If you or your partner has it, it can be easily passed back and forth if both of you are not treated.

If one partner has trichomoniasis, They will feel shamed, embarrassed, or guilty- if they have passed the infection unknowingly. Anyone can get it, and you don’t have to be ashamed of it.

If you have a trusting relationship with your partner, talk about it with your partner. That way, both partners can get treated on time and the infection can be cleared up which prevents it from spreading further.

How is Trichomoniasis Diagnosed?

If you think you might have trichomoniasis, it’s time to get it checked out. Here’s how doctors diagnose it:

1. Physical exam: The doctor might perform a pelvic exam (for women) or check for any unusual discharge or irritation around the genital area.
2. Lab tests: The doctor may take a sample of discharge or urine and send it to a lab for testing (to check for signs of the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite).
3. Molecular tests: Some doctors may also use tests like PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect the DNA of the parasite ( very accurate method).

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Treatment of Trichomoniasis

The treatment has a bunch of medications that target and kill the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and things to note for a smooth treatment process:

Medications

The most common treatment for Trichomoniasis is a prescription for oral antibiotics. These antibiotics are used to kill the parasite that causes the infection. 

Notes About Treatment to Know

• Even if only one person shows symptoms, both sexual partners should be treated at the same time. This prevents reinfection and makes sure that the infection is completely cleared.
• Don’t drink alcohol while taking these antibiotics because it can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects.
• Always follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the full course of medication, even if you start feeling better before finishing the treatment. Do not stop your treatment early as the infection can return.
• You should refrain from any sexual activity until you and your partner(s) have completed the treatment and are no longer having any symptoms. 

What If the Symptoms is Still There?

In some cases, people might still get some of the symptoms after completing treatment. If this happens:

• Follow up with your doctor. You may need some more testing or a second round of medication.
• If you or your partner were not treated at the same time, reinfection is possible. Be sure both partners are treated to prevent this.

Note: Over the years, Allo Health has helped more than 75,000 patients with sexual health concerns. Our personalised treatment plan gives a high success rate in improving sexual function and treating STIs of our patients. Book an online consultation with one of Allo’s leading experts.

Preventing Trichomoniasis Re-infection

Once you’ve been treated for Trichomoniasis, there are prevention you can take to reduce the chances of getting it again:

• Use condoms all the time during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It will lower the risk of re-infection.
• The fewer partners you have, the less likely you are to be exposed to infections.
• If you are sexually active, get tested regularly to catch the infections early before they spread.

Key Takeaway

• Trichomoniasis is known as Trich, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It affects both men and women, but women are more likely to show the symptoms. 
• Even without symptoms, the infection can still be transmitted to others.
• If left untreated, trichomoniasis increases the risk of getting or spreading other STIs, like HIV. It causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility in women. In pregnant women, it may also lead to premature delivery or low birth weight.
• Trichomoniasis is diagnosed through a pelvic exam and lab tests (swab test from the genital area or urine test). The infection is treated with prescription antibiotics like metronidazole or tinidazole.
• It’s possible to get trichomoniasis again even after successful treatment. Reinfection is seen if a partner isn’t treated or if safe sex practices aren’t used properly.
• In a study, trichomoniasis is considered a neglected parasitic infection (NPI), making it harder to implement new diagnostic solutions​