Trichomoniasis symptoms are mainly in the genital area (infection of the lower genital tract), but can also include urinary symptoms. Women can have a greenish yellow, foamy, fishy-smelling discharge with irritation and soreness in the vagina or urethra, while men may have a frothy discharge from the penis with mild pain or discomfort when urinating.
A person can become infected with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis by having sexual contact with someone who is infected. The infection spreads when the parasite enters the body through a sex partner’s vaginal or urethra opening and then travels to another part of the body.
Symptoms can be hard to notice and sometimes come and go. The parasite can live in the vagina or urethra for months and can cause serious problems.
The incubation period for trichomoniasis is between four and 28 days after the first contact with the parasite. This is why it’s important to use condoms each time you have sex with an infected person.
Treatment is usually with a medication called metronidazole or tinidazole, taken by mouth as pills. This antibiotic can clear up most trichomoniasis infections, and is safe for pregnant women to take. It can help reduce the risk of spreading trichomoniasis to others and can reduce your chances of getting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
The most common symptom of trichomoniasis is a yellowish-green, frothy or foamy discharge that comes from the vagina or urethra. In most women, this discharge is accompanied by itching or discomfort in the genitals.
It isn’t known what causes trichomoniasis. The parasite is thought to be transmitted through sex, though the exact source of infection has not been determined.
A doctor can diagnose trichomoniasis by taking a sample of pee or fluid from the genitals and looking at it under a microscope. They might need to do a test called a culture, which is when they store the sample for several days so the parasite can grow and be easier to find under the microscope. Other tests that can spot the parasite include a rapid antigen test or nucleic acid amplification test.
Why is it important to get tested for trich?
Because trich can be passed from person to person during sexual intercourse, it is a good idea for everyone to be tested. This helps you and your sex partner know if you have the infection and how to treat it. It also helps you avoid the infection in the future.
Your provider can do a physical exam and lab tests to check for trichomoniasis. These tests might include a sample of vaginal fluid for women or a swab from inside the penis for men under a microscope to spot the parasite.
Other tests might include a sample of urethral fluid or urine. They aren’t as sensitive as a test that uses a microscopic swab, but they can be used to spot the parasite and can make it easier to cure your infection.
