Find out how trichomoniasis affects your sexual health.
Trichomoniasis, known as trich, is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite.
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics estimate that more than 2 million people in the United States were infected in 2018, though most never experience symptoms.
Therefore, it's vital to know how to protect yourself from trichomoniasis, how to recognize the symptoms you may have, how to treat it and how to prevent it from spreading.
Trich is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It's spread through sexual contact with someone who is already infected by the parasite. Both men and women can be infected by trich, and infections most commonly originate in the urethra.
Trichomoniasis requires treatment because the infection is unable to resolve on its own. Though it's most commonly passed during insertive vaginal sex, trich can be spread during anal and oral sex, or by sharing dirty sex toys with someone who is infected with the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite.
Limiting the number of sex partners you have and practicing safer sex with condoms and dental dams can decrease your risk of contracting trich. The only way to eliminate the risk entirely is to abstain from sexual activity altogether.
Let's review the numbers. More than 2 million people, mostly women, are currently infected with trich, but it's estimated that only about 30 percent of individuals will ever experience any symptoms. That makes it easy for the infection to go undetected and untreated.
This is one of the reasons why trich is so easy to spread, as people who are infected are often unaware they have an STI. Practicing safe sex and getting tested for STIs regularly is essential to protect yourself and prevent trichomoniasis from spreading. That's particularly true if you have multiple sex partners or have sex with someone who has multiple sex partners.
Trich, which was first discovered in 1836, was first thought to be not much more than an annoying condition. Today, preventing the spread of trich is considered a public health problem because the STI can lead to fertility issues, negative pregnancy outcomes and an increased risk of viruses such as HIV.
Trich is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, which is a microscopic, one-celled protozoan parasite. The parasite infects people during sexual activity such as anal, oral and vaginal sex, and can cause sexual pain. When women contract trich, it typically infects the vulva, vagina, cervix and urethra. For men, the parasite infects the urethra.
You are at increased risk for contracting trich if you have:
An estimated 70 percent of trich infections don't cause any symptoms. However, for the 30 percent of people who do show symptoms, it can take anywhere from five to 28 days after the infection to notice anything out of the ordinary.
Though men and women with trich may exhibit similar symptoms, some may vary.
Women infected with trich may experience:
Trich symptoms in men can include:
If you notice any signs or symptoms of trichomoniasis or you become aware that you may have been exposed to it, schedule a test with your doctor immediately. Making an appointment is the first step toward finding symptom relief and getting cured so you can resume a normal and healthy sex life.
Doctors typically perform a genital exam and order lab tests to diagnose trich.
For women, a vaginal fluid sample is typically sent for testing, while a swab from inside the penis is tested for men. In some cases, the parasite may be observable under a microscope, in which case other tests aren't necessary. In some cases, urine may be tested, too.
Since trich puts you more at risk for other STIs, your doctor may recommend testing for other infections.
Trichomoniasis is treated with an oral antibiotic. According to Mayo Clinic, your doctor may recommend one megadose of metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) or secnidazole (Solosec). Or they may prescribe multiple lower doses of metronidazole or tinidazole.
It's important to ensure your sex partner(s) get treated, too, because it is possible for you to pass the parasite back and forth if all parties are not treated. Abstain from sexual activity until your doctor says the infection has cleared, to prevent reinfection. This typically takes no more than a few weeks.
Trichomoniasis can cause genital irritation and inflammation that makes you more vulnerable to contracting other STIs. In particular, researchers have found that people with trich are more susceptible to being infected with HIV.
During pregnancy, trich can cause complications such as premature delivery and low birth weight. The baby can become infected on its way through the birth canal.
Though the infection is easily curable, it's important to protect yourself and your partners, since trich infections put people at greater risk for developing cervical or prostate cancer.
A woman who has trich during pregnancy can experience a variety of complications if it is ignored. Untreated trich can lead to premature labor and low birth weight, which can then contribute to complications later in life.
It's always best practice to get tested regularly for STIs if you are sexually active, but it's particularly important to get tested if you discover you are pregnant. If you're pregnant and testing indicates you have trich, talk to your doctor about the best treatment. A single dose of antibiotics can eliminate the infection entirely.
Be sure your doctor is aware that you're pregnant so they can be sure to prescribe medication that is safest for you and the baby.
If you discover you have trichomoniasis, you may feel an initial burst of fear and shame. These are normal emotions. However, you should rest assured that a trich infection is nothing to be ashamed of and is easily curable.
Trich is an extremely common STI. Talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms or if you discover you've had sex with someone who is infected. To protect yourself and prevent the spread of STIs such as trich, it's essential to do the following:
Clinical trials are an important part of medical research, essential to continuing the advancements in medical science.
If you consider participating in any clinical trial, be sure to do plenty of research and make the decision in consultation with your doctor and loved ones. A list of active and recruiting clinical trials for various STDs/STIs, including trich, can be found using this government database.
Learning more about this condition is important for anyone who has been infected or is looking after someone who is recovering from the STI. Here are some good places to start that journey:
Trichomoniasis is an STI that affects both men and women. It is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Though easily curable with antibiotics, trich can lead to pregnancy and birth complications, increased risk for cervical and prostate cancer, and bothersome symptoms when left untreated.
While both are sexually transmitted, trichomoniasis and chlamydia are different infections entirely. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, but trich is caused by a parasite.
Trichomoniasis requires treatment. It does not go away on its own. In fact, the infection can last for months and even years in the body when left untreated. Fortunately, once trich is diagnosed, various medications are available and can easily cure the condition.
