Trichomoniasis, or trich, is an infection caused by a small parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).
It’s usually spread by having sex without a condom. Trichomoniasis is not thought to be passed on through oral or anal sex.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis usually develop within a month of infection. But up to half of all people will not develop any symptoms (though they can still pass the infection on to others).
Trichomoniasis in women can cause:
- abnormal vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin or frothy and yellow-green in colour;
- producing more discharge than normal, which may also have an unpleasant fishy smell;
- soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina – sometimes the inner thighs also become itchy;
- pain or discomfort when passing urine or having sex.
Trichomoniasis in men can cause:
- pain when peeing or during ejaculation;
- needing to pee more frequently than usual;
- thin, white discharge from the penis;
- soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin.
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Testing
See your GP or go to your local clinic if you develop any of the symptoms of trichomoniasis or if you think you may be infected.
If you do need a test, the clinician will examine your genital area and take a sample. If you have a vagina, they’ll take a swab of the area to get a sample. If you have a penis, they’ll ask for a sample of urine. Samples are sent to a lab for testing.
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Treatment
Trichomoniasis is unlikely to go away without treatment, but it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Most men and women are treated with an antibiotic which is usually taken for 5 to 7 days. It’s important to complete the whole course of antibiotics and avoid having sex until the infection clears up to prevent reinfection.
Your current sexual partner and any other recent partners should also be treated.