Trichomoniasis Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Trichomoniasis—called “Trich” for short is an STD that’s very common and can be cured with antibiotics.

Trich is caused by a parasite that spreads quickly during sex. The parasite is carried in sexual fluids such as semen (cum), pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. Millions of people get infected with Trich every year. Sometimes they carry it undetected because of its varying symptoms.

One of the most common symptoms is vaginitis. Vaginitis is an irritation of the vulva or vagina. Trich can also infect your urethra.

How can you get Trichomoniasis?

It is simple. Trich is caused by a very tiny parasite called a trichmona. You can get trich via unprotected sex. It is passed on through sexual fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, pre-cum. The protozoan responsible for this infection is known as Trichomonas vaginalis.

It is also spread by vulva-to-vulva contact, sharing sex toys, and touching your own or your partner’s genitals if you have infected fluid on your hand. Trich doesn’t usually infect the mouth or anus. It can affect the vulva, vagina, penis, and urethra. You can’t contract it through casual contact.

Many persons carry this STD without knowing, but it can be spread to other people. That’s why we advise safer sex practice and the use of condoms as the best way to prevent trich.

Risk factors of Trichomonas

• Multiple sex partners
• Having unprotected sex especially if your partner is unprotected.
• People with a history of other sexually transmitted infections from the past.
• Previous trichomoniasis infections.

Other infections can feel like Trich, which is why we advise that you do an STD test.

At STI Clinic London, we offer good STD tests with standard medical equipment and facilities. Our doctors are up-to-date on STDs and can give you all the information and help you can get. We advocate prevention with the use of condoms every time you have sex.

Symptoms of Trichomoniasis

Like other STDs, trich symptoms are barely noticeable, less painful, or irritating. The symptoms do come and go, which is common, but that doesn’t mean the infection disappeared. An estimated 7 out of 10 people with trich do not have signs of the infection at all. Sometimes the symptoms are so mild that it can be taken for other infections like a yeast infection or a UTI.

If you do get symptoms, they show up from 3 days to a month after getting infected. Trich is most likely to cause vaginitis. The symptoms of vaginitis include:

• Vagina itching and irritation which can be embarrassing.
• Green, yellow, grey, frothy, and bad-smelling vaginal discharge
• Pain during sex and blood in your vaginal discharge
• You might notice swellings in your genital region

Other symptoms:

• Pain and burning sensation when you pee
• Urge to pee a lot
• Discharge from your urethra
• Itching and irritation inside your penis
• Pain during intercourse

Prevention of Trichomoniasis

• Avoid having, anal, oral or vaginal sex.
• Make use of latex condom if you are sexually active whenever you want to have sex.
• Avoid multiple partners.

Contact us today at STI Clinic London to get tested and to get rid of your trich.