Sexual Health STDs More STDs Trichomoniasis Guide Trichomoniasis Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment What Is Trichomoniasis? By Elizabeth Boskey, PhD facebook twitter linkedin Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, MPH, CHES, is a social worker, adjunct lecturer, and expert writer in the field of sexually transmitted diseases. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD on July 13, 2019 linkedin Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Medical Review Board Brian Levine, MD Updated on May 18, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Next in Trichomoniasis Guide Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is one one the most common STDs and may be referred to as "trich." The symptoms include itching, irritation and discharge in women, and pain with urination in men. It is caused by a parasite, can be diagnosed with a physical exam and a microscopic analysis, and it is treatable with Flagyl (metronidazole), an antimicrobial. Trichomaoniasis Symptoms The symptoms of trichomoniasis may begin between several days to a month after you become infected, and there can even be a delay of several months before symptoms even surface. In fact, many people do not have symptoms at all, but can still spread the infection to others. Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms if they become infected with trichomoniasis. Symptoms in Women Symptoms in women are usually more noticeable than the symptoms in men. Women generally experience symptoms of trichomoniasis within 1 to 4 weeks of initial infection. Verywell The symptoms of trichomoniasis in women include: Irritation and itching of the vagina and surrounding area Frothy, colored vaginal discharge Strong vaginal odor Pain with intercourse Pain when urinating Complications in Women Trichomoniasis can negatively affect the outcome of a pregnancy. Pregnant women infected with the parasite are more likely to have a pre-term birth and are more likely to give birth to a low birth weight baby. Symptoms in Men Most men with trichomoniasis don’t have any symptoms. When they do, their symptoms are generally mild and include: Pain when urinating Pain when ejaculating Discharge The discomfort of the penis Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell Trichomoniasis and HIV If you have trichomoniasis, you are more susceptible to infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. If you are HIV positive, trichomoniasis also makes it more likely that you will pass HIV to your sexual partners. There is a stronger association between trichomoniasis and HIV for women than there is for men. Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis Causes Trichomoniasis affects both men and women and it is caused by a single-celled parasitic organism known as Trichomonas vaginalis. The infection is sexually transmitted and can be spread by sexual intercourse as well as by skin-to-skin contact involving the vagina or penis. The parasite is able to live in and around the vagina or inside the penis and is not normally associated with effects of other areas of the body. It is not spread by shaking hands, touching, or kissing. How It's Spread The CDC estimates that more than 3 million people in the United States are infected with trichomoniasis. The more common and prevalent it is, the higher the likelihood of getting the infection. If you have unprotected sex with someone who may be infected, this makes you more likely to contract the infection yourself. Effects on the Body In women, trichomoniasis causes a vaginal infection called vaginitis. In men, it infects the urethra, the tube inside the penis that carries sperm and urine. The parasite invades the layer underneath the skin and produces an inflammatory reaction. The presence of the parasite and the resulting inflammation produces the characteristic itching, pain, discharge, and odor associated with trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis Causes and Risk Factors Diagnosis The symptoms of trichomoniasis are somewhat vague and similar to the symptoms of skin conditions or other STDs. A medical appointment is necessary for a definitive diagnosis, especially because there is a prescription anti-parasitic treatment that can cure the infection. How the Organism Is Identified For both men and women, samples can be tested for the parasite itself, which can be visualized under a microscope. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which can detect the genetic components of the parasite, may be also used in diagnosing the infection. Diagnosis in Women If you have trichomoniasis, your physical examination may show irritation of the vagina as well as discharge, and there may also be a characteristic odor. Trichomoniasis can also cause irritation of the cervix, which is inside the body and can only be visualized with a medical examination. A swab of the vagina, urethra (tube for urine), or cervix provides a small sample of vaginal secretions. Your doctors can then look at this sample under a microscope. This diagnostic method is called using a wet mount. It can be used to visualize the parasite itself. The parasite that causes trichomoniasis is not always visible on a wet mount, though. Your doctors may also culture the vaginal secretions in a special medium to allow the organism to grow, increasing the chances of identifying it. A urine test may also be used for diagnosis. Diagnosis in Men The physical examination is rarely abnormal in men who have trichomoniasis infection. If you have symptoms of the infection, your doctor may test for the infection using a urine sample or a urethral swab. How Trichomoniasis Is Diagnosed Treatment The treatment of trichomoniasis is generally effective if you are otherwise in good health. It is generally treated with a single oral dose of Flagyl (metronidazole) 2 grams or Tindamax (tinidazole) 2 grams. If you have been treated and the infection did not resolve, you may need a prescription for 500 mg of metronidazole by mouth to take twice per day for seven days. These medications are also used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. There are cream and gel forms of metronidazole, but it is not effective for treatment of trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. You should not drink alcohol for several days when using these medications as the combination can induce a severe physical reaction characterized by high blood pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. After using the medications, it is recommended that you abstain from unprotected sexual activity for a week and until your symptoms completely clear. This is because It takes approximately one week for the medication to get rid of the infection. It is also important that your sexual partners be treated for trichomoniasis at the same time you are to reduce the risk of reinfection. How Trichomoniasis Is Treated Prevention Condoms have been shown to reduce the risk of infection from trichomoniasis. They should be used consistently if either partner is infected or might be at risk of infection. The parasite can also be transmitted by fingers, sex toys, or other objects. Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trichomoniasis - CDC Fact Sheet Planned Parenthood. Trichomoniasis (Trich) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trichomoniasis Statistics Van der pol B. Clinical and Laboratory Testing for Trichomonas vaginalis Infection. J Clin Microbiol. 2016;54(1):7-12. doi:+10.1128/JCM.02025-15 Doxtader EE, Elsheikh TM. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in men by urine cytology. Cancer Cytopathol. 2017;125(1):55-59. doi:10.1002/cncy.21778 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. Trichomoniasis Additional Reading Gaydos CA, Klausner JD, Pai NP Kelly H, Coltart C, Peeling RW. Rapid and point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in women and men. Sex Transm Infect. 2017 Dec;93(S4):S31-S35. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-053063. Epub 2017 Jul 6.