Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (pronounced trick-oh-mon-eye-a-sis) is infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. This is not a type of bacterium; it is a microscopic organism consisting of a single cell, like an amoeba. Under the microscope, it looks a rather attractive creature, because it swims around in a wobbly and rotating fashion, waving its four tiny antennae.

In the UK, trichomoniasis has become less common (whereas most other sexually transmitted infections have increased). No one knows why.

How is trichomoniasis transmitted?

Trichomoniasis is sexually transmitted. It does not always cause symptoms, so people may not know that they are carrying it. In fact, most men and about half of all women with Trichomonas have no symptoms themselves, but can unknowingly pass it on to someone else.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis seems to be most common in young sexually-active women, and in women nearing the menopause. In about half the women who have it, Trichomonas causes no symptoms. In the other half, it causes a foul-smelling discharge. The vulva (area round the opening of the vagina) is often itchy and sore. Passing urine may be painful.
Men commonly have no symptoms, or they may notice burning when they pass urine and/or a discharge from the urethra (pee hole).

What you should do

To relieve the itching and discomfort, put a couple of handfuls of salt in a bath of warm water, and sit in it for a while. If passing urine is painful, it may help to pee into the bath water. The salt bath will help symptoms, but will not get rid of the Trichomonas.
See a doctor for treatment with metronidazole tablets. You should not drink alcohol while you are taking it. It is a good idea to go to a genitourinary medicine clinic, because the clinic will be able to test you straight away, and tell you whether or not you have Trichomonas, and give you the treatment. The clinic will also be able to check for other infections, which are quite common in people with trichomoniasis.
If metronidazole does not clear the infection, other treatments can be used, such as tinidazole (Prescriber 2006;17:2942)
Your partner will also need to be checked and treated, and you should not have sex until both of you have completed the treatment.

If you are pregnant

Trichomonas infection can cause a premature birth, so doctors are keen to treat it if you are pregnant. However, there have been worries about using metronidazole in pregnancy, so a low dose is used.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 12th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Optional on 10/08/2011 at 10:26

can you get trichomoniasis from shaving your vagina and how can you get the pain to go away?

Posted by Lisa on 27/03/2011 at 09:02

I have been diagnosed with trich twice. Once I was 21 and again last year. I have only been with 2 partiners since then. I am married and we were both treated for it. I didn't cheat and I am positive he didn't either but now its been just over a year and I have itching. Is it possible that its trich and if so why does it keep coming back. Help please

Posted by Anonymous on 01/03/2011 at 06:08

Hey im 16 and I get an irritating itch down there.. It burns n sometimsz I cant even sleep because of it.. I used to get it when I was younger but it stopped. I recently started havin sex almost a year ago everything was good at first but then it came back and it always goes away n comes back again. I get it after my period and when I have sex with my boyfriend it doesnt feel good even if im wet... It will start ro burn hurt and itch. Please help me.. I need to know whats wrong

Posted by emily on 18/02/2011 at 07:25

if you think you have this then go to the clinic - you get the test the same day and the nurses and doctos are really nice - im so glad i got tested as i have unprotected sex once i told him to use a condom but he just got on top of me it was an unpleasant experience - he said he was clean - but doesnt like condoms - that doesnt sound good does it ? anyway 0 got tablets and 7 days course and then it will be clear - im in a lot of pain and i have discharge its been like this for two weeks - doctor said it was thrush but i wasnt convinced !! its not easy telling them about your sex life - but everyone has sex ! so get to the clinic if your worried - you will feel a lot better once its over !!

Posted by Jacky on 06/08/2010 at 08:45

I have this problem. I have a yellowish discharge but its not sticky its just like urine. And i have a vaginal itching too. Im so worried about this. Im afraid if this a STD, since i have unprotected sex. Im really afraid

Posted by Optional on 07/05/2010 at 02:22

My embarrassing problem is that i had a greenish discharge. And everything ive read about it says you catch it from having unprotected sex. But the thing is i have never had unprotected sex!!

Posted by natasha on 21/03/2010 at 04:45

my embrassing thing about my vaginal area is that the skin on the front part is long can anything be done on the NHS about this because it is causeing me problems and irritation and sometimes painful?