Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > STDs and Other Infections > STDs > Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis (Trichomonal Vaginitis)
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Trichomoniasis is another common form of vaginitis. It occurs in both adolescents and adults.
Trichomonas (how it looks under a microscope)
What causes trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-cell parasite called a trichomonad. Unlike yeast infections, you get trichomoniasis through sexual intercourse, so it is a sexually transmitted disease. Trichomoniasis lives and multiplies in men but hardly ever causes symptoms in men. Thus, a woman is often reinfected by her partner who isn’t aware of any symptoms. Women also may not know they have trichomoniasis for days or months. Other women have symptoms of discharge or burning with urination. The parasite affects the vagina, urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body), and bladder of women. Since the parasite lives in both males and females, both sexual partners need treatment.
If a woman has more than one sexual partner, her chance of getting trichomoniasis is much higher. Very rarely, the parasite can be passed on by wet towels, washcloths, and bathing suits. It is NOT spread by toilet seats.
What are some signs/symptoms of trichomoniasis?
The outward signs of trichomoniasis may include a yellow-gray-green, frothy vaginal discharge with a foul or fishy odor. The vagina may be sore and red and may burn and itch. It may be painful to urinate or have sexual intercourse. However, some women with trichomoniasis may not have any symptoms.
How can a health care provider definitely tell if I have trichomoniasis?
A health care provider will use a cotton swab to take a sample of your vaginal discharge and do some tests. The pH level of your vagina is higher (less acidic) than the normal level of 4.5, and the trichomonad parasite may be seen under the microscope. Trichomonads may be suspected by the results of a Pap test and you may be asked to come back to the office to see if you actually have the infection. Trichomoniasis can also be diagnosed by a culture or other special trichomonas DNA tests.
How is trichomoniasis treated?
If you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, your health care provider will give you a prescription for a specific antibiotic (most commonly metronidazole) for both you and your partner. (You and your partner should let your health care provider know about any other medications that you are taking.) Both of you need to be treated since trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease.
Medication for trichomoniasis is only available by prescription. You and your partner need to take the whole dose of the medication for it to be the most effective. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking the medication, or you will vomit. If you take all of the antibiotic dose, trichomoniasis is usually cured. You and your partner should avoid sexual intercourse until both of you are completely cured.
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Updated: 10/19/2009
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