Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic bacteria that causes the sexually transmitted infection known as trichomoniasis or more informally, trich. Women infected with trich show symptoms, while infected men usually do not.1,2
The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics estimate that each year there are over 160 million new cases of trich. North America alone has up to eight million of these new Trichomonas vaginalis infections, with half estimated to not know about it. Don’t let that person be you.3
Symptoms of trichomoniasis
- Vaginitis (inflammation of the vulva and vavina – may itch or be sore)
- Frothy green ‘musty’, foul smelling discharge
- Can smell like rotting fish
- ‘Strawberry’ cervix or vagina due to the blood capillaries dilating because of the inflammation caused by the infection
- Men, although usually asymptomatic, may get some urethral signs
Diagnosis of trichomoniasis
Go to the doctor and get an STI check to find out if you test positive to Trichomonas vaginalis. A vaginal (women) or urethral swab (men) will be necessary that will show infection with trich.4
Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infections
A positive STI test for Trichomonas vaginalis will result in treatment with antibiotics, usually metronidazole and/or tinidazole. Metronidazole is usually given for a week, then tinidazole for two days, which appears to be more effective than a single dose of either. Treat your lover(s).5
What if I don’t get treated for trich?
A Trichomonas vaginalis infection, despite making your vagina smell terrible, will interfere with carrying a baby to term, your baby’s birth weight, and make it far easier for you to catch other infections like HIV and HPV (the cause of cervical cancer).6,7
Trichomonas vaginalis can also cause pneumonia, bronchitis, and mouth ulcers. Condoms are no guarantee of not passing on trich, as all it takes is a sticky finger to give it away. There is also a link between trich in men and aggressive prostate cancer.
References
- 1.Kissinger P. Trichomonas vaginalis: a review of epidemiologic, clinical and treatment issues. BMC Infect Dis. Published online August 5, 2015. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1055-0
- 2.Edwards T, Burke P, Smalley H, Hobbs G. Trichomonas vaginalis: Clinical relevance, pathogenicity and diagnosis. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. Published online November 10, 2014:1-12. doi:10.3109/1040841x.2014.958050
- 3.Tompkins EL, Beltran TA, Gelner EJ, Farmer AR. Prevalence and risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection among adults in the U.S., 2013–2014. Morgan E, ed. PLoS ONE. Published online June 16, 2020:e0234704. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234704
- 4.Hobbs MM, Seña AC. Modern diagnosis ofTrichomonas vaginalisinfection. Sex Transm Infect. Published online April 30, 2013:434-438. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051057
- 5.Bouchemal K, Bories C, Loiseau PM. Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis Infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. Published online July 2017:811-825. doi:10.1128/cmr.00109-16
- 6.Van Der Pol B. Clinical and Laboratory Testing for Trichomonas vaginalis Infection. Kraft CS, ed. J Clin Microbiol. Published online January 2016:7-12. doi:10.1128/jcm.02025-15
- 7.Silver BJ, Guy RJ, Kaldor JM, Jamil MS, Rumbold AR. Trichomonas vaginalis as a Cause of Perinatal Morbidity. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Published online June 2014:369-376. doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000000134
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