Trichomonas Vaginalis

Trichomonas Vaginalis This infection is caused by a parasite that attacks the urethra and is characterised by discharge, itching and swelling.

What is it?

A trichomonas vaginalis infection is caused by a protozoan, or parasite, and is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Trichomonas mainly affects the urethra as it lives inside the urethra, and is more common in women than in men. It's about the size of a white blood cell and moves around the urethral and vaginal tissues, causing tissue ulceration by directly damaging the epithelium.

This infection is often asymptomatic so it can be difficult to diagnose, and when it does show symptoms, they are often associated with or similar to other STIs. Trichomonas can easily be passed on during unprotected sex and is very unlikely to disappear without treatment, although complications arising from this infection are quite rare.

What are the symptoms of trichomonas vaginalis?

Even though the trichomonas vaginalis infection rarely shows any symptoms, it can still be passed on through sexual intercourse. Trichomonas vaginalis symptoms are more commonly experienced by women rather than men and are usually experienced within five to 28 days after infection.

This infection mainly affects the urethra in men, and occasionally the prostate gland (a gland at the entrance to the bladder that helps to produce semen). Men may experience increased and painful urinations and a thin white discharge from the urethra, often after ejaculation, as well as discomfort after sexual intercourse. Men may also – rarely – experience an inflamed foreskin.

Trichomonas vaginalis mainly affects the vagina and urethra in women. Typical symptoms may include pain during sexual intercourse or when urinating, groin or lower abdominal pain, vaginal itching, and soreness and inflammation of the vagina. It is also quite common for women to experience a change in vaginal discharge, with it becoming thicker, thinner or frothy and appearing greenish-yellow in colour. It may also be accompanied by an unpleasant fishy smell.

What are the risks?

A trichomonas vaginalis infection isn't as risky as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but it still noticeably increases your risk of susceptibility to HIV and AIDS. It is often also found in people infected with gonorrhoea, so it’s advisable to get tested for both infections at the same time. It can lead to prostatitis in men and it increases the risk of premature labour in women.

Trichomonas often weakens the cervical mucous, which helps to protect women’s reproductive organs from getting infected. In addition, if you are pregnant and contract this infection, your baby is put at risk of developing complications such as premature birth or being born with a low birth weight.

Can trichomonas vaginalis be cured?

A proven and effective trichomonas vaginalis treatment is the Metronidazole antibiotic, which can be used to cure the infection. It can be taken as either a high dosage, once-off treatment or as a lower dosage treatment taken over a period of seven days.

Metronidazole is often prescribed as a 400mg dosage tablet, which is taken two times a day for one week. You also have the option of taking a 2000mg tablet as a single one-day dosage, but you should be aware that taking a high-level dosage of this antibiotic may increase your chances of experiencing side effects with this medication.

Taking a trichomonas vaginalis test

You can easily order an individual Trichomonas Vaginalis test, or a Full STI Screen test, online if you suspect that you may have contracted the trichomonas vaginalis infection. Once you have placed your order, we will send you a test kit containing a specimen tube, a transport cup and a pre-paid envelope. You urinate in the specimen tube and then seal it in the transport cup. Once you have placed the cup in the pre-paid envelope, you simply post it back to us. Our laboratory will then conduct the necessary tests and your results will be made available to you online within two to three days.