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Trichomoniasis

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Causes

It is caused by a parasite. It passes between people during sex.

Risk Factors

It is more common in women than men. The risk may be higher for those who:

Have many sex partners
Do not use condoms with sex
Have had STIs before

Symptoms

The infection does not always cause symptoms. When they happen, they may be:

In women:

A bad-smelling, greenish-yellow discharge from the vagina
Pain, itching, or burning of the genitals
Bleeding after sex

Infection Site in Women

In men:

Discharge from the penis
Itching or pain
Pain when passing urine
Pain in the testes or scrotum

Infection Site in Men

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, and sexual and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the pelvic area.

Testing involves:

Women—testing fluid or discharge from the vagina
Men—testing urine, semen, or discharge from the penis

A lab will check the samples for the parasite.

Treatment

The infection is treated with antibiotics. Sex partners may also need treatment.

Prevention

The risk of STIs is reduced by:

Always using condoms during sex
Only having sex with one person

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov

The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology
https://www.acog.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Sex & U—The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
https://www.sexandu.ca

The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada
http://sieccan.org

References:

Mercer F, Johnson PJ. Trichomonas vaginalis: pathogenesis, symbiont interactions, and host cell immune responses. Trends Parasitol. 2018;34(8):683-693.

Sexually transmitted diseases. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases. Accessed February 3, 2021.

Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 3, 2021.

Trichomoniasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/trichomoniasis. Accessed February 3, 2021.

Last reviewed September 2020 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 2/3/2021

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