Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted vaginal infection that occurs mainly in women although men can have it and simply not know it because it usually does not cause symptoms in men. Caused by a singled celled protozoan parasite, trichomoniasis inhabits the vagina in women and the urethra in men and is transmitted by skin to skin contact or bodily fluids. It is also possible but very rare to get this parasite outside of sexual contact, as it can live in a moist environment for a while, so possible transmission vehicles may be things such as a wet towel or bathing suit.

While most men do not have any symptoms with trichomoniasis , a man who is infected with this parasite may notice a mild irritation in the penis, burning that occurs after urination or ejaculation or a mild discharge. For women the symptoms can be much more noticeable and annoying and include a frothy green or yellow discharge, itching and tenderness around the affected area, a foul odor, pain or bleeding during sex, swelling, and painful urination.

Prevention of trichomoniasis is to simply avoid having sex if you are not in a committed relationship; however it has been proven that condoms can provide some protection against this and other sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms however should not be relied on as disease protection.

Trichomoniasis can cause complications such as increasing a woman’s susceptibility to the HIV virus, and being pregnant and having trichomoniasis has been known cause premature birth and low birth weight in babies. It is important therefore if you are sexually active to get regularly tested for STDs to ensure that you are promptly treated should they occur.

Trichomoniasis is diagnosed in women by the presence of small red sores on the cervix or vaginal wall, because of the lack of symptoms and the fact that it lives up in the urethra it can be very difficult to diagnose in men.

Treating this STD is very simple and easy; usually a single dose of tinidazole or metronidazole by mouth is all that is required. Because this disease is passed easily during sexual intercourse, most doctors prefer to treat both the female and male at the same time even if the male has no symptoms. Because a man can have trichomoniasis and be symptom free it is possible for him to pass this STD back to his partner or other sexual partners without realizing.