Trichomoniasisis sparked by the parasiteTrichomonas vaginalis.
However, STD testing technology has improved greatly in the last few years.
Now, trichomoniasis is more often looked for usingDNA amplificationorrapid testingtechniques.
© Verywell, 2018
Such techniques can find the parasites even when very few are present in a urine or other sample.
Testing for trichomoniasis is important becausemany infected people have no symptoms.
Many people can remain asymptomatic for trichomoniasis for years.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
However, even when no symptoms are present, trichomoniasis can still cause health problems or infect a partner.
At-Home Testing
Several companies have begun to offeronlineor at-home testing for various STDs, including trichomoniasis.
Samples for at-home trichomoniasis tests can include urine and vaginal swabs.
These samples are then mailed to or dropped off at, a lab for testing.
At-home trichomoniasis testing can be a good option for people who are uncomfortabletalking to their healthcare providers about STDs.
However, at-home tests are not for everyone.
At-home tests are not covered by insurance, and they can be quite expensive.
This information should be available wherever you purchase your test.
Note:There are no “instant” home tests for trichomoniasis.
The Trichomonas parasite is very distinctive looking, and it is easy to identify.
However, there are problems with this jot down of testing.
It is much lesssensitivethan other types of tests.
How well the tests work is also very dependent on how samples are collected and treated.
Culture Analysis
Another way to test for trichomoniasis is to useculture techniques.
These techniques attempt to grow trichomonas from collected samples.
Culture is up to 95% sensitive and more sensitive than microscopy.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Molecular tests for trichomoniasis work in several different ways.
There are several types of these tests.
Perhaps the most common are nucleic amplification tests.
These look for small amounts ofT.
vaginalisDNA in urine, vaginal, urethral, or rectal samples.
Other molecular tests exist as well.
Rapid tests can use antibodies to detect the presence of trichomonas in various samples.
These tests are more expensive than options like culture or microscopy, but they are also much easier.
They often don’t require special handling of samples, and results can be available quite quickly.
There are additional specialized tests that look for trichomonas DNA but do not amplify it.
These tests are less sensitive than amplification tests.
However, they are faster and less expensive.
Differential Diagnoses
Many STDs have similar symptoms or no symptoms at all.
As such, it’s very difficult to diagnose these conditions without diagnostic testing.
In communities where STDs are common, it is not unusual for people to be infected with multiple diseases.
Only then can appropriate treatment be prescribed.
In general, when you are tested for trichomonas you will simply receive a positive or negative result.
It is possible, however, for the tests to be incorrect.
If symptoms recur after you’ve been treated, additional testing may also be indicated.
At-home trichomoniasis test kits are available online and at drug stores.
There is no rapid test for trichomoniasis.
Results are typically available through a secure website.
However, research shows the tests arent very sensitive and can miss more than half of positive cases.
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Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
Van Der Pol B.Clinical and laboratory testing for trichomonas vaginalis Infection.J Clin Microbiol.
2016;54(1):7-12. doi:10.1128/JCM.02025-15
