Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
It is one one the most common STDs and may be referred to as “trich.
“The symptoms include itching, irritation, and discharge in women, and pain with urination in men.
Verywell
Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms if they become infected with trichomoniasis.
Symptoms in Women
Symptoms in women are usually more noticeable than the symptoms in men.
Women generally experience symptoms of trichomoniasis within 1 to 4 weeks of initial infection.
Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell
There is a stronger association between trichomoniasis and HIV for women than there is for men.
It is not spread by shaking hands, touching, or kissing.
Effects on the Body
In women, trichomoniasis causes a vaginal infection calledvaginitis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
In men, it infects the urethra, the tube inside the penis that carries sperm and urine.
The parasite invades the layer underneath the skin and produces an inflammatory reaction.
A swab of the vagina or cervix provides a small sample of vaginal secretions.
Your healthcare providers can then look at this sample under a microscope.
This diagnostic method is called using awet mount.It can be used to visualize the parasite itself.
The parasite that causes trichomoniasis is not always visible on a wet mount, though.
Diagnosis in Men
The physical examination is rarely abnormal in men who have trichomoniasis infection.
Treatment
Thetreatment of trichomoniasisis generally effective if you are otherwise in good health.
An alternative regimen for both men and women is a single 2-gram dose of Tindamax (tinidazole).
For men and women who were treated and the infection recurred, additional doses are prescribed.
For men, 500 mg of metronidazole twice a day for seven days is recommended.
There are cream and gel forms of metronidazole, but they are generally not effective for treating trichomoniasis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This is because It takes approximately one week for the medication to get rid of the infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
Planned Parenthood.Trichomoniasis (Trich).
Van der pol B.Clinical and Laboratory Testing for Trichomonas vaginalis Infection.
2017 Dec;93(S4):S31-S35.
Epub 2017 Jul 6.
