Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is commonly called ‘trich’ (sounds like “trick”). The infection may occur in the vagina or in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder).
To find out if you have trichomoniasis, you need to visit a health care provider and have lab tests done. Currently, lab tests can only find trichomoniasis in individuals with vaginal symptoms. Testing for trichomoniasis for those with external genitals (penis) is not routinely available or recommended.
Trichomoniasis is spread by having genital sex with a person who is infected with the parasite.
It is possible to have trichomoniasis and not have any symptoms.
For internal genitals (vagina) and external vulva, symptoms can include:
For external genitals (penis), symptoms can include:
If treated in time, trichomoniasis causes no lasting concerns. It may be linked with infertility or lower sperm count. If you are pregnant and have trichomoniasis, your baby may be born early (premature) and/or with a low birth weight. It is also associated with a higher chance of getting and passing HIV, other STIs and an increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Visit HealthLinkBC File #08c Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) for more information.
Trichomoniasis is usually treated with antibiotic pills called metronidazole. Nausea and vomiting and other serious side effects commonly occur if you drink alcohol within 12 hours before, during and 24 to 72 hours after taking metronidazole. To effectively treat the infection, it is important to follow the treatment instructions carefully and finish all the pills.
Sexual partners from the last 2 months also need treatment. If you have not had a sexual partner in the last 2 months, then your last sexual partner will need treatment. It takes time for the infection to clear from the body, so it is important that you do not have any oral, vaginal or anal sex for 7 days after you and your partner(s) start the antibiotic treatment.
Ensure you and your partner(s) finish the treatment. If you miss pills, experience vomiting after taking the pills, or have sex without the use of condoms or other prevention measures before you have finished all of the medication, there is a chance the infection will stay in your body. This may pass the infection back to you or your partner(s) and cause health problems later. If this happens, talk with your health care provider who will help you to decide if you or your partners need more treatment.
Re-testing after treatment is not necessary unless symptoms persist.
There is very little evidence to show that antibiotics make hormonal forms of birth control work less effectively. Examples of hormonal birth control include the pill, the patch, the ring and the shot. If you are being treated with antibiotics, it is important to keep using your birth control as you normally would. If you have concerns, use condoms until your next period starts after completing the antibiotics. Speak to your health care provider for more information.
When used correctly, external (“male”) and internal (“female”) condoms help prevent the spread of many STIs during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condoms are less effective at protecting against STIs transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes simplex virus, genital warts (human papillomavirus (HPV)), and syphilis (when sores are present).
A dental dam is a piece of thin latex that is placed over the vagina/internal genitals or anus during oral sex. It can also be called a latex barrier/sheet, latex dam, oral dam or sheet. Dental dams are a good way to lower the chance of getting or passing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are medications that can lower your chances of getting or passing on certain STIs. For more information, visit HealthLinkBC File #08o Preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Some STIs, such as hepatitis A, B and human papillomavirus (HPV) can be prevented with vaccines. Talk to your health care provider about how to get these vaccinations.
If you have recently changed sexual partners, or have multiple sex partners, getting regularly tested for STIs will tell you if you have an infection. Some people can have an STI and not have any symptoms. Finding and treating an STI reduces the chances of passing infections on to your partner(s).
The more partners you have, the higher your chance of getting exposed to STIs is.
Talk to your partner(s) about STIs and how you would like to prevent them before having sex. If you are having trouble discussing safer sex with your partner(s), talk about it with your health care provider or a counsellor.
For tips on how to talk to your partner(s), visit the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Smart Sex Resource https://smartsexresource.com/sexual-health/partners-communication/talking-to-your-partners/.
If you have a sexually transmitted infection and are sexually active, it is important to tell your sexual partner(s). This will enable them to make decisions about their health and testing.
For more information on how you can reduce your chance of getting an STI, visit HealthLinkBC File #08o Preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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