What Is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is the most common curable STI in the United States, and it affects women more often than men. The parasite infects the vagina in women and the urethra in men. Many people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms, so they can pass the infection on without knowing it. When symptoms do appear, they can include itching, discharge, and discomfort during sex or urination. Trichomoniasis is easily treated with a single dose of antibiotics, and testing is simple. This guide explains trichomoniasis symptoms, how it spreads, how testing works, treatment, and prevention.

Symptoms

Most people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms, and the CDC estimates that about 70% of infected people never notice anything wrong. When symptoms appear in women, they can include itching or irritation in the vagina, a frothy yellow-green discharge with a strong odor, and discomfort during sex or urination.

Men with trichomoniasis usually have no symptoms, but some notice itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination, or a thin discharge. Symptoms can come and go, which makes the infection easy to overlook. Because so many cases are silent, testing is the only way to know your status.

How It Spreads

Trichomoniasis spreads through unprotected vaginal sex with an infected partner. The parasite passes from one person to another during sex, and it is more common in women than in men. It can also be passed between female partners through genital contact.

The parasite can survive on damp objects for a short time, but it is rarely spread through toilet seats, swimming pools, or shared towels. Condoms reduce the risk when used correctly and every time. If you test positive, your partners should be treated too, or you can pass the infection back and forth.

Testing

Trichomoniasis testing is simple. For women, the most common method is a vaginal swab, which the lab checks for the parasite. Some tests use a urine sample, and newer NAAT tests are highly accurate and can detect the parasite's genetic material.

The parasite can be hard to see under a microscope, so NAAT testing is preferred when available. Symptoms usually appear five to twenty-eight days after exposure, but testing can detect the infection even without symptoms. Early testing matters because untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of other STIs and pregnancy complications.

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Treatment and Cure

Trichomoniasis is curable. A single dose of an antibiotic called metronidazole or tinidazole, taken by mouth, clears the infection in most cases. You should avoid alcohol while taking the medication and for a few days after, because it can cause severe nausea.

Both partners need treatment at the same time, even if one has no symptoms, or the infection will bounce back and forth. Retesting a few weeks after treatment is recommended to confirm the infection is gone. Untreated trichomoniasis can raise the risk of getting other STIs and can cause complications in pregnancy.

Prevention

Using condoms correctly during vaginal sex is the best way to prevent trichomoniasis. Regular STI screening is also important, because most people with the infection have no symptoms. If you have a new partner or multiple partners, testing gives you peace of mind.

If you test positive, tell your partners so they can be treated, and avoid sex until treatment is complete. Because the infection often causes no symptoms, routine testing is the only way to catch it early and protect your health.