Trichomoniasis

What is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a protozoan organism called trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite can be transmitted from person to another through sexual contact that involves the genitals. It cannot be spread through hugging, kissing or even sharing dishes. When contracted, this protozoan can cause infections. Women will have vaginal infections while men can have infections of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that is responsible for transporting urine from the bladder to the outside. Trichomoniasis can also cause prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate glands.

While this infection, often, shows no symptoms, some do report signs that start surfacing between 5- and 28-days post infection. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around thirty percent of people with this infection report having symptoms. In women, symptoms include having a frosty vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant and is white, gray or yellowish. Other signs include vaginal spotting, genital burning and itching, genital redness and swelling, frequently urinating, and experiencing pain during urination or sexual intercourse. For men, symptoms include having abnormal discharges from the urethra, having a burning sensation during urination and after ejaculation, and having an urge to urinate. This parasite can make the infected person feel very unpleasant. Trichomoniasis is highly curable by using medications like metronidazole or tinidazole. These are oral pills that are also safe to be administered to pregnant women.

Why take the Trichomoniasis test?

Trichomoniasis, just like other sexually transmitted diseases, seldomly shows symptoms; and, these symptoms are very similar to other infections. As a result, this parasitic infection cannot be diagnosed by relying only on symptoms. While your doctor may need to do a physical exam, your diagnosis depends on the results of a laboratory test: the Trichomoniasis test. The latter can diagnose an active infection with the parasite trichomonas vaginalis.

If you are at high risk of contracting Trichomoniasis; then, it is recommended that you get tested to keep yourself safe and healthy. You are at high risk of being infected if you are a sexually active individual with many sex partners, or have a history of sexually transmitted diseases. Engaging in unprotected sex and having been previously infected can also increase the risk.

It is essential to be diagnosed early to prevent trichomoniasis from becoming a more difficult infection to treat.

What can cause false results?

There is no evidence that any medication or external factors can alter the results of this test. However, getting tested at the right time is essential to prevent a false negative result. To obtain correct results, you should get tested for trichomoniasis 28 days after exposure, which is the incubation period of this parasite.

What your Trichomoniasis test results mean?

If test results for Trichomoniasis were negative; then, you do not have this parasite in your system and your symptoms may be due to another parasite. In case your health care professional still suspects trichomoniasis, another testing method may be ordered to confirm the results.

In case the test showed positive results; then, you do have an infection caused by the parasite trichomonas vaginitis. In that case, you will need to be treated with a proper course of prescription medications. Your sexual partner should also be tested; and, if found positive, treated. It is necessary for infected person to tell his or her sexual partner about it so they can get tested and treated.

Preventing this parasitic infection means that you have to abstain from any vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Sexually active individuals need to properly and continuously use condoms once having sex. Since a man does not need to ejaculate to pass on the parasite, the condom has to be placed before the male member touches the vagina, mouth or anus.

Where can I get a Trichomoniasis test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Feb 01, 2022