Trichomoniasis or "Trich" is one of the most common STD among women. Learn the facts about trichomoniasis, Trich STD test, prevention, and treatment.
The STD Trichomoniasis ("Trich") is a common infection that spreads through sexual contact.
Trich STD is caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomoniasis vaginalis.
Protozoan parasites are like amoeba, a single cell organism that lives off the body without detection.
Trichomoniasis is not a viral or bacterial infection, unlike HIV, HPV (both viral) or syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (all bacterial).
Trich is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection that is easily curable with a few pills.
There were almost 7 million infections of Trich STI in the US in 2018. And there were over 2 million ongoing infections at any given time.
Women have six-times more infections with the STD trichomoniasis than men.
Therefore, trichomoniasis is globally more common in women than all the combined infections of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Trich STD seems to be more common in older women (ages 40-49), especially among those with more than one partner in a year.
Trich is less common among gay and homosexual men but can spread from men to women, women to men, and also from women to women.
Because labs are not required to report trichomoniasis STD infections to CDC, the real numbers may never be known.
However, some clinics have reported the rate of Trich infections among women to be 15% to 27% and among men around 10%.
Almost 30% people never develop any Trich STD symptoms.
In most cases, it can take from one week to a month to develop the symptoms.
They start with mild itch or skin irritation in the groin area.
But in serious cases, skin might inflame with burning sensation.
Trich STD symptoms are mainly confined to the genital area.
In men, the infection is often inside the penis (or urethra).
For women, Trich infection mainly affects the lower vaginal area around cervix, vulva and urethra.
Once infected, even peeing can cause burning and discomfort.
Sexual intercourse can be uncomfortable and risk of other diseases, e.g., HIV can increase.
Often, Trich symptoms can come and go but they differ among men and women.
Itching and irritation around the genitals and inside the penis.
Sore, red skin around genitals that gets worse with scratching.
Unexpected discharge from penis.
Burning sensation after ejaculation or urination.
Unexpected vaginal discharge with clear, white, yellow, or green color.
Fishy smell that can't be explained.
Strawberry-appearing cervix (during a cervical-cancer exam).
Early pregnancy and low birth weight (below 5.5 lbs) can be due to invisible Trich STD symptoms (1.4-fold higher risk).
Trichomoniasis doesn't often spread with oral or rectal sex.
Therefore, swabs or saliva are not recommended for testing.
Today's PCR urine STD tests are highly sensitive to detect a Trich infection.
The NAAT testing (or nucleic acid amplification test) method is similar to a COVID-19 PCR test. It checks for the DNA of the parasite causing the infection.
It's difficult to diagnose Trich STD from symptoms alone. A common STD test can help confirm your symptoms.
A trichomoniasis STD test should be performed 2-3 weeks after suspected infection. Testing earlier might increase the risk of a negative test despite infection.
The Planned Parenthood and CDC recommend at-home STD tests, as they are a convenient and discreet way to test for trich.
Having fewer partners and using safe sex (e.g., with condom) can help prevent a trichomoniasis STD infection.
In general, Trich is easily curable with medication.
However, re-infection rate is almost 20% in next 3 months.
To prevent infection, both partners should be treated. And they should avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is complete.
Both partners should be tested again to confirm the treatment worked and you are fully recovered.
The common treatment for Trich STD includes Metronidazole (0.5 gm orally twice daily for 7 days in women and 2 gm daily for men).
Tinidazole (2 gm daily) is another treatment for trichomoniasis. Both belong to the class of nitroimidazoles.
Order an STD Test kit for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis.
What are the Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections? - a concise list and short summary.
Chlamydia - STD Symptoms, At Home Testing and Treatment - know more about this easily treatable sexually transmitted disease.
Hormone Imbalance in Women - Role of Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone - learn about key hormones for living a full life.
Hormone Testing - Role of FSH and LH Hormone Levels - how the two key hormones change with age.
Testosterone and Aging - an in-depth summary of science behind the male hormone.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines 2021, Recommendations and Reports, July 23, 2021, 70(4);1–187.
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm, National Academies, Mar 2023.
About Trichomoniasis - a CDC guide.
Prevalence and Correlates of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection Among Men and Women in the United States, Patel et. al., Clin Infect Dis 2018.
