What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In fact, it is estimated that 10 million people contract the disease annually worldwide. This infection spreads from a person’s genitals to the genitals or rectum of someone else through sexual contact, although it can also be contracted through unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex. The infection is most commonly spread by having sex without a condom, although other ways to contract the disease are less common. It’s treated with antibiotics that must be taken daily.
If your symptoms don’t subside after three to four weeks, you should talk to a doctor. In the meantime, continue taking the medicine prescribed by your doctor until you no longer need them. And do your best to avoid sex during your period and after you start. These infections can make menstrual bleeding more painful and harder to manage.
What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
The symptoms of trichomoniasis will often match the other STIs you have been infected with previously. They are often the same as these, for example they will be pain in the area of the genitals.
They may also include:
- Bacterial vaginosis: These symptoms include vaginitis, and vaginal discharge.
- Bacterial trichomoniasis: This may show up as blackish/brown blood under the fingernail.
- Blocked pores: A small amount of black or brown fluid may show under the nails.
- Weight loss or weight gain
- A decrease in sex drive
- Pain while urinating
- Other vaginal infections
- Urogenital tuberculosis
- Other sexually transmitted infections
Causes of trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis may have been caused by the following factors:
Sexually transmitted infections: When there is sexual contact with an infected person, and then there is an infection, the STI may be passed to the next person. Most common ones are HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Certain sexually transmitted diseases: Any sexually transmitted disease is also a potential cause of trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis is also known as trich, trichomoniasis, trichomoniasis mores, and trichinellosis. This is because the parasite’s name actually means trich, which is the Latin word for hair.
People can get trichomoniasis if they do not have an adequately cleaned and dry vagina.
Vaginismus:
The muscles in the vagina may be so tight that the opening is closed, making it very difficult for the sperm to get through the vaginal canal to fertilize an egg.
If you suspect you may have trichomoniasis, you will need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Treatment for trichomoniasis will often require a few weeks of medication, which can either be given by mouth or through a pill.
There is no cure for trichomoniasis, but it can be treated with antibiotics.
Prevention of trichomoniasis
Stopping the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases is the best way to prevent trichomoniasis.
Washing your hands thoroughly before and after sex, and using condoms to protect your partner against other STIs, will also help.
Treatment for trichomoniasis
It is important to take the appropriate treatment for trichomoniasis if you believe you may have it. The standard treatment for trichomoniasis is called the single dose metronidazole pill.
This treatment will usually take around one week to complete and should cause no side effects. The best way to treat trichomoniasis is to take antibiotics.
If you are unsure if you have trichomoniasis, you should speak to a doctor.
If you have an infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. You will usually be given a single dose of a single antibiotic for either 3 to 7 days.
After this, you will need to take antibiotics until the infection has cleared.
If a person takes a higher dose of antibiotics than required, they will be more likely to have a resistant form of the infection. But, If taken the appropriate dose, they should be able to clear the infection.
If there are any symptoms, you will be referred to a doctor immediately. These include:
- Anyone with a rash
- If a person’s penis is dark, blistered, scaly, or painful
- Painful urination
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Overflow of urine
- Loose or mucus discharge from the vagina
- A vaginal discharge with blood
These symptoms can indicate the beginning of the disease, rather than trichomoniasis itself.
Trichomoniasis and other STIs
Trichomoniasis is not usually a serious infection. However, if left untreated it can cause long-term health problems.
Other STIs can cause the following problems:
- risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
- development of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the baby
- risk of blood clots in the brain
In rare cases, trichomoniasis can spread to a fetus in the uterus or a baby during pregnancy.
These complications are rare, but if they do occur, it will usually cause more severe symptoms than those of trichomoniasis.
It is possible to have an infection without symptoms, which can be further tested.
Conclusion
Trichomoniasis can be difficult to diagnose because it can present with similar symptoms to other conditions.
If you think you may have trichomoniasis, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
If a doctor suspects that you have the infection, they may need to take a sample of the fluid that passes through the penis during sexual intercourse.
Anyone who suspects they have trichomoniasis should tell their partner about the possibility of transmission and take their prescription for antibiotics as directed.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891552013000524
- https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-015-1055-0
Sirisha B