Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis: Introduction
Trichomoniasis is a common type of sexually transmitted disease. Trichomoniasis is the result of an infection by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
In trichomoniasis, Trichomonas vaginalis multiples and infects the vagina of a women. In men Trichomonas vaginalis infects the epididymis, prostate, and/or the bladder.
Trichomoniasis is passed from one person another during sexual contact that involves penis-to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact in homosexual women. The more sexual partners a person has, the greater the risk of catching a trichomoniasis infection. Trichomoniasis is generally not spread through contact with such objects as toilet seats.
Trichomoniasis that is diagnosed early can be quickly and easily treated. However, if left untreated trichomoniasis can lead to serious complications, including an increased risk for catching and transmitting other sexually transmitted diseases. Symptoms of trichomoniasis can include vaginal discharge in women, but men may have no symptoms until complications of trichomoniasis develop. For details about additional symptoms and serious complications, refer to symptoms of trichomoniasis.
A diagnosis of trichomoniasis infection can easily be made by taking a medical and sexual history, performing simple trichomoniasis testing, and completing a physical and pelvic examination for women and an exam of the penis and testicles for men. During the examination, the health care practitioner will assess the reproductive organs and take a swab sample of the woman's vagina and cervix or the man's urethra and have it tested for the presence of trichomoniasis. For women with severe symptoms that may indicate the development of pelvic inflammatory disease, a pelvic ultrasound may also be done.
A urine test may also be done to diagnose trichomoniasis of the bladder in men.
Because there may be no symptoms in the early stage of trichomoniasis in men, some infected men may be unaware of a problem, and a diagnosis of trichomoniasis infection can be missed or delayed. In addition, symptoms of trichomoniasis are similar to symptoms of other diseases. For more information on misdiagnosis and diseases that can mimic trichomoniasis, refer to misdiagnosis of trichomoniasis.
The first step in the treatment of trichomoniasis infection is prevention. Prevention of trichomoniasis infection is best accomplished by abstaining from sexual activity or having sex only within a mutually monogamous relationship in which neither partner is infected with trichomoniasis or another sexually transmitted disease. Latex condoms also provide some protection when used properly, but they are not 100 percent effective in preventing the transmission of trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Trichomoniasis is treatable and curable with medication. Prompt diagnosis and treatment increases the chances of preserving fertility and reducing other complications in both men and women. For more detailed information on treatment, refer to treatment of trichomoniasis. ...more »
Trichomoniasis:
Trichomonas vaginalis
is a microscopic parasite found worldwide. Infection with trichomonas is
called trichomoniasis (trick-oh-moe-nye-uh-sis). ... more about Trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis: Sexually transmitted parasitic infection.
More detailed information about the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of Trichomoniasis is available below.
Trichomoniasis: Symptoms
Symptoms of trichomoniasis infection can vary among individuals. It is not unusual for men with trichomoniasis to have no symptoms at all in the early stage of the disease. Symptoms of early disease or of trichomoniasis that is progressing in men include irritation of the urethra, penis discharge, or burning with urination or ejaculation.
If left untreated, a ...more symptoms »
Trichomoniasis: Treatments
Treatment of trichomoniasis infection starts with prevention. Preventive measures include seeking regular medical care throughout the lifetime. Regular medical care allows a licensed health care professional to best evaluate the risks of contracting a trichomoniasis infection and regularly test for the disease with a simple swab test. These measures greatly increase the chances of diagnosing and ...more treatments »
Trichomoniasis: Misdiagnosis
A prompt diagnosis and treatment of trichomoniasis infection increases the chances of preserving fertility and preventing other complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and prostatitis.
Trichomoniasis is quick and easy to diagnose, but a diagnosis can be missed or delayed because there are often no symptoms in men. Symptoms that do occur in men and ...more misdiagnosis »
Symptoms of Trichomoniasis
See full list of 25
symptoms of Trichomoniasis
Treatments for Trichomoniasis
Read more about treatments for Trichomoniasis
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Trichomoniasis:
Wrongly Diagnosed with Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis: Related Patient Stories
Trichomoniasis: Deaths
Read more about Deaths and Trichomoniasis.
Diagnostic Tests for Trichomoniasis
- Discharge swab tests
- Microscopic examination of discharge
- more tests...»
Read more about tests for Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Trichomoniasis:
Causes of Trichomoniasis
Read more about causes of Trichomoniasis.
Disease Topics Related To Trichomoniasis
Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Trichomoniasis:
Trichomoniasis: Undiagnosed Conditions
Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
Misdiagnosis and Trichomoniasis
Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely
to cause some level of diarrhea in patients.
The reason is that antibiotics kill off not only "bad" bacteria,
but can also...read more »
Misdiagnosed weight-related causes of infertility: A woman's weight status
can affect her level of fertility.
Although obesity or overweight can in themselves reduce...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research related physicians and medical specialists:
- Infertility Specialists:
- Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
- Womens Health Specialists:
- more specialists...»
Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:
Hospitals & Clinics: Trichomoniasis
Research quality ratings and patient safety measures
for medical facilities in specialties related to Trichomoniasis:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »
Choosing the Best Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Trichomoniasis,
on hospital performance and surgical care quality:
Trichomoniasis: Rare Types
Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:
Trichomoniasis: Animations
More Trichomoniasis animations & videos
Prognosis for Trichomoniasis
Prognosis for Trichomoniasis:
Trichomoniasis can
usually be cured with the prescription drug metronidazole given by mouth
in a single dose. (Source: excerpt from Trichomoniasis: DSTD)
More about prognosis of Trichomoniasis
Research about Trichomoniasis
Visit our research pages for current research about Trichomoniasis treatments.
Clinical Trials for Trichomoniasis
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally
and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Trichomoniasis include:
See full list of 6
Clinical Trials for Trichomoniasis
Prevention of Trichomoniasis
Prevention information for Trichomoniasis has been compiled from various data sources
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Trichomoniasis.
Read more about prevention of Trichomoniasis
Statistics for Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis: Broader Related Topics
Types of Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis Message Boards
Related forums and medical stories:
User Interactive Forums
Read about other experiences, ask a question about Trichomoniasis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:
Article Excerpts about Trichomoniasis
Trichomonas Infection: DPD (Excerpt)
Trichomonas vaginalis
is a microscopic parasite found worldwide. Infection with trichomonas is
called trichomoniasis (trick-oh-moe-nye-uh-sis). Trichomoniasis is one of
the most common sexually transmitted diseases, mainly affecting
16-to-35-year old women. In the United States, it is estimated that 2
million women become infected each year. (Source: excerpt from Trichomonas Infection: DPD)
Trichomoniasis: DSTD (Excerpt)
Trichomoniasis is a
common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both women and men,
although symptoms are more common in women. (Source: excerpt from Trichomoniasis: DSTD)
Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)
Trichomoniasis, sometimes referred to as "trich," is a common
STD that affects 2 to 3 million Americans yearly. It is caused by
a single-celled protozoan parasite called Trichomonas
vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is primarily an infection of the
urogenital tract; the urethra is the most common site of infection
in man, and the vagina is the most common site of infection in
women. (Source: excerpt from Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Vaginal Infections & Vaginitis: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Trichomoniasis, sometimes referred to as "trich," is a common STD that
affects 2 to 3 million Americans yearly. It is caused by a single-celled
protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is
primarily an infection of the urogenital tract; the urethra is the most
common site of infection in men, and the vagina is the most common site of
infection in women. (Source: excerpt from Vaginal Infections & Vaginitis: NWHIC)
Definitions of Trichomoniasis:
A species of TRICHOMONAS that produces a refractory vaginal discharge in females, as well as bladder and urethral infections in males.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Infection of the vagina
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Contents for Trichomoniasis:
User Surveys and Discussion Forums
» Next page:
What is Trichomoniasis?
Medical Tools & Articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards: