Trichomonas is detected more often in people with vaginas than those who have a penis.
Many people don’t have any symptoms of infection#
When symptoms are present, they may include:
- vaginal or vulval itching
- burning. People with a penis usually don’t develop symptoms
- but they may be carriers of the infection. Some may experience discharge from the penis
- burning during urination
If you have a vagina, a vaginal examination and swab is required.
If you have a penis, a swab is taken if discharge is present. Otherwise, a urine sample can be collected and tested.
Antibiotics are used to treat trichomonas#
Standard treatment for trichomonas is: metronidazole (Flagyl) – a single dose, 400 mg oral tablet twice daily for 7 days, taken with food (for people with a vagina) metronidazole – 2 g tablet single dose (for people with a penis). Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after taking metronidazole.
This medication may cause: a metallic taste in your mouth, which will disappear soon after the treatment is completed.
If you have trichomonas, all your sexual partners need to be treated – even if you have no symptoms. Avoid sexual contact until one week after treatment starts and any symptoms have resolved. (Remember, if your partner starts treatment after you, don’t have sex until a week after the date they started.) After completing treatment, the best way to protect yourself and partners from trichomonas, is to use during sex.
Occasionally, trichomonas may recur after the initial infection has been treated.
If this happens, see your doctor, who may prescribe a longer course of treatment#
When you’ve been diagnosed with an STI like trichomonas, all of your sexual partners (regular and casual) from the last few months needs to be informed, tested and treated.
If they don’t know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated.
They may also experience serious problems later on#
Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community. Your local doctor and sexual health center can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called ‘partner notification’.
It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected. for sample conversations, emails, text messages and letters you can send to your partners either personally or anonymously. There are also nurses (called partner notification officers) who can help you anonymously notify your partners.
They can be contacted on Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator (Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained doctor on site).
To book an appointment call SHV Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: or call SHV Box Hill Clinic: or (free call):. (formerly Michigan AIDS Council), Wodonga.: is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options Trichomonas (or trichomoniasis) and its causes Trichomonas (also known as trichomoniasis or ’trich’) is caused by the organism Trichomonas vaginalis It is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) Trichomonas during pregnancy may lead to low birth weight babies and premature birth Trichomonas symptoms a yellowy green, ‘frothy’ discharge an unpleasant odor Diagnosing trichomonas Trichomonas treatment Possible side effects of trichomonas treatment nausea or an upset stomach Preventing trichomonas reinfection condoms (internal or external) Managing recurrent trichomonas Letting partners know you have trichomonas If you have difficulty telling your partners, you can use Let Them Know
Where to get help#
Key Points#
- Many people don’t have any symptoms of infection
- When symptoms are present, they may include: vaginal or vulval itching and burning
- People with a penis usually don’t develop symptoms, but they may be carriers of the infection
- Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after taking metronidazole
- This medication may cause: a metallic taste in your mouth, which will disappear soon after the treatment is completed
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.