Causes of Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection and Its Management

Q: I am a 37 yrs old man. I have never cheated on my wife. But she just found out she had trichomoniasis. We recently have been trying anal intercourse. Is it possible that she could have gotten this STD from this mode?
-By Dre

Reply:

The causative organism of trichomoniasis is a protozoa called trichomonas vaginalis, which lives in vaginal and urethral tissues. It does not live in places like mouth, rectum or anus.

So it spreads through penile- vagina contact (commonest) or vulva- vulvar contact. It does not spread during anal intercourse.

However, though grouped under STDs, trich can spread through non-sexual ways also.

Non-sexual Transmission of Trichomonas

The protozoa can survive on moist, warm surfaces outside the human body for some time. So it can spread through:

  • Infected Jacuzzis
  • Public bath tubs
  • Infected toilet seats
  • Used towels, in hotels, swimming pools etc.

Common Symptoms

If one partner has this disease, it is assumed that both the partners are infected. This is because this condition is very contagious. The female usually presents with symptoms. The male partner, however, may or may not show any symptom.

In Women

  • Itching in vulval and vaginal regions.
  • Itching on inner thighs may be there
  • The vulva may be red and slightly swollen
  • Discomfort during intercourse
  • Vaginal discharge may be there. It is usually greenish -yellow in color. Thin or frothy in consistency.

Diagnosis

Are you sure your wife has trich? You need to confirm this before starting treatment.

Your wife needs to go to a doctor for a gynecology checkup. The doctor will do a pelvic exam.

Small red sores suggesting trichomonas vaginalis may be seen. The discharge from the vagina is examined to detect the presence of the parasite in it.

Pap smear may be required.

Treatment

It is a rule to treat both the partners simultaneously. Even if the male shows no symptoms, he requires treatment. (He may be harboring the parasite in his urethral tissue in a asymptomatic way.)

Treatment is simple. An antibiotic course is all that is required.

The drug of choice is metronidazole. Avoid taking alcohol with this drug as it interacts adversely with it.

Abstain from sex till the treatment is complete.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Mode of Transmission of Trichomoniasis and Its Treatment

  1. Bad luck

    My husband gave me trichomoniasis and when he finally admitted it, he said the all time “it was just one time and I wore a condom but it broke.” I actually forgave him and for the last six months I have tried hard to move past it but I really can’t. Any advice?

    Reply
  2. Marie

    I had a new sexual partner. We both talked about safe sex and we were both confident that we were clean. After sex, I started having signs of an std so I got tested and showed positive for trich and BV. I informed him and we both got treatment. After 3 days of finishing the medicine, we had sex again. We both used metronidazole for 7 days, although his dose was twice a day and a higher mg than mine. Now I am having symptoms all over again. Could the medicine not have worked and now we have infected each other again. Should we have waited longer than 3 days after the treatment to have intercourse again? I called my doctor and she said it should have worked.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Appears to be a reinfection. Maybe, you got the infection from some other source, like infected commode, pool etc.

      For now, you need the treatment again.

      Reply
  3. Anna

    A man gave it to me he didn’t have it but he had something on his fingers and he raped me with it because he thought that I cheated on him. It took many years to get diagnosed I’d like to ask him what he had on his fingers it haunts me I just wish I knew but all the doctors in the world can’t help me I think I’d like to ask you to call him I have his no.

    Reply
  4. ed

    if u have sex with a girl that has trichomonas And the condom brakes and u stop Dose that mean you have trick how long does it take to get it during sex

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      There are chances that you catch trichomoniasis from that girl if the condom broke. It takes just a few seconds for the parasite to infect you.

      Reply
  5. MK

    In may of 2017, during a regular gynechologist’s check up, I was diagnosed with an anomalie that could eventually be something similar to a HPV. The following year, I redid a pap test and my doctor found a mild case of tichomonas. If I had Trichomonas, would it not have be found in previous pap tests that I have done? Normally, I do one every 2 years. I have had sexual relations with the same partner for the last 28 years. He was examined by pocking a needle into his penis, and apparently it turns out that he does not have a trichomonas. I know that it is harder to detect in men but should I insist that he undergo another exam? I am just baffled because I know that I have not had extra marital relations and he, too, says the same to me. So how did trichomonas come into our lives? It’s a real headache because regardless of the trust we have in each other, this seems to create a bit of uncertainty. Thank,you,for your reply.

    Reply
  6. Jason

    Is it possible for a woman to be in a relationship AND have trichomonas for 3 years without EVER giving it to her boyfriend?! Like can a man actually NEVER catch trichomonas in 3 years with ONE WOMAN AND NO condom use?!

    Reply
  7. LD

    I was recently diagnosed with Trich. I’ve had the same partner for 9 years. I know I have been faithfully and he has also. But I work in the transportation industry so I’m basically using a port o potty after all the passengers. Is it possible that I could have gotten it off the seat from from of them?

    Reply

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