ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Trichomoniasis

What is trichomoniasis?

4 May 2021

It is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted diseases, it consists of an infection caused by a unicellular protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although it is curable and most of the time there are no symptoms (more than 75% of those infected are asymptomatic), especially in men, it causes itching, pain, and burning when urinating in women, as well as foul vaginal discharge.

Although symptoms are not serious, trichomoniasis, also called trich, is a danger during pregnancy, since it increases the risk of premature birth and other complications.

Both members of the couple must receive treatment with parasiticidal medication at the same time because otherwise, there could be constant reinfections.

As in all sexually transmitted diseases, to prevent them it is recommended to always use a condom when having sexual intercourse.

Parasite incubation is not known with certainty, but it is considered that it does not exceed 20 days.

Signs and symptoms Trichomoniasis

Women:

  • Foul vaginal discharge that is ivory, white, or yellow in color.
  • Irritation and itching in the genital area.
  • Burning and pain during intercourse and urination.

Men:

  • Burning inside the penis.
  • Irritation when urinating or ejaculating.
  • Viscous discharge emanating from the penis.

Potential risks:

  • Having had other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Promiscuity.
  • Having unprotected sex.
  • Having previously suffered from trichomoniasis.

Is important for pregnant women to make sure they are not infected, due to several complications that can be triggered by trichomoniasis, such as:

  • Very low-weight baby.
  • Infect the baby during childbirth.
  • Premature birth.
  • Increased risk of HIV infection.

As with all sexually transmitted diseases, the most effective prevention methods are abstinence and the use of a condom during sexual intercourse.

Diagnosis and treatment Trichomoniasis

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and take samples of vaginal discharge if you are a woman and urine if you are a man, to be analyzed in the laboratory and determine the possible infection.

In case the results are not definitive, the diagnosis could be supported with antigen tests and DNA amplification.

The treatment is usually the intake of high doses of parasiticidal medication for seven or eight days, the most commonly used medication being metronidazole.

It is important that both members of the couple take the medication at the same time and do not have sexual intercourse with each other or with other people until trichomoniasis has been eradicated.

Your doctor will probably tell you that you should undergo another exam in the months after treatment to rule out possible reinfections.

Comprehensive women’s health is our priority at the Women’s Center, so we offer services focused on women in all their chronological stages with the highest standards of care to improve their quality of life, through a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services.

It has three specialized units:

  • Obstetrics Center.
  • Gynecology Center.
  • Gynecology in adolescence.

Reasons to choose our Women’s Center:

  • Multidisciplinary team: we have obstetrician-gynecologists and specialized nurses who provide gynecological and prenatal care.
  • Personalized and humane care: our services are designed to meet your individual needs and preferences, ensuring that you receive humane care that allows you to have a healthy life.
  • Better treatment options: reducing hospitalization times, quicker and less painful recovery, and taking care of the aesthetic appearance of our patients.
  • Robot surgery: we have a great technological development that allows us to perform more precise surgical procedures using robotic instruments and an endoscopic video camera.
  • Comfortable facilities with state-of-the-art technology: in case of requiring special care, we have facilities fully equipped with the latest technological advances.

Related centers and departments Trichomoniasis

Fuentes: 

  • cigna.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com 
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cdc.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Trejos VR. Tricomoniasis. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2012;69(601):113-117.
  • Carrada-Bravo T. Tricomoniasis vaginal. Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura. Rev Mex Patol Clin Med Lab. 2006;53(3):151-156.
  • Trejo y PJA, Hernández LB, Carrasco RJR, et al. Guía clínica para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de cervicovaginitis por bacterias, trichomonas y cándida. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2003;41(Suppl: 1):71-76.
  • Sánchez HJA, Muñoz ZG, Mendoza LE, et al. Incidencia de Trichomonas vaginalis en muestras vaginales del 2001 al 2006 en el Departamento de Biología Celular FMBUAP. Acta Cient Estud. 2008;6(2):45-52.

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