What is Trichomoniasis Vaginalis?
Trichomoniasis Vaginalis (usually shortened to Trich or TV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
Where to get help in Bexley?
If you are showing symptoms and want to get tested, you can visit your local sexual health clinic or GP in the London Borough of Bexley. They can provide confidential testing and treatment.
For more information, visit the NHS website or contact your local healthcare provider.
Trich is transmitted from vaginal sex or sharing sex toys, it is not thought to be transmitted via oral or anal sex.
The word ‘vaginalis’ misleads many into thinking that only females, or people with vaginas are affected, which is not true. Both sexes can get trich and it is important to know what the symptoms are.
Symptoms in females
If you have a vagina, the main symptoms are:
- Abnormal discharge, or producing more discharge than usual
- Soreness, irritation or swelling around the vagina, inner thighs, or vulva
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Pain during sex
Symptoms in males
If you have a penis, the main symptoms are:
- Pain during urination
- Painful ejaculation
- Penile discharge
- Soreness or swelling around the head of the penis or foreskin
Trich symptoms can be the same as other STI symptoms, so it is important to test to ensure you are being treated for the right infection.
Trich isn’t available during routine STI screenings or with online/at-home STI test kits, so it is important to book an appointment if you are showing symptoms.
Use Condoms: Consistently using condoms during sex can significantly reduce the risk of STIs.
Communicate with Partners: Open and honest communication with sexual partners about STI testing and protection is essential.
Sex toys: It’s best not to share sex toys, but if you do make sure you thoroughly clean your sex toys and use a new condom after each person.
Trich is treated with a course of antibiotic tablets. You should avoid sex during treatment and for at least a week (7 days) afterwards. It is important that your sexual partner(s) get treated too, even if they have no symptoms, to ensure you don’t pass the infection back and forth.
A doctor or nurse will assess your symptoms and ask about your recent sexual history, and you will usually have to provide a urine sample. They may need to examine your genitals or take a swab of any discharge that you have, for testing. This is important because trich shares symptoms with other STIs. You may also be tested for other infections at the same time because other STIs are more common in people with trich.
It is important to contact your sexual partner(s) if you test positive for trich, so they can receive treatment too. During your appointment the doctor or nurse may offer to do this for you anonymously.
Trich complications can differ depending on the genitals you have, but some both sexes can have reduced fertility with an untreated trich infection. You also have an increased risk of getting HIV.
If you have a vagina
Trich may also cause bacterial vaginosis (BV). If left untreated, Trich can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
If you have a penis:
Trich may cause a painful prostate infection called prostatitis.
Untreated Trich in pregnancy has an increased risk of early labour and a low birth weight for your baby. You may also be at a higher risk of getting sepsis after birth. It's very rare for you to pass it onto your baby, or for it to affect your baby after birth.