Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)

Symptoms of trichomoniasis usually develop within a month of infection, although up to half of all infected men and women have no symptoms.

In women:

• abnormal vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin or frothy and yellow-green in colour
• producing more discharge than normal, which may also have an unpleasant fishy smell
• soreness, inflammation (swelling) and itching around the vagina – sometimes the inner thighs also become itchy
• pain or discomfort when passing urine or having sex

 In men:

• pain during urination or ejaculation
• needing to urinate more frequently than usual
• thin white discharge from the penis
• soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis (balanitis) or foreskin (balano-posthitis)

Trichomoniasis can usually be diagnosed after an examination of the genitals and a laboratory test carried out on a swab taken from the vagina or penis.

If the test shows you have trichomoniasis, it’s important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also tested and treated.

Trichomoniasis is usually treated quickly and easily with antibiotics. You should avoid having sex while you’re being treated for trichomoniasis, as you may become reinfected.

If you were prescribed a single dose of antibiotics, you need to avoid having sex for seven days after taking the medication.

It’s very important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also tested and treated. If your sexual partner isn’t treated, this increases the risk of reinfection.