Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)
Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).
In women, this parasite mainly infects the vagina and urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body). In men, the infection most commonly affects the urethra, but the head of the penis or prostate gland (a gland near the bladder that helps produce semen) can become infected in some cases.
The parasite is usually spread by having unprotected sex (sex without a condom). It could also be spread by sharing sex toys if you don’t wash them or cover them with a new condom before use. You don’t have to have many sexual partners to catch trichomoniasis. Anyone who is sexually active can catch it and pass it on.
Trichomoniasis isn’t thought to be passed on through:
- oral or anal sex
- kissing or hugging
- sharing cups, plates or cutlery
- toilet seats
The best way to prevent trichomoniasis is to have safer sex. This means always using a condom when having sex, covering any sex toys you use with a condom, and washing sex toys after use.
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.
For more information on TV, please download this leaflet.
