Trichomoniasis

This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about trichomoniasis.

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Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. Trichomoniasis can affect both men and women, but is more common in women.

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The basics

How can a person get trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis spreads when someone has penis-to-vagina or vagina-to-vagina contact with an infected person(s). Women can get the disease from infected men and women, but men usually contract it only from infected women.

Who can get trichomoniasis?

Sexually active men and women can get trichomoniasis, but women contract the disease more often than men.

Can trichomoniasis affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Yes, pregnant women with trichomoniasis may have babies who are born early or with low birth weight.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?

Most people do not have symptoms. Symptoms in women can start 5 days after initial infection, but can take as long as 28 days to appear. Most men do not have symptoms.

For those who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:

For Women:

Unusual or increased discharge (yellow-green) from her vagina with a strong smell
Pain or discomfort when she pees or during sex
Irritation or itching from her vagina
In more serious infections, pain in the lower stomach or back

For Men:

Mild discharge coming from the penis
Irritation inside the penis
Mild burning after he pees or ejaculates (releases semen)

How serious is trichomoniasis?

The symptoms caused by trichomoniasis can increase a woman’s chances of getting other STI’s such as HIV and Chlamydia. To reduce this risk, get tested and use the prevention methods listed below.

How long can an infected person spread trichomoniasis?

A person can spread trichomoniasis to others from the time they become infected until they are treated. A person can spread trichomoniasis to others even if they do not have symptoms. If you are taking medicine, do not have sex until you finish with your treatment and no longer have symptoms.

Testing & prevention

Where can I get tested?

Most health care providers offer testing for trichomoniasis and other STIs. If you need a health care provider, call the Mayor’s Health Line (MHL) at 617-534-5050 and toll-free 1-800-847-0710 or click here.

How often should I get tested for an STI?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for:

All sexually active women under 25 and
People at high risk, including:
- Those who have had unprotected sex
- Sex with multiple partners, or with a new partner
All pregnant women

3 months after treatment for an STI

Every time you have a new partner if you are unsure of the partner’s status

How can you protect yourself from getting trichomoniasis?

The only 100% effective way to prevent trichomoniasis is to not have sex.

If you do have sex, you can limit your risk by taking the following steps:

Always use a latex or polyurethane condom or barrier (dental dam) when having anal, vaginal and/or oral sex
- Condoms made from "natural" materials may protect against pregnancy but NOT STIs
Reduce your number of partners if you choose to have sex
Talk with your partner about their STI status and getting tested
Talk with your health care provider about safer sexual practices and getting tested
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex

Treatment

Can you treat trichomoniasis?

Yes, you can treat trichomoniasis with medicine. See your healthcare provider again if you still have symptoms after you have taken your medicine.

Should my partner get treated?

Recent or regular sex partners should also seek treatment for trichomoniasis before having sex again. It is best to get treatment at the same time. It is important to know that you can get infected with trichomoniasis many times.