What is trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny organism (living cell) that lives inside the vagina and urethra (pee tube) in women, or in men.
It is passed on through unprotected sexual contact. You do not have to have sex with a lot of people to catch TV – it is easily passed on. Anyone who is sexually active can catch it.
You cannot catch TV from oral sex (giving head, a ‘blow job’, ‘going down’) or from kissing, hugging or sharing household objects such as towels, toilets or cups, etc.
What are the symptoms (signs) of trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
Over half of women with TV won’t know they have the infection. It is unusual for men to have any symptoms at all. If a person does have symptoms they usually show within about a month of contact with the infection.
Symptoms may include some of the following signs:
- A change in vaginal discharge: there may be more discharge than usual and it may smell unpleasant. Sometimes it is a greeny colour and may appear ‘frothy’
- Vaginal soreness and discomfort during
- Discomfort when passing urine in men and women
- A discharge from the tip of the penis – this may be cloudy white or a clear colour
All of the above symptoms can also be the sign of other common infections, so if you are sexually active and notice anything different from normal, it’s important to attend your local Devon Sexual Health clinic for advice.
Treatment for trichomonas vaginalis (TV)
TV is tested for by taking a sample from the vagina in women and performing a laboratory test. If the test shows TV is present, the infection is treated with a course of antibiotics. It is not normally possible to test men for TV; they usually get treated when a female partner is diagnosed with the infection.
Trichomonas is unlikely to get better on its own and is easily treated with an antibiotic tablet called Metronidazole. Sometimes this is taken as a large single dose, but more commonly you take the tablets twice a day for 5-7 days.
When you take metronidazole you will be advised to avoid alcohol for the days you are taking the medication, plus 48 hours after the last tablet is taken. This is because alcohol interacts with this antibiotic and will make you feel very unwell.
Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days of starting the medication, but it is important to take all of the medication you are given to ensure it is properly treated.
What should I do if I think I have trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
If you are sexually active and notice any genital symptoms it’s important to attend a Devon Sexual Health Clinic to have a chat and get tested. TV doesn’t always have symptoms, so if this is what you are particularly worried about, mention it when you come in. We deal with lots of people with lots of different symptoms everyday so it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
If you are a man and a female partner has recently told you that they have TV, it’s really important to tell us because it is not usually possible to test men for TV. In this situation, we would always give you treatment.
How can I avoid getting trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
Use a condom when having sex with new or unknown partners. Talk to partners about their sexual health and ask if they have been tested for STIs since their last sexual partner. If they haven’t been tested before, encourage them to attend a Devon Sexual Health clinic or use condoms until they have had tests to show they have no STIs.
Limiting the number of people you have sex with also reduces the chance that you will come into contact with TV, and all other STIs.
Carefully disinfect and clean any sex toys between uses.
Frequently asked questions about
Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)
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Have I got trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
If a sexual partner tells you that they have recently been treated for TV, it’s important to attend a clinic as soon as possible and let them know that you may have been in contact with TV infection. They will then know the right tests to do and will provide treatment, usually on the same day.
If you are sexually active and do not always use condoms with partners, it is possible to catch TV or any other STI. You do not have to sleep around or have sex with lots of people to catch an infection.
TV and many other STIs do not always have symptoms so If you have had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with a new partner it is important to come and visit us, even if you feel normal and don’t have any symptoms.
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Can trichomonas vaginalis (TV) heal itself?
TV may get better on its own but this usually takes a very long time. It’s always better to get antibiotic treatment as soon as possible.
If you think that you may have TV, it is important to avoid sexual contact completely because you could pass it on to another person, even if a condom is used.
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Can trichomonas vaginalis (TV) make me infertile?
Serious complications with TV are rare. It does not usually cause infertility.
Other more common STIs can cause problems with fertility, so if you have had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with a new partner it is important to attend a Devon Sexual Health clinic for STI testing, even if you feel normal and don’t have any symptoms.
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I’m pregnant, can I pass trichomonas vaginalis (TV) onto my unborn child?
If you are pregnant it is very important to carefully treat TV because it can cause problems. Women who have untreated TV during pregnancy are more likely to have a small baby with a low birth weight and are more likely to have a premature labour (where the baby is born early). It is possible to transmit the TV to the baby during birth, but this is not common.
It is important to tell the clinic that you are or think you may be pregnant, or breastfeeding a baby. They will choose a treatment that is safe for you to take.
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How soon after treatment can I start having sex again?
It is important to avoid sex completely (even with a condom) until 7 days after you and your partner have completed treatment. Sometimes a follow-up test is done to check the infection has cleared, this is especially important if you are pregnant. If you continue to have symptoms after treatment, you should avoid sex until all test results are known, in case there is another infection present which may need additional treatment.
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How do you get tested for trichomonas vaginalis (TV)?
TV is tested for by taking a specific sample from the vagina in women. This sample is then looked at by using a laboratory test. In most Devon Sexual Health clinics, results are available almost straight away. It is not usually possible to test for TV in men, but treatment is always given to men if they attend a Devon Sexual Health clinic and tell us a female partner has had TV.
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Can trichomoniasis kill you?
No, TV won’t kill you. Serious complications with TV are very rare.
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Is trichomoniasis chlamydia?
No, trichomonas is different to chlamydia, but it is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). TV is caused by a tiny organism (living cell) passed during vaginal sex without a condom. Chlamydia is a more common STI, caused by a bacterial infection.
Chlamydia and TV often have no symptoms. If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom), it is important to attend a Devon Sexual health clinic for testing.
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Can trichomoniasis be detected in a PAP smear?
Occasionally, although this is not an accurate test for TV. Anyone who has been told their smear test (PAP smear) shows TV should attend a Devon Sexual Health clinic for further testing and advice. Results are usually available straight away and antibiotic treatment will be given if required.
Smear tests do not show other common STI infections such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. If you are worried about these infections and have had unprotected sex, it’s important to attend a Devon Sexual Health clinic. Or you can ask your GP or Practice nurse to do these tests at the same time as having a smear test.
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Do my partner/partners need to be tested?
Yes. If you have been told you have TV infection, all recent sexual partners need to be informed so that they can get tested and treatment.
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Can I drink alcohol whilst taking Metronidazole?
No. It is important to avoid alcohol completely whilst taking metronidazole antibiotic treatment, plus 48 hours after taking the last tablet. Alcohol interacts with metronidazole and makes you feel very unwell.
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Can trichomoniasis be detected in a blood test?
No. TV is tested in women by taking a swab from the vagina. You cannot test for TV via a blood sample.
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Can trichomoniasis be contracted non-sexually?
Occasionally TV can be passed on via soiled Jacuzzis or spa baths, but if normal disinfectants and water decontaminants are used, this is very unlikely.
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Can you get trichomoniasis from a toilet seat?
It is not possible to catch TV by sharing toilets, towels, bedding or by using household objects such as cups, cutlery, etc. You cannot catch TV by kissing, hugging or holding hands.
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Can you get trichomoniasis in your mouth?
No. TV lives in the vagina and urethra (pee tube) in women and in the urethra (pee tube) in men. It does not live in the mouth or anus (bum).
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What colour discharge do you get with trichomoniasis?
The majority of people with TV will get no signs or symptoms of the infection. Sometimes more discharge may be noticed, and this change usually happens within about a month of coming into contact with TV infection. Discharge in women may be yellow or greenish colour and sometimes has an unpleasant smell.
Men frequently have no symptoms at all, but if a discharge is noticed from the tip of penis it may be a cloudy white colour, or possibly clear. Some men will describe a slight ‘tingle’ or burning feeling when they have a wee.
Lots of different infections can cause discharge in men and women. If you have had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with a new partner come and see us.