Trichomoniasis:
Basic Facts you Need to Know.

It’s STI o’clock! 

With the increased rate of sexual activities and orgies, we cannot avoid the conversation about STIs. There are various FAQs surrounding sexually transmitted diseases and infections, but we’ll narrow it down to a few queries concerning Trichomoniasis.

By the end of this read, these questions will be eliminated, and you’ll be informed about all you need to know concerning Trichomoniasis.

What is Trichomoniasis?  

Also known as Trich, Trichomoniasis is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that is common, curable, and caused by a protozoan known as Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). 

Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent STI, with an estimated yearly incidence of 276.4 million cases worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are about 30 million yearly cases because Africans or persons of African descent have an increased chance of having this condition, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Modes of Transfer

Humans are the only hosts of Trichomonas vaginalis, so it can only be transferred from one human to another directly or indirectly.  

• Through sexual intercourse – vaginal-penile or vaginal-vaginal intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex.
• Genital touching – Unlike other STIs, the male does not have to ejaculate to propagate this illness as the parasite is passed between the vagina and the penis.
• Through fluids – TV may transfer from one partner to the other by fluids such as vaginal lubrication, semen, menstrual blood, or discharge. 
• Mutual masturbation
• Sharing sex toys
• Nonsexually, the transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis can occur through fomites such as towels, toilet seats, contaminated swimwears, as well as through swimming pool water and in public laundries. Research conducted in Zambia showed that teenage virgin females had a high prevalence of trichomoniasis, which was traced back to sharing bathing water.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Tricky Trich sometimes assumes an asymptomatic mode. Most carriers have no indications or symptoms (approximately 7 out of 10 people). And when there are symptoms, it occurs within 5 to 28 days of being infected.

Trich in Women

Trichomoniasis occurs mainly in women and they are more vulnerable to Trich, especially after completing their menstrual cycle. The parasite resides in the vulva, vagina, cervix, and urethra. 

Symptoms

• pain during urination

• frequent need to pee

• genital irritation

• vaginal bleeding

• yellow, green, gray, frothy, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge

• itching and inflammation in and around the vagina

• lower abdominal discomfort (rare)

• increased vaginal pH in most females

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Trichomoniasis is based on identifying the parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis) through a microscopic examination of urethral or vaginal discharge. It can be diagnosed using the following tests:  

• Swab test: Vaginal swab is cultured to identify the parasite.
• Antigen test: This is a rapid test in which an antibody reacts with an antigen forming a color that indicates the person is positive.
• DNA test: Here, nucleic acid from the vaginal swab undergoes a Polymerase Chain Reaction to detect nucleic acid.
• Wet prep: Vaginal fluid is examined under the microscope.

Trich can also be diagnosed through a physical examination. In women, this examination includes a pelvic exam. 

Trich in Men

With a name like Trichomonas Vaginalis, you would hardly put men in the picture. Surprisingly, not only can men get trichomoniasis, but it can lead to severe complications when left untreated. In men, the parasite inhabits the urethra.

Symptoms

• Swelling, redness, and soreness around the head of the foreskin – Balanoposthitis
• Swelling, redness, and soreness around the penis – Balanitis
• a burning feeling, especially while passing urine
• thin, white discharge from the penis
• the urge to urinate more often than usual

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Trich in males is similar to that in females. It can be diagnosed using various techniques, including:

• Saline microscopy
• Microbial culture
• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs)
• Urine test

Most times, the doctor will also perform a physical exam and take a swab from the urethra. 

It is also possible to do a test for trichomoniasis at home. 

However, while Trich can be easily diagnosed, it’s also easy to get it wrong. This is because a culture requires an amount of living protozoa for a test to be positive, so the test may come out negative even if you have the parasite. 

Therefore, it is essential to do repeat tests, and seek medical help if your partner tests positive for Trich.

Treatment

Trich may be tricky, but it is one of the easiest STIs to cure. Good news right?

The most common way to kill trich is through oral antibiotics. The drugs prescribed are usually metronidazole (Flagyl®) or tinidazole (Tindamax®). 

While undergoing treatment, it is essential to keep the following points in mind:

• A single dose of the medication cures about 95% of women infected. However, there is still a need to take the medications for 5-7 days or there might be a recurrence. 
• While undergoing treatment, your partner must be treated too to avoid passing the infection back and forth. 
• After completing your medication, avoid having sex for a week – I know you can do that. This will enable the drug to kill off the infection and give time for the symptoms to clear. And if you’re not convinced yet, you should know that having sex will only make you vulnerable to reinfection.
• Lastly, before you get so sure, as this is a tricky infection, visit your doctor to confirm you are free from it. 

NOTE: The medications must be prescribed by a health professional and not bought over the counter.

Prevention

The best ways to prevent Trich are as simple as ABC.

• A – Abstain: Staying away from sex reduces your chances of getting the infection to the barest minimum.

“Wetin you no see no go see you.”

• B – Be faithful to your partner: There’s a need to be heavy on this. If partners are faithful to each other, no one would have to get infected by someone else.
• C – Always wear a condom: TV will only work when it has access to the urethra – which can only happen during intercourse. Wearing a condom will prevent the parasite from making contact with your insides. (Remember in males, TV inhabits the urethra).

Since Trich can also be transferred non-sexually, it is necessary to be careful and avoid contact with infected persons to protect yourself from being ‘Trich-ed”.

Other Facts About Trich

• Trich affects pregnant women and may cause complications like premature birth. The baby may also get infected and have a low birth weight.
• Trichomoniasis 
• Having trichomoniasis irritates the genital area, making the infected person susceptible to other STIs and even HIV.
• Trichomoniasis increases the risk of cervical or prostate cancer.
• Trich doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Rather when left untreated, it could last for months and even years.
• Trich is the only STI caused by a protozoan. Others are viral or bacterial infections.

Bottom Line

If you notice weird occurrences in your private part, seek medical attention immediately. It may just be trich and not your ‘village people’ playing tricks 

Finally, do regular tests to ensure you’re free from infections, as Trichomoniasis may be asymptomatic in some cases.