Trichomonal Vaginitis

Genital infections with Trichomonas (trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection of the vagina or urethra that is caused by the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis and that causes vaginal irritation and discharge and sometimes... read more ) are almost always sexually transmitted. Women can be infected through sexual contact with men or women. But men can be infected through sexual contact only with women, not with men. Many people who have this infection also have gonorrhea Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which infect the lining of the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat, or the membranes that cover... read more or another sexually transmitted infection.

Because the protozoa can remain in women for a long time without causing symptoms, determining when the infection was acquired and thus from whom can be difficult or impossible.

Trichomoniasis may occur in children. If it does, the cause may be sexual abuse Sexual abuse Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (for example, clergy, coach, or teacher)... read more .

Women with trichomonal vaginitis may have a green or yellow vaginal discharge that is sometimes frothy, profuse, or both. It may smell fishy. The genital area may itch, and the vagina may be red and tender (irritated). As a result, sexual intercourse may be painful. Urination may also be painful if the bladder becomes infected.

The infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper female reproductive organs (the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries). Pelvic inflammatory disease is often caused by a sexually... read more and, in pregnant women, preterm labor Preterm Labor Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered preterm. Babies born prematurely can have serious health problems. The diagnosis of preterm labor is usually obvious. Measures such... read more and delivery.

If girls or women have a vaginal discharge that is unusual or that lasts for more than a few days or have other vaginal symptoms, they should see a doctor.

Doctors suspect trichomonal vaginitis based on symptoms, such as a green or yellow frothy discharge. They then ask questions about the discharge, other symptoms, and possible causes (such as sexually transmitted infections).

To confirm the diagnosis, doctors do a pelvic examination Gynecologic Examination For gynecologic care, a woman should choose a health care practitioner with whom she can comfortably discuss sensitive topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to... read more . While examining the vagina, the doctor takes a sample of the discharge with a cotton-tipped swab. The sample is examined under a microscope. With information from this examination, the doctor can often identify the cause of the symptoms.

Usually, the doctor also uses a swab to take a sample of fluid from the cervix to test for other sexually transmitted infections.

If children have trichomonal vaginitis, doctors evaluate them to determine whether sexual abuse could be the cause.

Women with trichomonal vaginitis should be treated with metronidazole given by mouth. Sex partners should be treated at the same time. An alternative treatment is tinidazole taken by mouth.

During sexual intercourse, condoms should be used until the infection resolves to help prevent transmission of the infection.

Always using a condom Condoms Barrier contraceptives physically block the sperm’s access to a woman’s uterus. They include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, contraceptive gels, contraceptive sponges, and spermicides (foams... read more correctly during oral, anal, and genital sex can help prevent this infection from being transmitted. However, Trichomonas vaginalis protozoa can infect areas that are not covered by a condom. So condoms do not fully protect people from being infected.

The following general measures can also help prevent trichomonal vaginitis: