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Summary

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. It spreads from person to person during sex. Many people do not have any symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they usually happen within 5 to 28 days after being infected.

It can cause vaginitis in women. Symptoms include:

• Yellow-green or gray discharge from the vagina
• Discomfort during sex
• Vaginal odor
• Painful urination
• Itching burning, and soreness of the vagina and vulva

Most men do not have symptoms. If they do, they may have:

• Itching or irritation inside the penis
• Burning after urination or ejaculation
• Discharge from the penis

Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections. Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are more likely to give birth too early, and their babies are more likely have a low birth weight.

Lab tests can tell if you have the infection. Treatment is with antibiotics. If you are infected, you and your partner must be treated.

Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading trichomoniasis. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

• About Trichomoniasis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Trichomoniasis (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
• Trichomoniasis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Trichomoniasis Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Trichomonas Infections (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Cytokine concentration and T cell subsets in the female genital tract...
• Article: Association between Trichomonas vaginalis infection and spontaneous preterm labour in Lagos,...
• Article: The prevalence trends of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women in Jingzhou,...
• Trichomoniasis -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Teenagers

• Trichomoniasis (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Trichomoniasis (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation)

Patient Handouts

• Condom Use: An Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Trichomoniasis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish