Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexual health problem, mostly it occurs in women, however, it may affect men, too. In many cases, it is symptom-free; most patients with trichomoniasis do not experience any discomfort or unpleasant sensation. They do not even know that they are infected. Only about 30 percent of patients will never detect any symptoms; it depends on the person’s general health. Strong, healthy individuals are less likely to develop unpleasant symptoms.

A parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis, causes trichomoniasis. It is a very common sexually transmitted diseases. Only within the United States, about 3.7 million people live with trichomoniasis. It is more common in women than in men, and elderly women are more prone to have this condition than young women.

It spreads to uninfected persons during sexual activity. For women, the most vulnerable area is the lower genital parts like vulva, vagina and urethra. For men, the urethra is more prone to get infected.

Symptoms

It is not a serious condition, and it is easy to cure.

Symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the infected person. Some trichomoniasis patients develop symptoms within a few days to 28 days after the infection. Others develop symptoms later. 

Symptoms might be intermittent.

Women who live with trichomoniasis may notice a burning, unpleasant sensation at their genital areas. They may have difficulties with urination. They may have unusual vaginal discharge.

Men with trichomoniasis may experience itching, burning sensations within their genitals, or a burning feeling after they urinate. It may not cause sexual dysfunction but it will affect your sexual health. Discharge may be present, too. 

When you have this infection, you can find no sexual pleasure in your life, since the disease causes unpleasant, burning sensations. Seek treatment. Otherwise, your problem will return, it may last for many years. It may lead to complications, it causes inflammation within the genital area, which means you are more likely to get the HIV virus.

Having unprotected sex is an irresponsible thing to do. If you have trichomoniasis, probably you do not even know about your condition, yet you can infect your sex partner with the virus.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider should do laboratory tests to diagnose this condition.

Treatment of Trichomoniasis

Your doctor can cure trichomoniasis with one dose of prescription antibiotics like metronidazole or tinidazole. Do not consume alcohol for 24 hours when you take such antibiotics, because it may lead to unpleasant side effects.

Once you had this condition, you can get it again. You do not become protected by the antibiotics treatment for the rest of your life.