What is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is an STD that is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. This STD is not often tested for immediately at the GP or local GGD unless you are negative for other, more common, STDs. Its symptoms vary between individuals, but in most cases they are limited. However, while Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STD worldwide, it is not the most diagnosed due to the lack of symptoms and testing. Trichomoniasis often goes unnoticed, but reduces your immunity, making you more prone to contracting other, more serious STDs.

How do I get Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact and can cause an infection in a woman's genital tract (vulva, vagina, cervix, urethra) and a man's penis and urethra. Trichomoniasis can be transmitted through vaginal penetration, vagina on vagina, and fingering. There is an 80% chance of contracting Trichomoniasis when having unprotected sex with someone with the STD. Besides transmission through sex, it is possible to get infected by objects that have been contaminated by an infected person such as sex toys, a toilet seat, or a towel.

Do I have Trichomoniasis?

The majority of people who contract Trichomoniasis show no symptoms and may remain asymptomatic throughout the entire infection. Generally, women experience symptoms more often than men, and about 20% to 50% of infected women develop symptoms at some point during the infection. But even if they do, these symptoms can arise years after being infected. As symptoms are mild and often limited, individuals are often not tested for Trichomoniasis. However, even without symptoms you can still be infected and transmit it to your sexual partner(s). Below are gender-specific symptoms for Trichomoniasis.

Symptoms in men include:

• Abnormal discharge from the penis
• Inflammation of the glans and/or skin of the penis
• Pain / burning sensation while urinating

Symptoms in women include:

• Red, inflamed, and/or painful vagina
• Itching of the vagina
• Change in vaginal odor (often described as fishy smell)
• Yellow-green vaginal fluid (possibly foamy)
• Pain / burning sensation while urinating

Do you recognize one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms? Fill out the test questionnaire to receive personalized recommendations on whether you should get tested for Trichomoniasis and other STDs.

What are the risks?

Over het algemeen zijn de langetermijngevolgen van een Trichomonas-infectie niet extreem gevaarlijk. Vooral bij vrouwen kan het voor ongemakken zorgen, maar dat is vooral als zij symptomen ervaren.

When should I get tested?

Trichomonas heeft een incubatietijd van 4-28 dagen. Dat wil zeggen vóór die tijd de bacterie potentieel nog niet aantoonbaar bij u is. Indien u symptomen ervaart raden wij aan in ieder geval 4 dagen te wachten voordat u zich test. Indien u geen symptomen ervaart raden wij u aan langer te wachten, minimaal 21 dagen. Wanneer u zich te vroeg laat testen is het mogelijk dat de uitslag aangeeft dat u niet besmet bent terwijl u dat eigenlijk wel bent. Als u geen klachten heeft is het belangrijk, dat u de hierboven aangeraden incubatieperiode afwacht voordat u een test afneemt.

Treatment

Trichomoniasis can easily be treated using antibiotics, which can be taken orally. At How Are You Diagnostics we provide you with an certificate with the test result, which can be downloaded from our result portal. In case you test positive for Trichomoniasis you can download the certificate to show to your GP. This prevents getting retested at the GP.