Trichomoniasis: What It Is, How to Spot It, and How to Beat It

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It’s one of the most common STDs, yet many people never hear about it. The good news is that it’s easy to treat once you know it’s there.

How to Spot Trichomoniasis

Symptoms differ for women and men, and some folks don’t get any at all. Women might notice a frothy, yellow‑green discharge that smells a bit fishy, itching, or a burning feeling when they pee. Men often feel a mild itching or irritation inside the penis and might see a thin, clear discharge. If you’ve had unprotected sex in the past few weeks and notice any of these signs, it’s worth getting checked.

The infection spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Using condoms every time you have sex cuts the risk dramatically, but condoms don’t cover all the skin, so they aren’t 100 % foolproof.

Treating & Preventing Trichomoniasis

The first step is a quick doctor visit. Your clinician will swab the area and run a lab test that’s done in minutes. If the test is positive, the usual prescription is a single dose of metronidazole or tinidazole. Both work well, and the cure rate is over 95 % when you take the whole pill.

It’s crucial that anyone you’ve had sex with in the last month also gets treated, even if they feel fine. Re‑infection is common if only one partner gets medication.

To keep trichomoniasis from coming back, stick to condoms, limit your number of sexual partners, and get regular STI screenings if you’re sexually active. Screening is especially important because the infection can stay hidden for months.

If you have recurring infections, ask your doctor about a longer course of medication or a different antibiotic. Sometimes other vaginal infections, like bacterial vaginosis, can make trichomoniasis harder to clear.

Bottom line: trichomoniasis is easy to treat but easy to miss. Stay aware of the signs, get tested promptly, finish your prescription, and make sure your partner does the same. With those steps, you’ll keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and STD‑free.