The Scourge Of Active Couples - Trichomonas

Everyone knows Trichomonas vaginalis, or “Trich”. It’s the scourge of young lovers and married couples around the world. Technically, it’s a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). It results in an unpleasant vulvo-vaginitis (inflamed vagina and vulva)

Most people don’t know it’s a parasite, not a bacterium. Trich is a single-celled organism, pear-shaped or shield-shaped and with a tiny whip (flagellum) that is uses to move itself around.

In the USA, the CDC estimates that there are more than 7 million new cases each year. Other developed nations have a similar high incidence and that’s only what’s reported. Probably many more cases never even get to the doctor, never mind reported to the CDC or other bodies.

Symptoms Of Trichomonas In women:

1. A vaginal discharge, yellow/green in colour, which may smell unpleasant and look frothy.
2. Soreness, itching and inflammation in and around the vagina.
3. Frequent need to urinate and/or pain on urinating.
4. Pain when having sex.

In men:
Men are mostly symptom-free carriers. Symptoms may occur:

1. Penile discharge.
2. Discomfort in the penis
3. Pain on urination/ejaculation

It is diagnosed with a swab viewed under the microscope or by culturing the organism if it is not seen right away.

Treatment usually with metronidazole (Flagyl etc.) and doctors in STDs clinics have the deplorable habit if giving just a single dose. That’s how resistant organisms come about. Take a proper course and demand at least a 5-day treatment from your doctor.

Topicals (creams and pessaries) unfortunately do not work because the parasites hides out in the urethra and secretory gland crypts.

It is important that both sexual partners be treated for trichomoniasis at the same and temporary abstinence from unprotected sex until symptoms are gone, or else the partners simply pass the disease back and forth (so-called “ping-pong infection”).

Prevention is difficult. The only sure preventative is abstinence and that is not acceptable to sexually active couples. Fidelity within a relationship is the next best insurance but it is not foolproof: this parasite can be picked up from handling clothes, towels etc. used by an infected person.

I’ve gotta say this! Women who have sex with women should consider using a barrier during vulva-to-vulva contact, and should also know that the parasite can be transmitted by both fingers and sex toys. Appropriate use of condoms and gloves can make transmission between women less likely.

Trichomonas does not usually have serious consequences. However it can be a disaster in immune-compromised patients, such as AIDS victims. Trichomonas can also negatively affect the outcome of a pregnancy (premature or low birth-weight).

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