1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Menopause Quiz
3. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow Pictures

In this Article

• Trichomoniasis facts*
• What is trichomoniasis and how do you get it?
• What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
• Is there a test for trichomoniasis?
• How is trichomoniasis treated?
• What happens if I don't get treated?
• Should I tell my partner if I have trichomoniasis?
• Does trichomoniasis cause problems during pregnancy?
• How is trichomoniasis prevented?
• Patient Comments: Trichomoniasis - Symptoms
• Trichomoniasis Index

Some women have no symptoms. Symptoms usually appear 5 to 28 days after exposure and can include:

• Yellow-green (sometimes frothy) vaginal discharge with a foul odor
• Discomfort during sex and when passing urine
• Irritation and itching in the genital area
• Lower abdominal pain in rare cases

If you have any symptoms, stop having sex and contact your doctor right away.

To tell if you have trichomoniasis, your doctor will do a pelvic exam and lab test. During the pelvic exam, your doctor may be able to see small red sores inside the vagina or on the cervix. Your doctor will also take a fluid sample from the vagina to look for the parasite under a microscope or to send to a lab. Other tests, like a vaginal culture or DNA test can also be used for testing.

If you have trichomoniasis, ask your doctor if you should be tested for other STIs too.

Trichomoniasis usually can be cured with these antibiotics:

Metronidazole (me-truh-NYD-uh-zohl), or Tinidazole (teye-NID-uh-zohl)

These drugs usually are given by mouth in a single dose. If you are allergic to the medicines normally used, your doctor might suggest topical medicines, which are medicines applied to the skin. But the topical medicines don't work as well and may not cure you. They might, however, ease the symptoms.

People being treated for trichomoniasis should not have sex until they and their sex partners complete treatment and have no symptoms.