Trichomonas
Trichomonas
Trichomonas (or trichomoniasis) and its causes
Trichomonas (also known as trichomoniasis or ’trich’) is caused by the organism
Trichomonas vaginalis
.
It is a
sexually transmissible infection (STI)
that is spread through sexual contact with a person who has the infection.
Trichomonas during
pregnancy
may lead to low birth weight babies and
premature birth
.
Trichomonas symptoms
Trichomonas is detected more often in people with vaginas than those who have a penis.
Many people don’t have any symptoms of infection. When symptoms are present, they may include:
a yellowy green, ‘frothy’ discharge
an unpleasant odour
vaginal or vulval itching and burning.
People with a penis usually don’t develop symptoms, but they may be carriers of the infection. Some may experience discharge from the penis and burning during urination.
Diagnosing trichomonas
If you have a vagina, a vaginal examination and swab is required.
If you have a penis, a swab is taken if discharge is present. Otherwise, a urine sample can be collected and tested.
Trichomonas treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat trichomonas.
Standard treatment for trichomonas is:
metronidazole (Flagyl) – a single dose, 400 mg oral tablet twice daily for 7 days, taken with food (for people with a vagina)
metronidazole – 2 g tablet single dose (for people with a penis).
Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after taking metronidazole.
Possible side effects of trichomonas treatment
This medication may cause:
nausea or an upset stomach
a metallic taste in your mouth, which will disappear soon after the treatment is completed.
Preventing trichomonas reinfection
If you have trichomonas, all your sexual partners need to be treated – even if you have no symptoms.
Avoid sexual contact until one week after treatment starts and any symptoms have resolved. (Remember, if your partner starts treatment after you, don’t have sex until a week after the date they started.)
After completing treatment, the best way to protect yourself and partners from trichomonas, is to use
condoms (internal
or
external)
during sex.
Managing recurrent trichomonas
Occasionally, trichomonas may recur after the initial infection has been treated.
If this happens, see your GP, who may prescribe a longer course of treatment.
Letting partners know you have trichomonas
When you’ve been diagnosed with an STI like trichomonas, all of your sexual partners (regular and casual) from the last few months needs to be informed, tested and treated.
If they don’t know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated. They may also experience serious problems later on.
Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community.
Your local GP and sexual health centre can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called ‘partner notification’. It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected.
If you have difficulty telling your partners, you can use
Let Them
Know
External Link
for sample conversations, emails, text messages and letters you can send to your partners either personally or anonymously.
There are also nurses (called partner notification officers) who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on
(03) 9096 3367
.
Where to get help
Your
GP
(doctor)
Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator (Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site)
Your
pharmacist
External Link
Sexual Health Victoria
(SHV)
External Link
. To book an appointment call SHV Melbourne CBD Clinic:
(03) 9660 4700
or call SHV Box Hill Clinic:
(03) 9257 0100
or (free call):
1800 013 952
. These services are youth friendly
Melbourne Sexual Health
Centre
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9341 6200
or
1800 032 017
.
Victorian Sexual Health Network – where to get
tested
External Link
– visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment
Thorne Harbour
Health
External Link
(formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel.
(03) 9865 6700
or
1800 134 840
Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5338 4500
Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5434 4300
Or
(03) 5448 1600
Gateway Health Clinic
35
External Link
, Wodonga Tel.
(02) 6022 8888
or
1800 657 573
Sunraysia Community Health
Services
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5022 5444
Barwon Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5226 7489
Victorian Aboriginal Health
Service
External Link
Tel:
(03) 9419 3000
Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs
(throughout Victoria)
1800
MyOptions
External Link
Tel:
1800 696 784
is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options