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 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
• Sexual Health Victoria (SHV). 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 Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017.
• Victorian Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre's GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment
• Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840
• Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5338 4500
• Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5434 4300 Or (03) 5448 1600
• Gateway Health Clinic 35, Wodonga Tel. (02) 6022 8888 or 1800 657 573
• Sunraysia Community Health Services Tel. (03) 5022 5444
• Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5226 7489
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Tel: (03) 9419 3000
• Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs (throughout Victoria)
• 1800 MyOptions Tel:1800 696 784 is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options