Trichomoniasis Treatment

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite known as trichomonas vaginalis. Nearly half of all cases are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms), so it can be spread or caught without realising. When it does show symptoms, they can be similar to other STIs, making it difficult to identify without appropriate testing. These symptoms also differ between men and women.

When left untreated, trichomoniasis can lead to complications like:

• making you more likely to catch other STIs
• problems with pregnancy and childbirth
• triggering inflammation that makes it easier to catch and spread HIV

Fortunately, with the right treatment and intervention, trichomoniasis is entirely curable and manageable. If you think you’ve been exposed to trichomoniasis, it’s important to get tested and treated as quickly as possible to stop it from spreading and deal with the infection before any complications.

How does trichomoniasis spread?

Like other STIs, trichomoniasis tends to spread through unprotected sexual contact (not using a condom). It can also be spread through sharing sex toys without thoroughly cleaning them before use.

You cannot catch trichomoniasis through:

• oral or anal sex
• kissing
• hugging
• sharing cutlery and plates
• using the same toilet seat as someone who’s been infected

The best way to protect yourself from trichomoniasis is to make sure you use a condom and practice safe sex.

How common is trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is the world's most common non-viral STI. However, it is still significantly less prevalent than STIs like chlamydia, especially in the UK, where there are only an estimated 6,000 new cases reported each year. Chlamydia saw over 190,000 new cases in 2023 alone.

The main reason trichomoniasis is so common compared to other non-viral STIs is because it is often symptomless or confused for a different infection. While all genders can get trichomoniasis, it's more common in women, and older women are more likely to have the infection.

Is trichomoniasis an STI?

Yes, trichomoniasis is an STI, called a non-viral STI because it is caused by a parasite rather than a virus. So, while it is slightly different to other STIs, it’s still considered an STI as it is transmitted primarily through having sex.

Trichomoniasis is caused by trichomonas vaginalis, a tiny parasite that passes from person to person through unprotected sexual contact. It can infect your genitals or prostate. It’s carried in sexual fluids, including semen, pre cum, and vaginal fluids.

While it’s significantly less common, trichomoniasis can be spread through sharing damp towels that have been in contact with the infection or anything similar.

Trichomoniasis has no symptoms nearly 50% of the time, and when these do appear, they differ between genders and can be very similar to other STIs. This makes knowing the symptoms, knowing what to look out for, and getting appropriate testing important.

Common trichomoniasis symptoms in people assigned female at birth include:

• vaginal discharge, which can be thick, thin, frothy, or yellow-green
• more discharge than usual, which may also have a fishy smell
• soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina, including sometimes the inner thighs
• pain or discomfort when urinating or having sex

Common trichomoniasis symptoms in people assigned male at birth include:

• pain when urinating or during ejaculation
• urinating a lot more than usual
• thin, white discharge
• soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin

How do you know if you have trichomoniasis?

The only way to know for sure if you have trichomoniasis is with testing. This is because trichomoniasis can be symptomless or have symptoms very similar to other STIs, making it difficult to diagnose without testing first. If you think you’ve been exposed to trichomoniasis or you’ve been informed by someone else who has, you should get tested.

We provide home test kits that you can take wherever you’re comfortable, without the need to visit a clinic or speak to a GP face-to-face. These tests are also just as accurate as the tests carried out in sexual health clinics, so you can be certain you’re getting accurate results.

How long does trichomoniasis last?

Trichomoniasis is very unlikely to go away without getting the right treatment, which means it can last for years or never go away on its own.

With treatment, trichomoniasis usually clears up within 7 days, but you can be reinfected if exposed again. Getting a repeat test 3 months after treatment is recommended to make sure you don’t have a repeat infection and it’s completely cleared up.

Trichomoniasis is diagnosed with a test kit that either involves taking a swab of the area or if you have a penis, a urine sample can also be used for testing.

You can test for trichomoniasis at home with a home test kit, like the ones we provide, or at a sexual health clinic. Home testing is considered to be just as accurate as the testing you’d get at a clinic or GP surgery, and it’s entirely discreet.

You can test at home with ZAVA in a few simple steps:

1. Order your test kit online. We test for trichomoniasis infections in our extended STI test kit.
2. Collect your sample at home (full instructions are provided).
3. Send your sample to our partner lab.
4. Get results & advice from our doctors in 72 hours.

You will receive a full results report explaining what each result means, and instructions on what to do next. We can also provide treatment for trichomoniasis, and other STIs if your results show that you need it.

IMPORTANT: You can not be prescribed treatment for trichomoniasis until you’ve been tested for the infection and have a positive test result. This is because it’s the only way to make sure you have trichomoniasis and not another infection.

When should you get tested for trichomoniasis?

To get the most accurate results from a trichomoniasis test, you should test 1 to 4 weeks after you think you’ve been exposed to the infection.

You should get tested for trichomoniasis if you:

• think you have recently been exposed to the infection after having unprotected sex
• are informed by a recent sexual partner that they have the infection
• have symptoms of trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is usually treated with antibiotic tablets. The most common antibiotic used is metronidazole, which is available in 2 doses.

You can either take:

• 400mg tablets, twice a day for 7 days
• 2g (2000mg), taken altogether, as a single higher dose at once

While both ways of treating trichomoniasis work, the 400mg dose, taken twice a day over 7 days, is less likely to cause side effects.

How effective is trichomoniasis treatment?

Trichomoniasis treatment is considered extremely effective, with most cases completely resolved within 7 days.

How long does trichomoniasis treatment take to work?

Trichomoniasis treatment gets to work quickly, curing most infections within 7 days.

How to take trichomoniasis treatment

The leading trichomoniasis treatments are tablets that you take whole with a glass of water. You can either take a single larger dose or the normal doses over 7 days.

Can trichomoniasis go away on its own?

It’s extremely unlikely for trichomoniasis to go away without treatment. This means the infection can stay for years or even the rest of your life unless you get it treated.

What happens if I leave my trichomoniasis untreated?

When left untreated, trichomoniasis can lead to complications with childbirth and pregnancy. It can also make you more likely to catch other STIs and can trigger inflammation that can make you much more vulnerable to catching HIV.

Yes, if you have been diagnosed with the infection, you can order trichomoniasis treatment online from trusted providers like ZAVA. To get treatment from ZAVA, all you have to do is:

1. Get tested (if you haven’t already) – We can provide fast and discreet home testing.
2. Start a consultation for the treatment you need.
3. Complete a short medical questionnaire (this is to make sure treatment is safe and appropriate for you).
4. Doctors review your questionnaire.
5. Treatment is prescribed and delivered. You can also choose to collect your treatment from your nearest post office if that’s easier for you.

Can I get trichomoniasis treatment over the counter?

No, trichomoniasis treatment is prescription only. This means you can not buy it over the counter as you require a prescription from a doctor to get it. A doctor needs to make sure treatment for trichomoniasis is safe and suitable for you beforehand.

Can I get trichomoniasis treatment on the NHS?

You can get trichomoniasis treatment on the NHS, with a prescription from your doctor or an STI clinic.

The best way to prevent trichomoniasis is to practice safe sex. As trichomoniasis is mainly passed on through sexual contact, using a condom or any effective barrier method of contraception should prevent you from catching the infection. You should also make sure to clean any sex toys thoroughly if you’re sharing them.

Common side effects of metronidazole include:

• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• headaches or head pain
• loss of appetite
• stomach cramps
• constipation
• metallic taste or furry feeling on your tongue
• heartburn (indigestion)

These side effects are most likely and can usually be safely managed at home or with over-the-counter remedies. If you are struggling to deal with these or they get worse, you should speak to your doctor.

Serious side effects of metronidazole include:

• the whites of your eyes turning yellow, or your skin turning yellow
• unexpected infections, mouth ulcers, bruising, bleeding gums, or extreme tiredness
• bad stomach pains which may radiate to your back
• having blurred or double vision

While these side effects are very rare, if you notice these or anything similar, you should call 111 or your GP straight away.

In rare cases, metronidazole can cause a life-threatening condition called meningitis, or affect your brain. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should call 999 or go to the nearest A&E:

• sudden stiff neck
• sudden dislike of bright lights
• seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinating)
• feeling confused or having difficulty speaking
• fever

Trichomoniasis treatment is for anyone who has been diagnosed with the infection, provided it’s safe and suitable for them to take it.

Do not take trichomoniasis treatment and talk to your doctor before if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicine
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have liver problems
• are having dialysis
• won’t be able to stop drinking alcohol while using metronidazole

Alcohol can interact with metronidazole to cause severe side effects like:

• feeling sick
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• hot flushes
• pounding heartbeat
• headache

You should not take metronidazole if you are unable to stop drinking alcohol during your treatment course, and you should wait at least 2 days after your course is completed before consuming any alcohol.