Trichomonas Test
What is Trichomonas Vaginalis?
Trichomonas Vaginalis is a protozoan, which is a small organism similar to a bacterium. The Trichomonas Vaginalis protozoan can infect the urethra and the vagina in women and the urethra and sometimes the prostate gland in men. Trichomonas Vaginalis is usually passed on through sexual contact.
What are the symptoms of Trichomonas Vaginalis?
Women
- A discharge from the vagina that is in yellow/green. Sometimes this discharge is frothy and has a strong fishy odour.
- Pain whilst having sexual intercourse.
- Pain in the groin area, though this is unusual.
- An itchy vulva and vagina.
Men
- It is common to have discharge from the urethra.
- Pain when passing urine.
- You may need to pass urine more frequently.
In about fifty per cent of cases in both men and women there will be no symptoms whatsoever. This does not mean however that you will not pass the infection on to somebody else.
Should I be worried about Trichomonas?
Trichomonas Vaginalis is not very common in the UK. There are, in fact, only about 6000 positive results in any one-year. It tends not to penetrate very far into the body, which means that it is less of a problem than other STIs. It can, however, if left untreated, lead to prostatitis in men and early labour in women. Having a Trichomonas Vaginalis infection can also make you more susceptible to HIV infection.
Can I get tested for Trichomonas?
At Home Diagnostics we offer a specific test for Trichomonas using highly accurate PCR technology.
If, however, you have symptoms, which suggest that you might have an STI infection, we suggest you have a full STI screen. If all other possible STIs have been tested for and dismissed then we are able to offer you a test for just Trichomonas.
Can Trichomonas be treated?
Trichomonas is easy to treat with an antibiotic called Metronidazole. It is usually taken as a week-long course.
We provide your treatment through a partner clinic and we strongly recommend that your sexual partners should also be treated to prevent reinfection.