​Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a protozoal infection of the genitals. Protozoal infections are caused by tiny parasites.

You can get trichomoniasis from having unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or close skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom or an oral dam. 

Some people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms — that’s why regular STI testing is so important!

Symptoms of trichomoniasis are: 

• Strong smelling frothy discharge from your vagina or penis 
• Itching and irritation around your vulva and vagina 
• Pain when you mimi 

The only way to find out for sure if you have trichomoniasis is to get an STI test.

If you have no symptoms of trichomoniasis:  

• You can do a self-taken swab, or provide a urine sample for testing  
• You won’t need to have an examination  

If you have symptoms of trichomoniasis, a nurse or doctor will:  

• Perform an external or internal examination to see if there are any visible signs of infection  
• Take a sample from the infected area using a swab    

Your test sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing. You should be contacted with your test result within a week.

Book an appointment with us — we can test for trichomoniasis. 

Trichomoniasis and fertility

There is some evidence that trichomoniasis can lead to infertility – meaning you can't get pregnant.

Trichomoniasis and pregnancy

Being infected with trichomoniasis can cause your water to break early, for you to give birth too soon, or for your baby to be born at a low weight. An antibiotic prescription can treat the infection and reduce these risks.

Trichomoniasis and pēpi

It's extremely rare for trichomoniasis to be transmitted to pēpi during delivery.

What can you do?

If you're worried you might have trichomoniasis, get an STI test and find out how trichomoniasis is treated.

Trichomoniasis is easy to treat with an antibiotic. One of our nurses or doctors can help with testing and antibiotic prescription. 

Condoms and oral dams can protect against trichomoniasis, and other STIs. Using lube with condoms can make sex more pleasurable for some people, and can prevent the condom from breaking by reducing friction.

Lots of STIs don’t have obvious symptoms — so it’s important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, or anytime you have sex with a new person.

If you’re having sex with several people — or the person you have sex with is having sex with several people — talk to us about how often you should be screened for trichomoniasis and other STIs. 

If you find out that you have trichomoniasis, there are a few important things that you need to do:

• Get treatment. Book an appointment with us — one of our nurses or doctors will help you
• It’s much better not to have sex until 7 days have passed since you finished your antibiotic treatment for trichomoniasis
• It’s a good idea to use condoms or oral dams if you do have sex