Trichomonas Vaginalis

Trichomoniasis (commonly referred to as “trich”) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite, and can infect both women and men. In women, trich usually infects the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, cervix, urethra). In men, the urethra is commonly infected.

• Trich infection is more common in women than in men, and older women are more likely than younger women to get infected. Treating trich during pregnancy is very important, because if you have trich and are pregnant, your baby is more likely to be born early (premature) or at a low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds).

Trich Symptoms

Common trich symptoms in women include:

• Vaginal discharge that is thin, greenish-yellow, foamy or frothy
• Itching in the vagina, vulva or inner thighs
• Vaginal odor
• Painful or frequent urination, like with a urinary tract infection
• Discomfort during intercourse

Common trich symptoms in men include:

• Itching or discharge from the penis
• Burning after urination or ejaculation

If you or your partner has symptoms of trich, or if your partner has been diagnosed with trich, it is important to be tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

MicroGenDX Test Used in Diagnosing Trich

A trich test may be done in the clinic and sent off to a lab, or you can do an at-home test. A MicroGenDX test detects the DNA of the Trichomonas parasite in your sample, and if it has any drug-resistant genes that might make certain antibiotics ineffective. Your doctor should consult the "antimicrobials for consideration" chart on your MicroGenDX report to decide what antibiotic is right for you.

This test is included in the “Full STI Panel” test. “STI” stands for “sexually transmitted infection,” which is another name for STD. You can order the test and get sampling instructions here:

https://microgendx.com/product/full-sti-panel-dm-intl/

Providing a Sample for the Trich Test

You will need to provide a urine sample for this test. It’s very important to obtain a proper sample by following the instructions for collecting the sample, as well as when packaging and shipping it.

Everything you need to know about taking a sample is included with your test, and is also available online on the product page. The instructions contain illustrations that will help you collect a sample without contaminating it. For example, you will need to wash your hands thoroughly and clean your genital area with soap and water, and pay special attention to the sex-specific instructions so that bacteria on the skin aren’t included in your sample.

Medical Specialties Treating Trich

Trich can be treated by a primary care physician, urologist or OB/GYN.

How Trich is Treated

Trich is treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider may prescribe one large dose (megadose) that you take only one time, or several lower doses that your take twice a day to seven days. It is important to complete the full course of medication as it is prescribed, even when symptoms begin to clear up before you are treated.

Left untreated, trich can increase your risk of getting another STD, and of having a premature birth or low-weight baby if you are pregnant.