Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both women and men, and causes symptoms such as genital discharge, itching and burning sensation and urinary urgency.
This disease is caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis and its diagnosis can be made through a physical examination and laboratory tests. This is a disease that can be cured, and its treatment can be done using antibiotic remedies like Metronidazole or Tinidazole.
Main Symptoms
Some of the main symptoms of Trichomoniasis in women include:
- White, gray, yellow or green vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor; Small vaginal bleeding; Genital redness and urinary urgency, vaginal itching and burning sensation; Pain when urinating.
In addition, trichomoniasis can also cause pain during intimate contact, which tends to be quite uncomfortable. See how to relieve some symptoms in How to relieve symptoms and cure trichomoniasis.
In men, a lesser variety of symptoms is generally observed, which include:
- Discharge with unpleasant smell; Urinary urgency; Itching and burning sensation when urinating and during ejaculation.
The symptoms experienced may vary from person to person, and it is common to have no symptoms. In addition, after contagion, the disease can take 5 to 28 days to manifest the first symptoms.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of Trichomoniasis must be made by the gynecologist or urologist, through a physical examination, which must be complemented with laboratory tests that allow the identification of Trichomonas vaginalis . For this, during the physical examination the doctor will collect samples, as a sample of the discharge for example, which are then analyzed in the laboratory.
The symptoms of Trichomoniasis can easily be confused with the symptoms caused by other sexually transmitted diseases, and therefore the medical examination always needs to be complemented with laboratory tests.
How is the treatment
The treatment of this disease can be done using antibiotics such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, which allow the elimination of the microorganism from the body, curing the disease.
As this is a sexually transmitted disease, it is recommended to avoid sexual contact throughout the treatment and up to a week after it ends. In addition, it is also recommended that all sexual partners consult a doctor, since even if they have no symptoms, there is a possibility that they have contracted the disease. Learn more about the treatment of trichomoniasis.
