Trichomoniasis Symptoms: An Introduction
Many women do not have any
trichomoniasis symptoms, but are still infected with the parasite that causes trichomoniasis. If women do have symptoms, they usually appear 5 to 28 days after exposure to the parasite. Possible symptoms can include:
- Yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong odor
- Discomfort during sex and when urinating
- Irritation and itching in the genital area
- Lower abdominal pain (in rare cases).
Most men with the disease usually do not have any trichomoniasis symptoms. If symptoms are present, they might include:
- Temporarily irritation inside the penis
- Mild discharge
- Slight burning after urination or ejaculation.
If you have any of these trichomoniasis symptoms, stop having sex and contact your doctor right away.
Diagnosing Trichomoniasis
To determine if you have trichomoniasis, your doctor or nurse will do a pelvic exam and lab test. During the pelvic exam, your doctor may be able to see small red sores inside the vagina or on the cervix. Your doctor will also take a fluid sample from the vagina and look for the parasite under a microscope. The sample might also be sent to a lab for analysis. Other tests, like a vaginal culture or DNA test, can also be used for diagnosing trichomoniasis.
Complications Associated With Trichomoniasis Symptoms
The genital inflammation trichomoniasis causes can increase a woman's susceptibility to
HIV infection if she is exposed to the virus. Having trichomoniasis may also increase the risk that an HIV-infected woman will pass the virus to her sex partner(s).
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