Trichomoniasis - often referred to as Trich - is a common sexually transmitted disease that is curable. In fact, it's the most common curable STD in young sexually active women, and one of the three most common vaginal infections in women (next to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis). An estimated 7.4 million new cases of trichomoniasis occur every year in women and men.

The first step to protecting yourself against contracting Trichomoniasis is understanding what it is, how you get it, and how to prevent it, as well as knowing its symptoms. The infection is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite trichomonas vaginalis, which most typically thrives in the vagina in women and the urethra in men. Therefore, the infection is typically located in the vagina in women and in the urethra in men. It is typically transmitted sexually through genital secretions and can be passed from one person to another through unprotected penis-vagina or vulva-vulva intercourse with infected partner(s).

Most men with trichomoniasis do not have symptoms. Some men, however, can experience irritation inside the penis, mild discharge or burning after urination or ejaculation. It is important that men get tested right away if any symptoms do occur, because the symptoms can disappear after a short period of time even if the infection is still present, and it can still be passed - infecting and possibly re-infecting sex partner(s). As always, if you are experiencing any kind of questionable symptoms like those listed, notify your health care provider immediately and get tested or visit a local STD clinic.

Women experience signs and symptoms of infection more often than men, and they usually appear within a week to a month of being infected. Symptoms in women are often characterized as including a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge accompanied by a very strong, often fishy, odor. The infection may cause discomfort and irritation during any kind of vaginal sex (oral, manual, penis-vagina, toys) and during urination, and may cause itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva. As is the case with all STDs, the irritation caused by trich can make infected, untreated women more susceptible to contracting HIV if they are exposed to the virus. Similarly, HIV-positive women who also have an untreated case of trich (or any STD) are more infectious and are 3-8 times more likely to pass HIV to her sex partner(s).

Fortunately, trichomoniasis is relatively easy to diagnose, treat and cure. A physical exam by a health care provider and a simple lab test can determine infection, and it is usually easily cured with prescription drugs like metronidazole or tinidazole which are both taken by mouth in a single dose. It's important to remember that if trich is left undiagnosed and untreated, even if symptoms never occur, it can be passed again and again to sex partner(s), even if they have also been diagnosed and treated. A person diagnosed with trichomoniasis (or any STD) should abstain from sex and notify all recent sex partners so they can consult their physicians and be tested and treated if necessary. Because trich and other STDs are quite often asymptomatic, routine STD screening is an important part of preventive health care.

Trichomoniasis can be prevented by:

 - abstaining from sex with partners who may have the infection or who are currently being treated for a known infection
 - using condoms (and other latex barriers such as latex or nitrile gloves, dental dams, finger cots or saran wrap) during oral, vaginal and anal sex
 - changing the condom, gloves, dental dams, finger cots, etc. between partners
 - keeping your partner(s) genital fluids out of/off of your genitals, and
 - washing sex toys properly and thoroughly between each use (and when switching from one partner to       another).

If left undiagnosed and untreated, trichomoniasis can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and infertility in women and other urethral infections and infertility in men.

Taking an active initiative in our own health care as individuals and as a community includes making responsible decisions around sex and getting tested. We can protect ourselves and one another, while we create happier, healthier communities as a whole.