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About Trichomoniasis

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What is trichomoniasis (TV)?

laboratory staff testing STI samples
  • Trichomoniasis (also called trich, Trichomonas vaginalis or TV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  • It’s caused by a protozoan (a type of tiny germ) called Trichomonas vaginalis.
  • TV is more commonly found in women, but men can get TV too.
  • Up to half of people with trich won’t have any symptoms.
  • TV can cause symptoms like discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain when weeing.
  • TV is easy to cure with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms

Up to half of people with trich won’t get noticeable signs or symptoms.

If you have trich, you can pass it on to a sexual partner even if you have no symptoms.

If you do get symptoms, they often start around a month after you first get trich but may not show up until much later.

Sometimes symptoms, come and go, but this does not mean the trich has gone.

Trichomoniasis in women

Women may notice:

  • More vaginal discharge than usual, or a discharge that’s unusual for you. Discharge may be yellow or frothy with a unpleasant smell. It may be thin or thick.
  • Itching, soreness or irritation in or around the vagina.
  • Pain or a burning feeling when weeing.
  • Occasionally, pain or discomfort low in the tummy.
  • Bleeding in between periods or after sex.

Trichomoniasis in men

Men may notice:

  • Discharge from the penis tip. Discharge may be whitish and thin.
  • Pain or burning when weeing.
  • Needing to wee more than usual.
  • A sore or swollen penis tip or foreskin.

Trichomoniasis Testing

If you don’t have any symptoms, you don’t usually need a TV test.

Depending on where you live, SH.UK may offer you a TV test as part of your STI self-sampling test kit if:

  • You're female and have symptoms that could be caused by TV.
  • A sexual partner has TV or has recently been treated for TV.

If we don't offer you a TV test but you think you may need one, go to a sexual health clinic. They can discuss which tests are right for you.

TV tests for women

The recommended tests are very accurate at detecting TV.

  • If you test with SH.UK, we’ll ask you to swab your vagina.
  • At a clinic, a healthcare professional will usually look at your vagina and take a swab from inside it. You may be asked to swab your vagina yourself or to give a wee sample.

TV tests for men

  • If you test with SH.UK, we’ll ask you to give a wee sample.
  • At a clinic, a healthcare professional will usually look at your penis and take a swab from the tip of the penis. You may be asked to swab your penis yourself or to give a wee sample.

You’ll usually only be offered a TV test at a clinic if a sexual partner has TV or you’ve tested negative for other infections but still have symptoms.

In about 2 out of 10 cases, a test for men may be negative even though you do have TV.

If you were tested because a sexual partner has TV, you’ll usually be offered treatment even if you test negative.

Test for other sexual health related conditions at home with SH.UK's self-sample test kit

STI test kit

Get a free self-sample test kit delivered to your door. Take a self sample and return via freepost. Access your results online within a week. Check to see if SH.UK offers NHS funded home test kits in your area.


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Trichomoniasis Treatment

TV is usually easy to cure with antibiotics.

If you test positive for TV through SH.UK, we’ll either:

  • Offer you free treatment and support.
  • Help you get free treatment from a sexual health clinic.

You’ll usually get an antibiotic called metronidazole to take twice a day for 7 days. Avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole, and for 48 hours after finishing treatment.

Any current and recent sexual partners should be offered treatment too, even if they test negative for TV.

Do not have sex with anyone until:

  • At least 1 week after starting the treatment

    • and

  • you and any current partners have finished all the treatment

    • and

  • finished any repeat treatment needed

    • and

  • any symptoms have gone.

This helps you avoid passing on TV to a partner or being reinfected.

If you have TV, testing for other STIs is advised if you haven’t already done so.

How long does TV last for?

For most people, symptoms improve a few days after starting treatment and the TV will be cured 1 week after finishing all the treatment.

It’s important to finish the whole course of treatment even if symptoms go away earlier.

If you take all the treatment as advised, you don’t usually need a test to check the TV is cured.

Sometimes the first antibiotics don’t cure the TV and you need to have repeat treatment.

Go back to your sexual health clinic if:

  • You’re sick after taking any of the antibiotics.
  • Symptoms don’t go away.
  • Symptoms go and then come back.

Can TV go away on its own?

TV is unlikely to go away on its own. Without treatment it can last for a long time, and you can pass it on to sexual partners.

Do I have to tell anyone if I have TV?

If you have TV, it’s important that any sexual partners from the last 4 weeks get tested for TV and other STIs.

Partners will be offered treatment for TV even if they test negative for it.

Telling your partners is called partner notification. If you feel like you can’t tell them yourself, the sexual health clinic can contact them for you. They won’t mention your name.

If you tested with SH.UK one of our Health Advisers can help with partner notification.

Is TV serious?

TV rarely causes any serious problems.

Having untreated TV can increase your chance of getting or passing on HIV.

If you’re pregnant, untreated TV an increase the chance of problems like an early (premature) birth or the baby having a low birth weight. A healthcare professional can discuss treatment options with you.

Rarely, in people with a penis, untreated TV may spread to the prostate gland causing pain in the genital area, pain when ejaculating (cumming) and problems weeing.

How is TV transmitted?

TV is usually transmitted (passed on) from vaginal/frontal sex without a condom with someone who has TV.

It can also be passed on by:

  • Genital-to-genital contact.
  • From fingers to genitals, if fingers have semen (cum or pre-cum) or vaginal fluid on them from someone with TV.
  • Sharing sex toys if they’re not covered with a new condom or washed before each person uses them.

If you’re pregnant, TV an be passed to the baby during a vaginal delivery.

TV is not passed on through anal (in the bum) or oral (in the mouth) sex.

You can’t get TV from kissing, hugging, holding hands, from toilet seats, swimming pools or from sharing towels or baths.

How can I avoid getting TV?

It’s possible to get TV more than once.

The best ways to help protect yourself from TV and other STIs are:

  • Use condoms when you have vaginal/frontal or anal sex.
  • Consider using condoms or dams for oral sex.
  • Get tested for STIs when you have a new sexual partner and before you stop using condoms with a partner.
  • If you share sex toys, cover them with a new condom or wash them thoroughly before each person uses them.

FAQs about free home trichomoniasis tests

Do I need a free trichomoniasis home self-sampling test?

Doing a self-sampling test at home is a fast and convenient way to get checked for common STIs.

Routine TV testing in people without symptoms is not needed. This means that a TV test is not part of a standard sexual health screening at sexual health clinics or at SH.UK

If testing is commissioned in your area, SH.UK will usually only offer a TV self-sampling test to:

  • Females with symptoms that may be caused by TV.
  • Anyone who has a sexual partner who has recently tested positive or been treated for TV.

    • If you feel like you’d benefit from a TV test but have not been offered one through SH.UK, you can go to a sexual health clinic. They can discuss which tests are recommended for you.

    Who should get a free trichomoniasis test?

    Anyone sexually active can get TV and other STIs.

    TV symptoms can often be mistaken for other common infections such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

    When you test for STIs through SH.UK we’ll let you know if a TV test is advised.

    If you get a sexual health screening at a clinic, they’ll let you know if a TV test is advised.

    If you’re sexually active, it can be a good idea to test for STIs at least once a year or when you have a new partner, especially if you have sex without a condom. Some people may be advised to test more often.

    When should I take a TV home self-sampling test?

    Request a home self-sampling STI test kit now if:

    • You have any symptoms that could be TV or another STI.
    • A sexual partner has TV or another STI.

    Depending on your symptoms, we may advise you to get tested at a clinic instead of doing a home test.

    Consider waiting up to 2 weeks after your last sexual contact if:

    • You have no symptoms and just want a sexual health check-up.

      • This helps any tests to be as accurate as possible. STIs may not always show up on a test straight away. Testing too early may mean you test negative even if you do have an early STI. More about when to take a test.

    How do I order a free TV and STI test kit?

    Order a free SH.UK STI testing kit online.

    • Answer some online questions.
    • We work out which tests are best for you.
    • If TV testing is available in your area, we’ll offer a TV test if you’re a female with symptoms or if you have a sexual partner who has recently tested positive or been treated for TV.

    If you would rather get tested at a sexual health clinic, search for your nearest clinic:

    Find clinics across England

    Find London clinics

    How do I use an SH.UK home self-sampling kit?

    Your STI testing kit comes with everything you need to take your own samples. This is called self-sampling.

    If you’re testing for TV:

    You pack your samples into the freepost box and send them back to our lab for testing. You can post them in any Royal Mail postbox.

    When will I get my results?

    When you test with SH.UK, you will usually get your results 2 or 3 days after your sample arrives at our lab.

    You will be able to view the results online. They are completely secure and private.

    Order your STI testing kit now to get you results as soon as possible.

    If you’re tested for TV at a sexual health clinic, your results may be ready straight away but can take up to 10 days.