Trichomonas fast facts
• Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite that causes an
Your healthcare provider is here to help you take care
infection called trichomoniasis, and is spread through
of your health, but it’s up to you to start the
sexual contact.6
conversation. An untreated STI can have serious
• 3.7 million people in the U.S. are currently infected.7
• Trichomoniasis is most common in women aged
35-45, but can infect women of all ages.8
• Up to 85% of women with a trichomonas infection4
consequences to your long-term health. If you have
symptoms or you’re concerned that you may be infected
with an STI, it’s important to talk with your healthcare
provider to determine which tests may be right for you.
You might be surprised who’s at risk and who can
have no symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection
be infected. It’s time to leave the stereotypes behind
for many years without realizing it. Women may often
and start the conversation with your healthcare provider
mistake trichomonas infection for a yeast infection.
about your sexual health and any other health-related
• Symptoms may come and go and may include itching,
It’s
time
for
straight
talk
It’s time for straight talk
questions or concerns.
redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort during
For more information on trichomoniasis
urination, or an unusual smelling discharge that can be
and other women’s health topics,
clear, white, yellowish or greenish.6
please visit promisetome.com.
• Trichomoniasis can be easily treated and cured with
antibiotics. Male partners should be treated as well
because 72% of male partners may also be infected,
making re-infection very common.9
References: 1. Kent HL. Epidemiology of vaginitis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991;165:11681176. 2. CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. http://www.
cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/vaginal-discharge.htm. 3. Shew, ML et al. Association of
condom use, sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections with the duration of
genital human papillomavirus infection among adolescent women. Arch Pediatr Adolesc
Med; 160, February 2006:151-156. 4. Allsworth. Sex Transm Dis. 2009 December;
36(12): 738–744. 5. The CDC STD Treatment Guidelines, 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/std/
treatment/2010/default.htm. 6. CDC Fact Sheet: Trichomoniasis. http://www.cdc.gov/
std/trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm. 7. CDC Fact Sheet: Incidence, Prevalence
and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States. http://www.cdc.gov/
std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf. 8. Ginocchio, et al. P Clin. Microbiol.
doi:10.1128/JCM.00748-12. 9. Chapin. Expert Rev. Mol. Diagn. 11(7) 679-688 (2011).
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This is Heather, mother of two
and married for ten years.
She has a trichomonas infection
and doesn’t know it.
How can that be? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
don’t discriminate, and if left untreated, they can have
serious consequences to your long-term health.
Get the facts on getting tested.
It’s time for straight talk
After being married for over a decade, the thought of
an STI has never crossed Heather’s mind. For years,
she has been using douches and over-the-counter
medications for what she assumes are yeast infections.
However, her vaginal odor and discharge seem to keep
coming back. She is embarrassed to talk about
Talk with your healthcare provider about being tested
for trichomoniasis if:
2
• You’re experiencing vaginal discharge.
• You have one of the following risk factors: new
or multiple sex partners, another diagnosed STI(s)
or inconsistent condom use.
it with her healthcare provider. She has no idea that
• You’re HIV positive.
she has a trichomonas infection.
• You’re pregnant and experiencing vaginal symptoms
How can that be?
Regardless of relationship status, age, sexual preference
or ethnicity, sexually transmitted infections don’t
discriminate and if left untreated, they can have serious
consequences to your long-term health. Here is what
you should know about a very common and curable STI
called trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis: It’s more common —
and more curable — than you think
If you are experiencing abnormal vaginal symptoms, you
are not alone. Every year, 10 million women visit their
healthcare provider seeking a cure for vaginal itching,
burning and abnormal discharge.1
It’s a little known fact, but trichomoniasis is the most
common curable sexually transmitted infection and may
be the underlying cause for your vaginal discomfort.
So how do you know if getting tested makes sense
for you?
such as abnormal vaginal discharge, itching or burning.
Getting tested is easy
Providing a sample for testing is easy and painless.
Your healthcare provider may collect a sample for testing
along with your Pap test, by a vaginal swab or with
a urine sample.
If you test positive — You are not alone. The fact that
the infection has been identified and you can take steps
to treat it is a good thing for you and your health.
A positive test result does not necessarily mean that
you or your partner are engaging in sex outside of your
• You’ve already been diagnosed with a trichomonas
relationship. It is possible to have an infection for many
infection. (You should repeat testing in 3 months.)
years and not know it. Talk to your partner about being
What are the risks of an untreated infection?
tested and treated to prevent re-infection.
It’s easy to test and treat trichomonas infections; however,
If you test negative — Good news! Talk to your
an untreated trichomonas infection can cause health
consequences. Untreated infection risks include:
• Longer time to clear HPV infections.3
• A higher likelihood of contracting other STIs, including
chlamydia, gonorrhea or herpes.4
• An increased risk of becoming infected with and
passing on HIV.3
• In pregnant women, an associated risk with
preterm delivery (baby born too soon) and low
birth weight babies.5
• Anxiety and discomfort associated with symptoms.
healthcare provider about scheduling an annual
well-woman exam and make sure that you are getting
the right tests to protect your overall health.