Trichomoniasis: Wetin You Need Know About This Common STI
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🩺 Medically reviewed by the HDG Medical Editorial Team
🔍 Quick Breakdown
Trichomoniasis na one common sexually transmitted infection (STI) wey one tiny parasite cause.
Some people no get any symptoms at all, while others fit notice unusual discharge, itching, burning or pain when dem urinate or have sex.
👉🏾 The good news be say trichomoniasis fit treat and cure if person get the correct medicine.
🟧 Wetin dey happen for the body?
After the parasite enter the private area during sex:
• e begin irritate the tissues
• inflammation fit develop
• discharge and discomfort fit start
Some people no even know say dem get the infection because symptoms no show.
👉🏾 Even if symptoms no show, person still fit pass the infection give another person.
🟧 How person fit get am?
Trichomoniasis dey spread mainly through sexual contact.
Risk fit increase if:
• person get unprotected sex
→ condom no dey used during sex.
• partner already get the infection
→ even if the partner no get any symptoms.
• partner no receive treatment
→ infection fit come back again after treatment.
👉🏾 Unlike yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis na sexually transmitted infection.
🟧 How you fit know say na trichomoniasis?
Some women no get symptoms.
But if symptoms show, person fit notice:
• yellow or greenish discharge
→ sometimes the discharge fit bubble (frothy).
• bad vaginal smell
→ e fit different from your normal smell.
• itching or irritation
→ especially around the private part.
• burning when urinating
→ because the infection don irritate the area.
• pain during sex
→ inflammation fit make sex become uncomfortable.
👉🏾 Symptoms fit start few days or even weeks after infection.
🟧 How e different from other vaginal infections?
Plenty women dey confuse trichomoniasis with BV or yeast infection.
For trichomoniasis:
• discharge fit yellow or green
• e fit frothy
• burning and irritation common
For bacterial vaginosis:
• discharge dey thin
• fishy smell dey common
• itching usually no too much
For yeast infection:
• discharge dey thick and white
• serious itching dey
• strong smell usually no dey
👉🏾 Because these infections fit resemble each other, healthcare worker fit recommend testing before treatment.
🟧 Real life example
After Munira begin new relationship, she notice say:
• unusual yellow discharge start
• e dey itch her
• e dey burn anytime she urinate
At first:
• she think say na ordinary yeast infection.
• she buy medicine by herself, but nothing change.
When she visit clinic:
Healthcare worker explain say laboratory test show say na trichomoniasis.
• both she and her partner receive treatment.
• dem avoid sex until treatment finish completely.
After treatment:
• the discharge stop.
• the itching reduce.
• she begin feel normal again.
👉🏾 If only one partner receive treatment, the infection fit come back again.
🟧 Wetin you fit do
• see healthcare worker if discharge change
→ especially if smell, colour or itching no be your normal.
• take all the prescribed medicine
→ even if symptoms disappear quickly.
• make your sexual partner receive treatment too
→ this one help prevent reinfection.
• avoid sex until treatment finish
→ to avoid spreading the infection.
👉🏾 Early treatment fit protect both you and your partner.
🟧 When you suppose go hospital 🚨
• fever
• severe pelvic pain
• symptoms during pregnancy
• symptoms no improve after treatment
• discharge with heavy bleeding
👉🏾 These signs fit mean another infection or complication wey need urgent medical attention.
🟢 Final reassurance
Trichomoniasis common, and treatment dey available.
No shame if person get am, and early treatment fit help prevent complications.
👉🏾 If you notice unusual discharge, itching, burning or pain during sex, make healthcare worker examine you instead of guessing the cause.
📚 Reference
For full medical references, see English version of this article.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article na for education only. E no replace advice from doctor.
If symptoms serious or no go, abeg see qualified healthcare professional.
🔗 Related Health Topics
• Vaginal Discharge
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Vaginal Yeast Infection
• Practicing Safe Sex and Protecting Your Reproductive Health
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Pain During Sex