Trichomoniasis

[michaelmouse]

I have been treated twice for trichomoniasis to no avail.  I was with one partner for 4 years and then the first partner I was with after that partner developed trich. and I was treated with metrodizonole with a single dose.  I was not with anyone for more than six months.  Five months into a new relationship she was diagnosed with "trich" as well.  Again I was treated with a single dose.  3 months later she has "trich" again.  I am sure that I have been faithful and she has too.  What am I missing?  Is there some other course of treatment that I should be seeking, or hopefully not the case, but is there something else I should be worried about.  In both cases it was my partner that was diagnosed and not me.  I have had no symptoms at all, but it appears that I have been carrying this for over one year now.

[HHH,MD]

Trich is hard to diagnose in men; none of the commercially available tests works very well.  But if 2 separate partners have had trich, especially if it seems likely you infected them, you probably have it.

Despite common recommendations for single-dose metronidazole, which works well in women, no research has ever shown whether it is effective in men, and stories of treatment failure (like yours) are common.  You should ask your provider for more prolonged treatment with metronidazole, e.g. 500 mg twice daily for 5 days.  Or get treated with tinidazole (trade name Tindamax), a newer drug well studied in men, effective in a single dose of 2 grams.  (But much more expensive than metronidazole.)

HHH, MD

[monkeyflower]

Have YOU been diagnosed? If not, that's the place to start.

[girl522]

I have never had trich but I have taken metro for bacterial vaginosis.  It was prescribed 2xday for 7 day.  I'm wondering if your getting the right amount.  One dose doesn't seem like it would work.