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STDs (Expert Forum)
questions about trich
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
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Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
questions about trich
by cbonner, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
Hi Doc, I have some questions about trich. I had sex with a couple of pros (condom used except for masturbation, not aware of failure as i recall but cant be too sure.) and am now worried. I have had a full check up for std's at my GUM clinic (i'm in the uk) all returned neg. I feel sore around the frenulum area. I had sex with my g/f and she developed a discharge 3 weeks later which is odourless,clear but sometimes light brown along with some abd discomfort. I found out that clinics here dont test men for trich but as we can transmit it i am worried. my questions are:
1. does this sound like trich to you? 2. when i was tested at the clinic they looked at some urine under the microscope,would this have revealed trich? 3,have had doxy and cipro for unrelated issues would this be active if it were trich? 4. is a condom 100% protection if used correctly? 5. What would the main symptoms be for trich in a female? 6. would most males have discharge if infected with trich and why dont males get screened for it?
Also i have a stinging sensation around the frenulum and a constant feeling i have dribbled urine but upon inspection the head of the penis just feels clammy. could this be anything to worry about?
1. does this sound like trich to you? 2. when i was tested at the clinic they looked at some urine under the microscope,would this have revealed trich? 3,have had doxy and cipro for unrelated issues would this be active if it were trich? 4. is a condom 100% protection if used correctly? 5. What would the main symptoms be for trich in a female? 6. would most males have discharge if infected with trich and why dont males get screened for it?
Also i have a stinging sensation around the frenulum and a constant feeling i have dribbled urine but upon inspection the head of the penis just feels clammy. could this be anything to worry about?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
Trichomonas has been greatly under-studied in men. Most of what we 'know' is imprecise and probably has lots of exceptions. In general it is asymptomatic, but sometimes causes typical nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), i.e. discharge often but not always with mild pain or an irritated feeling on urination. It is unknown whether it explains other, more vague urinary tract symptoms like tingling, voiding urgency, or a sense of bladder awareness. However, the best data suggest that trich usually does not do those things.
My second general comment is that it is very important you and your partner not speculate about the cause of her discharge. She has to be examined to determine the cause, and not draw any conclusions at all based on your symptoms. Why don't you both return together to the GUM clinic for simultaneous evaluation?
To your specific questions:
1) Your symptoms don't sound like trich, but nobody can say that for sure, for the reasons noted above. Your girlfriend's discharge could be trich or any number of other things, not necessarily indicating any infection at all--but she must not take that chance. She must be examined.
2) Microscopy misses most trich infections in men.
3) Those antibiotics do not treat trich. But with them, you can be certain you don't have any other significant infection.
4) Properly used condoms probably are 100% protective against STDs transmitted between the urethra and vagina or cervix, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis B, and trich. They are less effective against skin-to-skin infections like herpes, HPV, and syphilis--but still highly protective against those infetions.
5) You seem to already know that the main symptom of trich in women is abnormal vaginal discharge. The character and color of the discharge (clear, cloudy, yellowish, with or without odor) are too variable to be much help one way or the other.
6) See above about symptoms. There are no readily available tests that are accurate for trich diagnosis in men, although this likely will change in the future. In general, trich has been considered an inconvenient but entirely benign condition, with no serious consequences. That probably is true for men, but in recent years the potential seriousness of trich in women is increasingly becoming apparent. Over time, there may be more attention to diagnosing it in men, but don't hold your breath.
Bottom line: Your symptoms do not suggest anything potentially serious at all for your own health. Get your partner checked. If she has trich, then you should be treated for it as well. But even in that case, do not count on it having any effect on your symptoms.
Finally, rely on your GUM clinic. The staff there undoubtedly know just as much about all this as I do.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
My second general comment is that it is very important you and your partner not speculate about the cause of her discharge. She has to be examined to determine the cause, and not draw any conclusions at all based on your symptoms. Why don't you both return together to the GUM clinic for simultaneous evaluation?
To your specific questions:
1) Your symptoms don't sound like trich, but nobody can say that for sure, for the reasons noted above. Your girlfriend's discharge could be trich or any number of other things, not necessarily indicating any infection at all--but she must not take that chance. She must be examined.
2) Microscopy misses most trich infections in men.
3) Those antibiotics do not treat trich. But with them, you can be certain you don't have any other significant infection.
4) Properly used condoms probably are 100% protective against STDs transmitted between the urethra and vagina or cervix, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis B, and trich. They are less effective against skin-to-skin infections like herpes, HPV, and syphilis--but still highly protective against those infetions.
5) You seem to already know that the main symptom of trich in women is abnormal vaginal discharge. The character and color of the discharge (clear, cloudy, yellowish, with or without odor) are too variable to be much help one way or the other.
6) See above about symptoms. There are no readily available tests that are accurate for trich diagnosis in men, although this likely will change in the future. In general, trich has been considered an inconvenient but entirely benign condition, with no serious consequences. That probably is true for men, but in recent years the potential seriousness of trich in women is increasingly becoming apparent. Over time, there may be more attention to diagnosing it in men, but don't hold your breath.
Bottom line: Your symptoms do not suggest anything potentially serious at all for your own health. Get your partner checked. If she has trich, then you should be treated for it as well. But even in that case, do not count on it having any effect on your symptoms.
Finally, rely on your GUM clinic. The staff there undoubtedly know just as much about all this as I do.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Thanks for the thanks, but that's all there will be. I won't have any further comments. Feel free to carry on a discussion on the patient-to-patient STD Support forum.