Trichomonas - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments by:James S. Pendergraft

Trichomoniasis is one of the sexually transmitted infections (or sexually transmitted diseases

, STD) caused by a microscopic parasite, a protozoa. Usually it is found in urethral tissues and vagina. Although women are likely to be infected men can be infected too. So let's try to understand that

sexual transmitted disease.

Causes

This disease is the most widespread curable sexual infection. The trichomonad has an average size of 15 mm which cannot be seen by naked eye and the parasites are reproduced every 8-12 hours. The figures show that men have more resistance to this parasite as only 14%-60% of men and 67%-100% of women with infected partners have the parasite.

It is not clear why women have more chance of getting infected than men. One possibility could be that the zinc and some substances that are harmful to trichomonads exist in the prostatic fluid.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms

Usually symptoms in men are milder than women, and in women it usually occurs in 1-4 weeks of the initial infection. As mentioned above infected men do not have any symptoms this they do not visit the doctor to receive medical treatments. To prevent re infection of the woman the sexual partner should be treated and evaluated as well.

The symptoms include:

Women

Vaginal discharge

Vaginal itching

Itchy, smelly, and typically foamy or frothy discharge

Yellow or green- gray discharge

Pain during urination

One-third of women who are infected do not have symptoms.

Men

The majority do not have any symptoms

Urethral discharge

Pain during urination

swelling and pain in scrotum -from epididymitis

Trichomoniasis Treatment

Medical Treatment

The treatment is metronidazole "Flagyl" which incase of pregnancy should not be taken during first trimester. It should be kept in mind not to take the medicine and drink alcohol same time, as the combination can cause vomiting and abdominal pain

Self-Care at Home

Apart from medical treatments there are home treatments which should not be substitute and preferred to the medical treatment. However always keep in mind that it is always better to consult your doctor at first!

Having a warm bath and a natural douche may help increase the parasite killing activity. Best to add juice of a lemon to the douche :Vinegar douche - vinegar, 1 tea spoon, warm water 1 quart.

Aromatherapy: bergamot oil -Citrus aurantium var bergamia, helps dry up the irritating discharge. You can add it to bath water or use it in douches.

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

A high dosage can be very effective but may increase the side effects like vomiting and nausea.

An alternative is to take pills two times a day for a week.

(Gyne-Lotrimin, Mycelex-7)

In case of having symptoms and pregnancy:

Clotrimazole is a vaginal Medicine and should be inserted for two weeks at night.

It decreases the symptoms, with a cure rate of only 20%.

Partners

The man will have to take either a large dose or be treated for a week.

Keep in mind that the doctor might not write a prescription unless evaluating her/or him first.

To Your Health!

About the author

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.

http://www.womenscenter.com/

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