WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies , 9:00pm Friday 12th March 2010 on Channel 4. Catch up for free »

Conditions

Trichomoniasis

Like all sexually transmitted infections, trichomoniasis is relatively common and is usually spread by having unprotected sex. It affects both men and women, with symptoms tending to appear 5 to 28 days after exposure to the infection. However, men very rarely present any symptoms when they are infected, and approximately 50% of women present no symptoms at all. But if symptoms do appear, then women can look forward to soreness, inflammation and itching around the vagina; a fishy-smelling discharge that may appear thicker, thinner, frothy or yellow or green in colour; pain or discomfort when passing urine; discomfort during sexual intercourse; and pain in the lower abdomen. Men can also experience pain after urination and ejaculation; thin white discharge from the penis; and similar discomfort during sexual intercourse. Trichomoniasis is usually treated quickly and easily with an antibiotic that, if taken correctly, is at least 95% effective. But let’s be honest, it’s probably easier to just wear a condom.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

hiya, for about three months ive started noticing that my vagina is quite painful and feels like its torn even though i know its not, it happens regulary through excersise so its affecting me in my normal life and i just dont know what to do about it. Please help?x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi,for the past year and a half it is painful when my boyfriend first enters me when we have sex. It is really painful but dies down quickly; it's really affecting my sex life though as I dred that feeling, please help me.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Dear doctor, i have been having the same problem as most people here. i get a heavy discharge and it smells abit fishy and yellow, ive been with my partner for 2 years and we havnt had sex yet as he wants to make me wait 2 prove hes not in it just for one thing as im only 16. i dont normally come when i masturbate and i get quite itchy down there. Its a horrible feeling and scared its going 2 ruin our relationship. i have only had sex a few times before and it started after that. Thanks x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi. Im 25 and for the past few years i have had this discharge some times it dont smell.. but some times it does.. i have STI Tests and it always comes back clear.. but as i dont know what it is im now gettin worried.. i have been with my partner for 2 years and have a little daughter.. i had this befor i had my daughter and i sometimes feel dirty and have to go home and have a shower if ive been out.. im to embarresed to ask my doctors or nurse to look.. PLEASE HELP ME...





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I am a CNA and I am recommending that you go to your doctor it may just be a yeast infection. please stop using tampons to stop the discharge and the smell every time you use a tampon it releases bacteria as it is and that will only make it worse if you have a yeast infection. doctors keep things confidential and no one else is going to know what you are there for it will be ok seek help ASAP before it gets worse

hi if you could please help me im 20 years old and had sex for the first time 10 month ago... since i have had sex i keep on getting a white discharge and can some times smell quite fishy i dont dare go see my g.p as im too embarresed... this really noks my confidence as even tho others prob cant smell it i can and some times put a tampon in to catch all the discharge i found this helps as i dont smell that way but im sceaed its dangerous please help me thank you





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

dear doctor, for the past two years since having my little boy and being sterilised i have developed a problem during and after my period, i seem to have discharge that doesn't smell pleasant, it starts off as offish brown colour and sometimes pink, it worries me abit because i feel people notice it, i have a bath everyday but still seems to be the same i've been to my gp about it and had tests done but nothing came back from it? i would be very grateful if you could help!!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hello..well i have a problem because i have like whtie stuff caming out my vigina, and is not a strong smell but i can smell it white having a pee..an quite young and i did have sex, so i am scared..am really woried that i can have a deasase! please write back!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi please help, i have akot of discharge, it has a slight smell but nothing strong and not fishy. i cant ahve sex because it hurts to put it in. iv found that i get really itchy aswell. iv been and had swabs by the nurse at my doctors and at the gu clinic and they havnt found anything please help its really getting me down





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have something similar but have thick white Discarge around the inside of my vagina also when I'm having sex with my bf he hurts like hell everytime I don't eant to go the doctors bcos I'm to embarrassed help please x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Dear Doctor . for the past 8 month ive had a funny smelling off coloured discharge. i recently went for a full sti check up and it came back clear but it still hasn't gone. i bath daily and nothing seems to make it go. It's awful!!!!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Consultation: Soreness on the Penis

    In Videos - A patient is examined for soreness around his penis

  2. Doctor Responses: Chlamydia

    In Videos - Dr Christian answers your most frequently asked questions about Chl…

  3. Doctor Responses: Vaginal Discharge

    In Videos - Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about vaginal…

  4. Consultation: Painful Penis

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a patient whose pleasures in life have been severe…

  5. Consultation: Prostate Cancer

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a patient whose Prostate Cancer has worsened in re…

  6. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  7. Teens Below the Belt

    In Episodes - Episode 4 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies tackles conditions includi…

  8. Boys, Boys, Boys

    In Episodes - Episode 3 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies takes a closer look at bin…

  9. Consultation: Second Adult Circumcision

    In Videos - Dr Jessen examines a patient in need of a new circumcision

  10. Vaginas

    In Episodes - The EI team roll into Norwich to setup a clinic in one of the count…

  11. Consultation: Vaginal Prolapse

    In Videos - Dr Harper examines a woman who has suffered a prolapsed vagina afte…

  12. Consultation: Enlarged Labia

    In Videos - A woman comes to see Dr McKenna about her enlarged labia.

  13. Am I Normal?

    In Episodes - Episode 2 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies looks at conditions includ…

  14. Dr Priya Manickavasagar

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Priya.

  15. Dr James Russell

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr James Russell.


More Information

Content supplied by NHS Choices

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis (see box, below left).  Read More »

Be on the Show

Have you been inspired by the patients in the current series to seek help for your problem? Apply to be on the show here >