Embarrassing Illnesses

Trichomoniasis is believed to be very common, but many infected men and women will not have any symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms of trichomoniasis than men.

The symptoms of trichomoniasis are similar to those of other sexually transmitted infections or conditions (see below). They tend to appear 5 to 28 days after you have been exposed to the infection.

If you develop any of the below symptoms, visit your GP to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms in women

Trichomoniasis affects the vagina and urethra (tube through which urine passes), causing any of the following symptoms:

• Soreness, inflammation (swelling) and itching around the vagina. Sometimes your inner thighs also become itchy.
• A change in vaginal discharge. Your discharge may appear thicker, thinner, frothy or yellow or green in colour. You may also produce more discharge than normal and it may have an unpleasant, fishy smell. 
• Pain or discomfort when passing urine.
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Pain in your lower abdomen (tummy).  

Symptoms in men

Trichomoniasis affects the urethra (tube through which urine passes) and occasionally the prostate gland (a gland at the neck of the bladder that helps produce semen), causing any of the following symptoms:

• pain after urination and ejaculation,
• thin white discharge from the penis, and
• discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Rarely, a man may also have an inflamed (red and swollen) foreskin.