Embarrassing Illnesses

If there is a high chance you have trichomoniasis and you are showing very obvious symptoms, treatment may be started before the results of the test are back.

Trichomoniasis is unlikely to go away without treatment. In some rare cases, the infection may cure itself - but if you do not get treated, you risk passing the infection on to someone else.

Antibiotics and antifungals

Trichomoniasis is usually treated quickly and easily. Most men and women will be prescribed an antibiotic known as metronidazole, which if taken correctly, is very effective. You will usually have to take metronidazole twice a day, for five to seven days.

Sometimes this antibiotic can be prescribed in a single concentrated dose. However, this single dose is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Metronidazole can cause nausea, vomiting and a slight metallic taste in your mouth. It is best to take it after food. If you start vomiting, contact your GP, as the treatment will not be effective.

You must not drink alcohol while taking metronidazole or for at least 48 hours after finishing the course of antibiotics. Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can cause more severe side effects.

If you cannot tolerate metronidazole, your GP may prescribe a single dose of another antibiotic called tinidazole.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women can safely take metronidazole.

However, pregnant women who experience side effects when taking metronidazole or who do not wish to take the medicine may be prescribed clotrimazole. A clotrimazole pessary is a type of antifungal medicine that is inserted into the vagina. It is very safe for pregnant women to use and will help relieve symptoms of trichomoniasis. However, it is far less effective than antibiotics and is unlikely to cure the infection. Your GP will have to monitor your condition and may need to carry out further tests to check the infection has cleared.

Contraception

The antibiotics used to treat trichomoniasis can affect the reliability of some forms of contraception.

If you are taking a contraceptive pill that contains both oestrogen and progestogen (such as the combined pill), your antibiotics may stop it from working properly. You may also be affected if you are using the contraceptive patch or the contraceptive ring (NuvaRing).

It is therefore advisable that you use another form of contraception, such as a condom, while you are being treated for trichomoniasis. Your GP or family planning clinic nurse will be able to advise you.

Follow-up tests

If you take your antibiotic treatment correctly, you will not normally need any follow-up tests or examinations for trichomoniasis.

However, if your symptoms remain after treatment, or if your original laboratory test produced a negative result for trichomoniasis, you may require further testing to see whether your symptoms are being caused by a different sexually transmitted infection.

If you have unprotected sex before your treatment is finished, you need to return to your GP surgery or sexual health clinic because you may have become re-infected. You must also return if you:

• did not complete your course of antibiotics,
• did not take your antibiotics correctly (according to the instructions), or
• if you vomited shortly after taking your antibiotics.

You may need another course of antibiotics or a different form of treatment.

Sexual partners

It is important to not have sexual intercourse while you are being treated for trichomoniasis, otherwise you may become re-infected.

If you were prescribed a single one-day dose of antibiotics, you need to avoid sexual intercourse for seven days after you have taken the medication.

It is also important that your partner is tested for the infection, as they too must be treated. If your sexual partner is not treated, then this increases the risk of re-infection.