Trichomoniasis: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Trichomoniasis is also known as 'trich' or 'trichomonas vaginalis'.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease and is considered to be the most common of the lot. It can be characterised by vaginal irritation in women, followed by excessive discharge or a foul odor. In men, trichomoniasis can be detected by discharge from the penis, accompanied with irritation. During sexual intercouse, both partners can face excess difficulties in going forward with the act.

Trichomoniasis is more common in women than in men, and is caused by the parasite called trichomonas vaginalis from a vagina to a penis, or a penis to a vagina or from a vagina to another. More often people infected with trichomoniasis fail to recognise the disease in the first place. Also, it is more likely to happen to older women than younger women.

This disease mostly forms a part of the woman’s vaginal tract as the parasite is most likely to affect that area during sex, from a penis to a vagina. It can also spread from one vagina to another, and does not infect any other body part. There are also many factors which decide why some people infected with trichomoniasis face the symptoms while others do not. 70% of the global population gets infected with it daily but fails to detect it, solely for the fact that the symptoms are not prevalent for everybody.

Trichomoniasis does not require the need for any kind of surgery. It can be easily cured with medication like metronidazole or tinidazole. The pills or tablets can be orally consumed.

This cure relieves the individual of the symptom then and there. However, it can occur again because of an infected partner. A checkup is required in case the symptoms come back. Generally, it takes about two or three months before trichomoniasis is likely to occur again.

Men or women infected with Trichomoniasis can use tablets prescribed to them for treatment. Even pregnant women can consume the medication prescribed.

Individuals with a drinking or smoking habit should not take medication for Trichomoniasis. The habit should be stopped for a long period, till the alcohol or nicotine exits the system, in order for the medication to work.

Trichomoniasis makes men or women more susceptible in catching other sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. However, for the treatment of the same, there are no side effects as the medication is consumed orally.

It would be best for individuals affected by Trichomoniasis to not undergo any sexual activities for two weeks. Instant sexual interaction can again cause trichomoniasis to occur. Also it is recommended to not consume any alcohol for the next 24 hours after the treatment. If the individual's sex partners can be checked and treated for the same, it would help prevent the recurrence of trichomoniasis after the treatment.

Trichomoniasis takes less than a week to be treated.

Trichomoniasis can be treated within a price range of Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000 as oral pills are enough to cure this sexually transmitted disease.

The treatment for trichomoniasis does eradicate it from the body, however the results are not permanent as this is a sexually transmitted disease and can reoccur if the individual comes in contact with an infected partner.