What is trichomoniasis?
In this article, find out what trichomoniasis is, how it is obtained, what is the treatment….
Trichomoniasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Trahomonas vaginalis. Studies have shown that about 70% of women and men infected with trichomonas have no visible symptoms at the outset. When symptoms appear, it is a sign that between 5 and 28 days have passed since the onset of the infection.
Trichomonas vaginalis belongs to a group of sexually transmitted diseases that are transmitted through vaginal, oral and anal sex. It can also be transmitted through hand-genital contact. Trichomoniasis can also be transmitted when there are no symptoms in a person!
The diagnosis of trichomoniasis is made by laboratory findings of a sample of vaginal mucus, or by testing for the presence of parasitic DNA.
Approximately 58 million people get trichomoniasis each year. Trichomoniasis is more common in women than men.
Signs and symptoms of trichomoniasis in women
As already mentioned, most people go asymptomatic so that initially there are no symptoms of trichomoniasis in women.
If disease progression, symptoms occur:
- pain and itching in the urethra or vagina
- pain and burning when urinating
- discomfort during sexual intercourse
- vaginal secretion yellow-green, sharp, unpleasant odor
- pain in the lower abdomen
All these symptoms Trichomoniasis in women is similar to the symptoms of other infections, so it is best to consult a gynecologist for diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of trichomoniasis in men
In men, the clinical picture is somewhat milder compared to women, and most men have no symptoms. However, if they occur, they occur in the form of:
– discomfort in the penis
– pain and burning when urinating or after ejaculation
– discomfort during sexual intercourse
Patients usually consult a physician when they experience symptoms such as blurred secretions (in women) and pain when urinating or after ejaculation (in men).
Who is the cause of trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled protozoan, a type of small parasite that “travels” between sexual partners during sexual intercourse.
The incubation period between exposure to this parasite and infection has not been fully established, but it is assumed to be 28 days.
Risk factors for trichomoniasis
Risk factors include:
– frequent change of sexual partners
– sexually transmitted disease of various causes
– previous trichomoniasis infections
– having sex without a condom
Complications of trichomoniasis
Although trichomoniasis is successfully treated, untreated trichomoniasis in pregnancy can have negative consequences for the fetus:
– premature births in the future
– birth of a low birth weight child
– transmission of infection from mother to baby during the passage of the baby through birth canal
Trichomoniasis in women increases the risk of HIV infection, which causes AIDS.
Also, trichomonas infection can co-occur with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
In men, trichomoniasis can cause inflammation of the urethra and prostate without visible symptoms. Special attention should be paid to inflammation of the prostate because, if left untreated, it can progress to the development of prostate tumors.
Trichomoniasis treatment
Cured trichomoniasis is not complicated. Therapy of all men and women, but also pregnant women is carried out with metronidazole (most often used Flagyl and Tindamax), which is administered orally. Pregnant women in the first 3 months of pregnancy should be careful because only metronidazole can give them side effects. The sexual partners of the affected persons, although they have no symptoms, should undergo metronidazole therapy. Therapy for sexual partners is important in order to prevent re-infection, which would continue the transmission of trichomoniasis.
Therapy for the treatment of trichomoniasis is very successful. From 95% – 97% of patients, the infection is resolved with a single dose of metronidazole. Numerous scientific studies suggest that about 4-5% of patients are resistant to metronidazole, and these are mostly patients who have already had trichomoniasis and were treated with metronidazole – re-use of any drug there is a real risk of resistance. If trichomoniasis is not treated, trichomoniasis can be maintained in the body for months and years in women, and in men it can be withdrawn. Women infected with HIV have a better chance of recovery if they have taken metronidazole for 7 days.
Natural treatment of trichomoniasis
Natural medicine has entered the field of treatment of diseases such as trichomoniasis through its medicinal foods.
In fact, we are not even aware of how healthy onions and garlic are!
Garlic can be used to treat trichomoniasis by making juice from several cloves of garlic (squeezing) and consuming it several times a day.
You can make a tampon from a mixture of onion and garlic by chopping half of the garlic and a quarter of the onion. For a more pleasant feeling, add a teaspoon of calendula fat. 5 – 7 days in a period of 4 hours, keep a tampon in the vagina.
An old, proven beverage for treating trichomoniasis is chamomile tea. Leave the chamomile soaked in boiling water for an hour or two, then strain it and consume it several times a day before meals.
Tea tree has also been used to treat trichomonas! You can make an extract from tea tree that you can add to the drink, and also prepare tea that you can consume several times a day, for no longer than 7 days. Tea tree has excellent antibacterial and antiparasitic action.
To increase the number of good bacteria, such as lactobacilli, try to consume yogurt daily. “Good” bacteria are an excellent ally in the fight against infections, to strengthen the immune system and eliminate toxins.
Also, water, which is a natural remedy for many diseases, helps treat parasitic infections such as trichomoniasis. Try to ingest 2-3 liters of water a day, proper hydration affects the state of the immune system that fights infection.
You can rinse the vagina with diluted apple cider vinegar that kills parasites. Rinse the vagina occasionally, and it is best to add only a few drops of apple cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water, so as not to damage the vaginal mucosa.
Note: before any use of natural remedies, consult a doctor! There are many situations when, due to your health, applying balm to the vagina does not help healing!
Prevention of Trichomoniasis
The best prevention will be led by VI, by taking care of your lifestyle. To prevent infection with trichomonas and other sexually transmitted microorganisms, always be guided by the following:
- do not have sex unless you are sure you are completely healthy, trichomoniasis is very easily transmitted
- trichomonas vaginalis can live outside the body for about 45 minutes: keep this in mind and do not share towels and bathing suits with people who are potentially infected
- be sure to take a shower after swimming in the city pool, trichomoniasis survives in water
- avoid sugar intake – parasites are the main source of energy for parasites
- always use a condom
- keep in mind that touching the genitals can also pose a risk of infection
- get tested regularly
- get your partner to get tested with you
Trichomoniasis cannot be transmitted by hugging or kissing!
Try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, and supply your body with vitamins A, C and E – if the immune system is strong and preserved, then treating trichomoniasis is far more successful.
