Official State of Rhode Island website

  • Change the visual color theme between light or dark modes
  • Adjust the font size from the system default to a larger size
  • Adjust the space between lines of text from the system default to a larger size
  • Adjust the space between words from the system default to a larger size

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (“Trich”) is a very common and treatable STI caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (a protozoan parasite). 

Most people who have trichomoniasis don’t have symptoms, so they can spread the infection without knowing it.

Symptoms 

  • Most people who have trichomoniasis don’t have symptoms, so they can spread the infection without knowing it

Men 

  • itching or irritation inside the penis
  • Burning after peeing or ejaculating 
  • Discharge from the penis 

Women 

  • Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals
  • Discomfort when peeing
  • Clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge with a fishy smell

Risks

  • Spreads through sex without a condom with a partner who has the infection

Testing

  • Detected by a lab test
  • May be a swab for vaginal fluid or a swab inside the penis
  • Sometimes a urine sample

Treatment

  • Treated and cured with antibiotics
  • Repeat infection is possible