Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination.

Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms. Pregnant women who have trichomoniasis might be at higher risk of delivering their babies prematurely.

To prevent reinfection with the organism that causes trichomoniasis, both partners should be treated. The most common treatment for trichomoniasis involves taking one megadose of metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). You can reduce your risk of infection by using condoms correctly every time you have sex.

Many women and most men with trichomoniasis have no symptoms, at least not at first. Trichomoniasis signs and symptoms for women include:

• An often foul-smelling vaginal discharge — which might be white, gray, yellow or green
• Genital redness, Burning and itching
• Pain with urination or sexual intercourse

Trichomoniasis rarely causes symptoms in men. When men do have signs and symptoms, however, they might include:

• Irritation inside the penis
• Burning with urination or after ejaculation
• Discharge from the penis

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have a foul-smelling vaginal discharge or if you have pain with urination or sexual intercourse.

Trichomoniasis is caused by a one-celled protozoan, a type of tiny parasite that travels between people during sexual intercourse. The incubation period between exposure and infection is unknown, but it's thought to range from five to 28 days.

The most common treatment for trichomoniasis, even for pregnant women, is to swallow one megadose of either metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). In some cases, your doctor might recommend a lower dose of metronidazole two times a day for seven days.

Both you and your partner need treatment. And you need to avoid sexual intercourse until the infection is cured, which takes about a week.

Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours after taking metronidazole or 72 hours after taking tinidazole, because it can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Your doctor will likely want to retest you for trichomoniasis from two weeks to three months after treatment to be sure you haven't been reinfected.

Untreated, trichomoniasis can last for months to years.

Risk factors include having:

• Multiple sexual partners
• A history of other sexually transmitted infections
• A previous episode of trichomoniasis
• Having sex without a condom

Treatment of trichomoniasis requires an oral antibiotic that is effective against infections caused by this parasite. Treatment can be given during pregnancy. Options may include:

1. Megadose: Your health care provider may recommend one large dose (megadose) of either metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) or secnidazole (Solosec). You only take these oral medications one time.
2. Multiple doses: Your provider might recommend several lower doses of metronidazole or tinidazole. You take the pills two times a day for seven days. To help clear up the infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time your provider prescribed the drug, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your infection may not go away completely.
3. All sex partners need treatment at the same time. This prevents getting the infection again the right way (reinfection). And you need to avoid sex until the treatment is done and the symptoms have gone away. This usually takes about a week after finishing the last antibiotic dose. Tell your health care provider if symptoms don't go away after treatment.
4. Drinking alcohol during and for a few days after the treatment can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours after taking metronidazole, 48 hours after taking secnidazole, or 72 hours after taking tinidazole.
5. Your health care provider will typically retest you for trichomoniasis after treatment. A retest two weeks to three months after treatment can check to be sure the infection is gone and that you haven't been reinfected.
6. Even if you've had treatment that gets rid of trichomoniasis, it's possible to get it again if you're exposed to someone with the infection.

Symptoms
Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals,Discomfort when peeing, A clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge with a fishy smell
Conditions
Thin, often foul-smelling discharge from the vagina,Discomfort of the genitals
Drugs
Antibiotic medications that kill parasites like metronidazole (Flagyl) and tinidazole (Tindamax)