Trichomoniasis Test

What are trichomoniasis tests?

Trichomoniasis testing is used to see if you have trichomoniasis (often called trich), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This infection is caused by a parasite called trichomonas, a tiny, single-celled life form. It usually affects the genital area.

You can get trichomoniasis by having sex without a condom with a partner who has the infection. It is more common in women than in men. This is because women can get the infection from both men and women who are infected. Men, however, usually only get trichomoniasis from women who are infected.

Trichomoniasis testing usually looks for the parasite in a sample of body fluid that's swabbed from the infected area. In women, the infection is usually in the vagina. In men, the infection is usually in the urethra, a tube in the penis that carries urine (pee) out of the body.

If you're a woman, your health care provider will often use a wet prep microscopy to test for the trichomoniasis. To do this, your provider will collect a sample of vaginal fluid from the infected area and examine it under a microscope. This method is often done first in women because it's quick and inexpensive. However, it isn't always accurate.

For men and women who may need additional testing, a provider may use:

• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which look for genetic material from the parasites that cause trichomoniasis.
• Rapid antigen tests, which look for certain proteins, called antigens, from the parasites that cause trichomoniasis, but only in samples of vaginal fluid.
• Culture tests, which look for trichomoniasis parasites under a microscope a week after collecting a sample of body fluid. If your sample had parasites, there will be more of them after a week, making them easier to find.

Trichomoniasis infections are rarely serious and can be cured with antibiotics. However, if trichomoniasis isn't treated, it can:

• Increase your risk of getting or spreading other STIs, including HIV.
• Cause infections in the prostate (a gland in the male reproduction system).
• Increase the chance of problems in pregnancy. These include giving birth too early (premature birth) and having a baby with a low birth weight (less than five and a half pounds).

If you think you could have an infection, it's important to get tested so you can get treatment if you need it.

Other names: T. vaginalis, trichomonas vaginalis testing, wet prep

What is it used for?

Trichomoniasis testing is used to:

• Diagnose trichomoniasis infections in people who have symptoms
• Screen for infection in women who have a high risk of infection
• See if you've been reinfected after treatment for trichomoniasis is finished

A trichomoniasis infection can increase your risk for different STIs. So, the test is often done with other STI tests, including those for:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea

Why do I need a trichomoniasis test?

You may need to get tested for trichomoniasis if:

• You have symptoms that could be an STI
• You're a woman with a high risk for getting an STI
• You've completed treatment for trichomoniasis, and your provider wants to see if you've been reinfected

Most people who have trichomoniasis don't have any symptoms. That means you can have trichomoniasis and pass it to a sex partner without knowing it. If you do have symptoms, they usually show up within 5 to 28 days after getting the infection. In some cases, people may develop symptoms much later. Symptoms can come and go and may vary depending on your sex:

For women, symptoms include:

• Itching, burning, redness or soreness around the genitals
• Discomfort when urinating (peeing) or having sex
• A clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge with a fishy smell

For men, symptoms include:

• Itching or irritation inside the penis or in the prostate
• Burning after urinating or ejaculating (releasing semen)
• Abnormal discharge from the penis

If you're a woman with a high risk for getting an STI, your provider may recommend screening for trichomoniasis even if you don't have symptoms. You may be at high risk if you have:

• Sex without using a condom
• Multiple sex partners
• HIV or other STIs
• Had trichomoniasis or other STIs in the past

Talk with your provider about your need for testing.

What happens during a trichomoniasis test?

Before your trichomoniasis test, your provider will usually ask about your symptoms and examine your genitals for signs of infection.

Next, your provider will usually use a small brush or swab to take a sample of body fluid. The preferred method of testing is with swab samples taken from either the urethra in the penis or the vagina and/or cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. You may feel some brief discomfort when the sample is taken.

You can also buy at-home collection kits to test for trichomoniasis and other STIs. With these kits, you collect a sample of urine or vaginal fluid to send to a lab for testing. It's important to follow all the instructions carefully. And be sure to discuss the results with your provider because you may need more testing.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for a trichomoniasis test. However, if your provider wants to test you for STIs at the same time, you may need to avoid douches and vaginal creams for 24 hours before a urine or swab test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There are no known risks to having a trichomoniasis test.

What do the results mean?

Your results will be either negative or positive.

A negative result means that no parasites were seen in your sample. However, if you have a negative result from a wet prep microscopy, that doesn't necessarily mean you don't have trichomoniasis. Because wet prep tests aren't always accurate, your provider may order other tests if they think you have an infection.

A positive result means that parasites were found in your sample. You have a trichomoniasis infection. Your provider will prescribe medicine to cure the infection. Be sure to:

• Finish all your medicine according to your provider's instructions
• Tell your recent sexual partners about your infection so they can get tested, too
• Let your provider know if you still have symptoms after treatment
• Get tested for other STIs

To prevent any future trichomoniasis infections, take appropriate precautions whenever having sex. These include:

• Having sex with only one partner who has tested negative for STIs and has sex only with you
• Using condoms correctly every time you have sex

If you had sex with someone before being treated for trichomoniasis, ask if that person has also been treated before having sex again. If they haven't been treated, they could reinfect you with the parasite.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results

Is there anything else I need to know about a trichomoniasis test?

Your provider may be able to diagnose trichomoniasis when testing a sample of your urine (pee) for conditions with similar symptoms. For example, your provider can tell if you have trichomoniasis if they find trichomonas during general STI screening or when testing for a urinary tract infection. If they find trichomonas during this test, they may perform an NAAT or other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

You might also need to get a trichomoniasis test if your provider found evidence of a trichomoniasis infection during a Pap test. A Pap test can't diagnose trich on its own, so additional testing can help your provider confirm or rule out an infection.