Men's Visible Signs of Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis ranks first in sexually transmitted infections in the United States, with more than 7.4 million people contracting the disease annually. Often called "trich," this infection can cause a host of issues for both men and women, yet doctors can easily treat it. While having a sexually transmitted disease is often associated with shame or embarrassment, treatment is quick, easy and painless. Knowing the signs and symptoms can increase awareness about trichomoniasis and hopefully improve treatment time.

Definition

• Trichomoniasis infection is caused by a microscopic parasite called Trichomoniasis vaginalis. Men can contract it from infected sexual female partners through sexual intercourse. The parasite lives in the vagina of women and the urinary tract of men. The infection is easily spread between partners. Having trichomoniasis does not prevent you from getting it again if you are exposed again, so take care to protect yourself.

Symptoms

• Symptoms are present with most trichomoniasis infections and differ between men and women. Women typically have more severe symptoms, including pain with urination and sexual intercourse, abnormal discharge and potential abdominal pain. Men often have no symptoms at all, but if symptoms are present, they can include discharge from the penis, pain with urination and irritation inside the penis. Symptoms for men might disappear fairly quickly, even without treatment, but this does not mean that they are infection-free.

Treatment

• Treatment for trichomoniasis is typically an oral medicine that you take once. If you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, make sure that your partner is treated for the infection as well, even if your partner has no symptoms at all. Until you are treated and your symptoms are totally resolved, it is best to abstain from sexual intercourse because you may become reinfected or exposed to a different sexually transmitted disease.