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Tricomoniasis

What is it?
Trichomoniasis is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.

Symptoms
You may or may not have symptoms but if you do:
Women may have:

• A green frothy vaginal discharge.
• Genital soreness.
• Pain when peeing.

• Pain during sex.

Men may have:

• A green discharge from their penis.

• Pain when peeing.

How do people get it?
You can get TV in the following ways:

• Unprotected vaginal sex.

• Through sharing sex toys.
  You should always wash sex toys and use a condom.

How is it diagnosed and treated?
Swabs are taken from the urethra (pee tube) or vagina and men may have an external examination of their testicles and scrotum. TV is treated with a simple course of antibiotics.

You should not have penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) until you have returned to the clinic and been given the all-clear by the doctor or nurse.

What if it is not treated?
Complications associated with TV are rare. If a woman is infected when she gives birth, she may pass it on to the baby if it is a girl. Once born, the baby can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Where to get help
If you think you may have TV, contact your local sexual health (GUM) clinic and make an appointment. It’s easy and completely confidential.

For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic.

Links and contact details

Name: NHS Direct Wales
Web: NHS Direct Wales – Health Encyclopedia
Email:
Tel: 0845 46 47
Info: NHS Direct Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day that was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government.

GUM Clinics in South East Wales

ABERDARE
Aberdare General Hospital
Aberdare, CF44 0RF
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening Times: Tue & Thu, 9.30am – 12.30pm

CARDIFF
Cardiff Royal Infirmary
Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0SZ
Tel: 029 2033 5207 / 8
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 8.40 a.m – 5.00 p.m; Wednesday – Closed; Friday Afternoon – Closed (Closed for lunch 12.15 – 1.15 p.m.)

NEWPORT
Royal Gwent Hospital
Cardiff Road, Newport, NP2 2UB
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 12.30pm; 1.30pm – 4.30pm

PONTYPOOL
Panteg County Hospital
Coed-Y-Cric Road, Griffiths Town, Pontypool, NP4 5YA
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon, 5.00pm – 7.30pm

PONTYPRIDD
Students Health Centre
Dewi Sant Hospital
University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening times: Tue, 9.00am – 12.30pm

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