What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is an infection you can get in the vagina and the urethra (where wee comes out). It’s uncommon in most of Australia.
How do you get Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis can be passed during penis-in-vagina sex with someone who has the infection.
It may be possible to pass when fingers or sex toys have one person’s infected genital fluids (vaginal fluid, pre-cum or semen) on them and are inserted into another person’s vagina.
The infection is unlikely to be passed on during oral or anal sex.
How can I prevent Trichomoniasis?
- Using condoms during vaginal sex will prevent the infection from being passed on. Condoms can also be changed between partners when sharing sex toys.
- Avoid exchanging vaginal fluid, precum and semen during mutual masturbation.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with Trichomoniasis, don’t have sex with anyone until seven days after finishing the antibiotics.
What are the tests for Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is not common in most of Australia. Testing for it isn’t part of a standard STI check-up so talk to your doctor if it’s needed. The test is a swab from the vagina or urine sample from the penis.
What is the treatment for Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is curable with antibiotics (avoid alcohol during and 24 hours after you’ve finished these tablets).
It’s important to let anyone you’ve had sex with know so they can get treated too.
