Q1. What are the first symptoms of trichomoniasis?

Ans: There is no single first symptom of trichomoniasis. Genital itching or irritation, burning while urinating, unusual vaginal discharge or penile discharge may be among the first noticeable signs, but many people have no symptoms.

Q2. What does trichomoniasis discharge look like?

Ans: Vaginal discharge linked with trichomoniasis is often thin, frothy or bubbly, and can range in colour from clear or white to yellowish or greenish. It may also increase in amount and have an unusual smell, but discharge alone cannot confirm the infection.

Q3. Does trichomoniasis cause a vaginal smell?

Ans: Trichomoniasis can cause an unusual or fishy vaginal smell, particularly when it occurs with a change in discharge.

Q4. What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis in men?

Ans: Men with trichomoniasis may experience itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or penile discharge. However, many men have no noticeable symptoms.

Q5. Can trichomoniasis cause pain when urinating?

Ans: Yes. Trichomoniasis can irritate the genital and urinary tract and cause burning or discomfort while urinating. Other infections can cause the same symptoms, so testing may be needed to identify the cause.

Q6. Can trichomoniasis symptoms disappear and return?

Ans: Yes. Trichomoniasis symptoms can come and go, even when the infection is still present.

Q7. Can you have trichomoniasis without knowing it?

Ans: Yes. Many people with trichomoniasis have no noticeable symptoms, so they may not know they have the infection. A person without symptoms can still pass the infection to a sexual partner.

Q8. When should I see a doctor for trichomoniasis symptoms?

Ans: If you notice unusual genital discharge, persistent itching or irritation, burning while urinating, penile discharge or pain during sex, see a doctor as soon as possible for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms: Early Signs & Warning Signs

Quick Glance: Common Trichomoniasis Symptoms

Trichomoniasis may cause genital and urinary symptoms, although many people have no noticeable signs.

Common trichomoniasis symptoms include:

Genital itching, burning, redness or soreness
Itching or irritation inside the penis
Burning or discomfort while urinating
Burning after ejaculation
Unusual vaginal discharge
Penile discharge
Pain or discomfort during sex
An unusual or fishy vaginal smell

Trichomoniasis Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

The table below mentions trichomoniasis symptoms that you should never ignore:

Symptom	What It May Indicate
Unusual vaginal discharge	Trichomoniasis or another vaginal infection may be present
Penile discharge	Trichomoniasis, urethritis or another STI may be present
Persistent genital itching, burning or soreness	Ongoing genital inflammation or infection may need evaluation
Burning or pain while urinating	Inflammation or infection affecting the urethra or genital tract
Pain during sex	Genital inflammation or another vaginal or pelvic condition may be present
Symptoms that improve and return	The infection may still be present even if symptoms temporarily settle

Why Do Trichomoniasis Symptoms Occur?

Trichomoniasis symptoms develop when Trichomonas vaginalis infects the urogenital tract and irritates the affected tissues. The infection can cause local inflammation, which may lead to redness, swelling, itching, burning and soreness.

In women, the parasite commonly affects the lower genital tract. Inflammation can increase or change vaginal discharge and may cause an unusual smell, discomfort while urinating or pain during sex.

In men, the infection commonly affects the urethra and can cause urethral irritation. This may lead to burning after urination or ejaculation, irritation inside the penis or penile discharge.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

While trichomoniasis most commonly presents as an asymptomatic infection, when symptoms do occur, they affect the genital or urinary tract and rarely lead to a sudden medical emergency.

Seek urgent medical care if you experience:

Severe or rapidly worsening lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding
Fainting, severe dizziness or extreme weakness
High fever with significant pelvic or abdominal pain
Severe symptoms during pregnancy, particularly if accompanied by pain, bleeding or feeling very unwell

These symptoms may indicate severe complications, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or co-infections with other STIs, and require urgent medical evaluation.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Men

Many men with trichomoniasis do not have noticeable symptoms initially. When symptoms occur, they usually affect the urethra and may cause irritation or discomfort inside the penis.

Men may experience:

Itching or irritation inside the penis
Burning after urination
Burning after ejaculation
Discharge from the penis

A person without symptoms can still have the infection and pass Trichomonas vaginalis to a sexual partner.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Women

Some women with trichomoniasis have no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms occur, vaginal discharge, genital irritation and discomfort while urinating are among the more common signs.

Women may experience:

Clear, white, yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge
An increase in vaginal discharge
An unusual or fishy vaginal smell
Genital itching, burning, redness or soreness
Discomfort or burning while urinating
Pain or discomfort during sex

The appearance or smell of vaginal discharge alone cannot confirm trichomoniasis because other vaginal infections can cause similar changes.

Can You Have Trichomoniasis Without Symptoms?

Yes. Many people with trichomoniasis have no noticeable symptoms, while others may have only mild genital or urinary changes. This means a person can have the infection without realising it.

When symptoms do occur, some people notice them within 5 to 28 days after infection, while others may develop symptoms much later. Symptoms can also come and go over time.

Having no symptoms does not mean the infection has cleared. A person without noticeable symptoms can still pass Trichomonas vaginalis to a sexual partner.

How are Trichomoniasis Symptoms Diagnosed?

Because STIs share overlapping symptoms, only lab testing can confirm trichomoniasis symptoms. The following assessments are done to diagnose trichomoniasis symptoms:

Test or Assessment	Purpose
Medical and sexual history	Reviews symptoms, their duration and possible exposure to an STI
Genital examination	Checks for discharge, redness, inflammation, or specialised signs such as punctate haemorrhages on the cervix
Vaginal swabs (for women), urethral swabs, or first-catch urine samples (for men)	Provides a sample that can be tested for Trichomonas vaginalis
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT)	Detects genetic material from Trichomonas vaginalis and are highly sensitive
Wet-mount microscopy	Looks for motile Trichomonas vaginalis organisms directly in a fresh sample
Culture	Grows the parasite from an appropriate genital specimen when required

NAATs are more sensitive than wet-mount microscopy and can detect infections that microscopy may miss. The appropriate test and specimen depend on the person and the testing method available.

FAQs

Q1. What are the first symptoms of trichomoniasis?

Ans: There is no single first symptom of trichomoniasis. Genital itching or irritation, burning while urinating, unusual vaginal discharge or penile discharge may be among the first noticeable signs, but many people have no symptoms.
Q2. What does trichomoniasis discharge look like?

Ans: Vaginal discharge linked with trichomoniasis is often thin, frothy or bubbly, and can range in colour from clear or white to yellowish or greenish. It may also increase in amount and have an unusual smell, but discharge alone cannot confirm the infection.
Q3. Does trichomoniasis cause a vaginal smell?

Ans: Trichomoniasis can cause an unusual or fishy vaginal smell, particularly when it occurs with a change in discharge.
Q4. What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis in men?

Ans: Men with trichomoniasis may experience itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or penile discharge. However, many men have no noticeable symptoms.
Q5. Can trichomoniasis cause pain when urinating?

Ans: Yes. Trichomoniasis can irritate the genital and urinary tract and cause burning or discomfort while urinating. Other infections can cause the same symptoms, so testing may be needed to identify the cause.
Q6. Can trichomoniasis symptoms disappear and return?

Ans: Yes. Trichomoniasis symptoms can come and go, even when the infection is still present.
Q7. Can you have trichomoniasis without knowing it?

Ans: Yes. Many people with trichomoniasis have no noticeable symptoms, so they may not know they have the infection. A person without symptoms can still pass the infection to a sexual partner.
Q8. When should I see a doctor for trichomoniasis symptoms?

Ans: If you notice unusual genital discharge, persistent itching or irritation, burning while urinating, penile discharge or pain during sex, see a doctor as soon as possible for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.