Trichomoniasis is a disease, in most cases, sexually transmitted. It is excited by a unicellular bacterium that affects both the male and female sexes. Surprisingly, this infection in men may not manifest itself at all, but trichomoniasis in women always proceeds with characteristic symptoms.
You can become infected with it in almost any unprotected sexual contact. In addition, trichomoniasis in women may appear after direct contact with the sperm, blood or mucous membrane of an infected person. There may also be infection of the fetus from a sick mother both during pregnancy and intrauterine development, and during the natural birth. It is also true that trichomoniasis in women is almost the only sexually transmitted disease, which can be picked up in everyday conditions, although the likelihood of this is very small. However, when wearing someone else’s underwear, using someone else’s towels, visiting a public bath or pool, there is a chance of infection.
As we have already said, trichomoniasis manifests itself to a greater extent in women. Symptoms may include the following:
- Strong foamy vaginal discharge, with a greenish tint and an unpleasant putrefactive odor.
- Itching and irritation of the clitoris, its redness.
- Unpleasant and painful sensations during urination or after sexual intercourse.
- Breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle or after sexual contact.
- Sometimes pain in the lower back and lower abdomen.
All of these symptoms may increase with the onset of menstruation. If you have at least one of them, it’s definitely impossible to talk about the presence of the disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to pass a smear and, if necessary, start treatment for trichomoniasis. In women, despite the fact that it causes a lot of inconvenience, it does not cause irreversible consequences: adhesions, inflammatory diseases and infertility, such as chlamydia. However, the mucous membrane damaged by the bacterium becomes susceptible to other, more serious infections. And in pregnant women, trichomoniasis can cause rupture of the membranes and infection of the newborn.
Trichomoniasis in women is treated with drugs that include metronidazole. As a rule, the course of taking these pills is limited to ten days. At the same time, it is very important to take immunostimulating drugs and vitamins in parallel, which will strengthen the body comprehensively. At the time of treatment, it is important to reduce the number of sexual contacts, observe the rules of barrier protection, and for greater effectiveness - treat your permanent sexual partner. This is very important, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid relapse. After the course of treatment, it is necessary to re-test for the presence of infection. And if it is positive again, pick up another complex of antibiotics, since bacteria have already developed immunity to the first. In no case do not self-medicate: only a qualified doctor should diagnose and prescribe drugs!