Trichomoniasis (the second name is trichomoniasis) is an infection that causes inflammation of the genitourinary system. Its clinical manifestations will vary depending on the patient’s gender. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in women (discharge, itching, etc.) are usually more pronounced. Men are more often hidden carriers of the parasite.
It is worth considering in more detail what trichomoniasis in women is, symptoms, causes and treatment of the disease.
Causative agent of the disease
Before you learn about the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women, it is worthwhile to learn more about the nature of the disease itself. The cause of its occurrence is Trichomonas vaginal (Trichomonas vaginalis). This asexual unicellular parasite is widespread in nature and multiplies very quickly at a temperature of 35-37 degrees. Due to the presence of flagella, it is very mobile.
In addition to vaginal trichomonas, which causes the onset of symptoms of trichomoniasis in women, there are other types of parasite: intestinal and oral. But they are much less active and much less likely to affect the human body.
Parasites are easily fixed in the cells of the mucous membrane and provoke the onset of the inflammatory process. And the products of their vital activity poison the body and significantly reduce immunity.
Trichomonads can live not only on the mucous membrane, but also in other organs of the genitourinary system, as well as in the bloodstream. This type of parasite is perfectly adapted to life inside the human body. They can even change their shape and disguise themselves as lymphocytes or platelets. It is because of this that difficulties often arise in the diagnosis of trichomoniasis, and the symptoms of this disease in women are perceived as signs of any other diseases of the genitourinary system.
Disease classification
Depending on the time that has passed after infection, and the nature of the course of the disease, trichomoniasis is divided into three types:
- Torpid. After infection, no more than two months have passed.
- Chronic. Since the onset of the first symptoms of trichomoniasis in a woman, more than two months have passed or the signs of the disease were not noticed in a timely manner.
- Latent. There are no signs of trichomoniasis in women. Symptoms of the disease may occur in her partner after unprotected intercourse. This is explained by the fact that a woman, even without suspecting it, is a carrier of the pathogen.
It is important to know how to identify the first signs of trichomoniasis in women. We will pay special attention to the symptoms and causes of a dangerous ailment.
Methods of transmitting trichomoniasis
The main cause of the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women is unprotected intercourse with an infected partner. Some venereologists are of the opinion that during anal and oral caresses, the likelihood of infection is much less than with traditional lovemaking, but this version has not yet been proven empirically.
Trichomonads can also be transmitted through the body’s biological fluids: blood, saliva, semen. Based on this, the usual kiss can cause the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women!
Very small, but still there is a chance of infection and contact-household way. This happens when using a washcloth, towels, underwear and other personal items of the patient. Considering that trichomonads in a warm, humid environment can maintain their activity for several hours, we can conclude that there is a slight risk of infection when visiting the pool, using the same toilet bowl and bathroom together with the patient.
Risk group
In most cases, trichomoniasis affects women aged 16 to 35 years.
We can distinguish the so-called risk group. It includes:
- people who have genital diseases (such as thrush) or sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea);
- sexually active women who do not use barrier contraceptives (condoms);
- smokers.
Experts explain the latter by the fact that against the background of exposure to nicotine, the rate of reproduction of Trichomonas increases several times.
It is also worth remembering one important detail: protective antibodies against trichomoniasis are not produced in the body. Therefore, the probability of infection from an infected partner will be the same for everyone. In addition, if a person once suffered from trichomoniasis, he is also at risk. This is due to the fact that if the disease was not completely and correctly cured before, it can be present in the body in a latent form for a long time. And then, with the appearance of the slightest prerequisites for this, again make itself felt. Factors that can trigger an exacerbation of latent trichomoniasis are hormonal disorders (including during menopause, after childbirth, during breastfeeding), disturbances in the vaginal microflora, decreased immunity, and various diseases.
Now it's time to consider the symptoms and treatment of trichomoniasis in women. Photos for illustrative purposes will also be provided.
Symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of trichomoniasis in women begin to be observed at the end of the incubation period. Usually its duration is from 2 days to 4 weeks. In some cases, the period is extended up to 2 months. During the incubation period, Trichomonas actively multiplies in the woman's body. She does not yet know about her disease, but she is already a carrier of the parasite and can infect others.
The first signs (symptoms) of trichomoniasis in women are manifested in the form of vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis, colpitis, proctitis. At this stage, the disease can be easily confused with the usual inflammatory processes.
So how does trichomoniasis appear in women? Symptoms may include:
- Swelling and redness of the perineum. This is one of the first symptoms (signs) of trichomoniasis in women. In this case, the vaginal mucosa is irritated, its surface becomes granular and may begin to bleed.
- Dermatitis of the inner thighs.
- Itching and burning in the genital area.
- Change the nature of the discharge. They become more abundant, foam, have an unpleasant odor and a yellow-green color. More information about this symptom of trichomoniasis in women and photo secretions can be found in the specialized literature.
- More frequent urination, which is accompanied by cutting pain.
- Discomfort during intercourse.
- Drawing pains in the lower abdomen and back (more rare, in comparison with the rest, the phenomenon).
As a rule, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves before the onset of menstruation.
When specific symptoms of trichomoniasis appear in women (photos of secretions, recall, can be viewed on sites specializing in sexually transmitted diseases), it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, it threatens the development of various complications.
Only in 10% of women trichomoniasis occurs alone. In all other cases, other venereal diseases “connect” to it: gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, etc. This phenomenon is explained by a greatly reduced immunity and inflammatory processes caused by trichomoniasis.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the disease is accompanied by a violation of the vaginal microflora. The number of pathogens is growing rapidly, while lactic acid bacteria are becoming smaller. The number of various mushrooms, staphylococci, enterococci is also growing. All this interferes with the rapid diagnosis and treatment of trichomoniasis.
Diagnosis of the disease
Diagnosis begins with a survey of the patient and an external examination. Gynecologist or venereologist pay attention to the vagina and vulva. If there is a disease, their hyperemia and swelling will be observed.
Another of the main symptoms of trichomoniasis in women (the photo below serves as a good example) is a change in the vaginal mucosa. Using colposcopy, a specialist can check for redness, pinpoint or focal hemorrhages on her cervix.
Based on only the first signs (symptoms) of trichomoniasis in women, treatment is not prescribed. Be sure to carry out one or more laboratory diagnostic methods. It can be:
- microscopy of smears from the urethra and vagina;
- sowing pathological material;
- PCR diagnostics (helps to identify the pathogen);
- immunological method.
Many clinical laboratories have other, faster tests. For example, amplification of nucleic acids and rapid antigen test.
Based on the results of the examination and examinations, the specialist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
Disease treatment
Gynecologists, venereologists and urologists are involved in the treatment of trichomoniasis. It must be started immediately after the first symptoms of the disease have been detected and the diagnosis confirmed.
It is worth noting that the treatment will be effective only when both partners will take it at once (regardless of the presence or absence of signs of trichomoniasis in the second of them). Otherwise, there is a high probability of reinfection.
It has already been mentioned that trichomoniasis is often combined with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, in parallel, it will be necessary to get rid of them.
For the treatment of trichomoniasis, medications are simultaneously used from several groups:
- 5-nitroimidazoles. These antimicrobial agents are distinguished by their selective activity. They begin to affect the causative agent of the disease only after they are transformed in it. The most popular drugs from this group are: Metronidazole, Ornidazole, Tinidazole, Secnidazole.
- Probiotics They are necessary for the restoration of intestinal microflora, which is disturbed as a result of taking the potent antibiotics from the previous paragraph. As an example, we can recall probiotics such as Bifidumbacterin, Hilak, Linex.
- To eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of trichomoniasis, topical agents are used. For example, it can be antifungal vaginal suppositories (Macmirror, Saflab, Osarbon), as well as various ointments (Metrogil).
- In order to protect the patient from infectious diseases, he is prescribed nalidixic acid preparations.
- Multivitamins. Directly to the treatment of the disease itself, they have nothing to do. But often they are prescribed as one of their components in general therapy to improve the general condition.
The chronic stage of trichomoniasis is treated exactly the same. The only difference is that in this case there is a need for taking more immunomodulatory and immunostimulating agents.
Important! Improper use of 5-nitroimidazoles can lead to the fact that trichomonads develop resistance to the components of these drugs. Moreover, they will begin to multiply much more actively, will move to a more aggressive form, and the disease will take an atypical or latent form. Therefore, it is very important to follow all the advice of a doctor, do not change the dosage of drugs and in no case do self-medication!
It is necessary to abandon sexual contacts for the entire period of treatment and another week after its completion. In cases where for some reason it is impossible to do this, you must use condoms.
Drugs that are used to get rid of trichomoniasis are incompatible with alcohol. Therefore, it is important to give up any alcoholic beverages.
The course of treatment usually lasts at least 5 days. At its end, a woman needs to re-take a smear to identify the causative agents of trichomoniasis. Their absence indicates a complete recovery, however, many doctors advise to undergo a re-examination after the end of the next menstruation.
Some doctors, along with drug treatment, recommend using folk remedies. It is known that honey perfectly strengthens the immune system, fights with many types of microbes and infections, including sexually transmitted ones. And garlic contains selenium and volatile. The latter have a powerful antibiotic and antiviral effect. It is recommended to take the tincture of garlic orally at 20 drops per day.
Folk remedies can only be used in combination with drug treatment and in no case should replace it!
Possible complications
A complete lack of therapy or improperly prescribed treatment can lead to a chronic course of trichomoniasis. Against the background of the disease, cases of colpitis, urethritis, vulvovaginitis, candidiasis and other ailments become more frequent.
The quality of life of a sick woman will noticeably worsen as a result. She may experience irregularities during the menstrual cycle and sexual functions. Significantly increases the risk of infertility.
Many experts believe that Trichomonas can contribute to the development of cancer (in particular, cervical cancer), mastopathy, erosion, diabetes, allergies.
Trichomoniasis during pregnancy
It is immediately worth noting that trichomoniasis does not pose a great danger to the fetus, since trichomonads are not able to penetrate the placenta. The risk of infection of the unborn baby appears only in those cases when other sexually transmitted diseases join this ailment.
Some gynecologists scare expectant mothers with the fact that trichomoniasis can lead to stillbirth or miscarriage, but this is not so! Such terrible consequences are possible only in cases where the pregnant woman has other mixed genital infections, moreover, in advanced stages.
But what really should be feared is diseases that can occur against the background of weakened local immunity:
- endometritis;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- pelvioperitonitis.
In order to avoid negative consequences, it is important to detect the first symptoms (signs) of trichomoniasis in a woman in time. The photo below depicts a completely healthy baby who is no different from other babies.
If a pregnant woman ignores the symptoms of the disease and refuses treatment, her child may become infected during passage through the genital tract during childbirth. Of course, it is better to undergo timely treatment than to expose the baby to possible danger.
In newborns, trichomoniasis proceeds in an acute form and is manifested by foamy discharge from the genitals, redness of the mucosa. Due to a sharp decrease in immature immunity, the occurrence of pneumonia, purulent tonsillitis is possible. Trichomoniasis can also lead to pathologies of organs such as the vaginal mucosa, lungs, perineal skin, conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, anal passage, tonsils. In case of complications, a fatal outcome is not excluded.
As for the treatment of trichomoniasis during pregnancy, there are also some special nuances here. If the disease was detected in the first trimester, the gynecologist will prescribe only topical preparations. It can be suppositories (Terzhinan, Betadin, Ginezol, Polygynax, Clotrimazole) or therapeutic solutions for douching.
In the second and third trimesters, the use of imidazole derivatives is allowed: "Atrikan", "Ornidazole", "Metronidazole", "Naxojin", "Tinidazole".
Usually prescribe the minimum dosage of drugs and the shortest possible duration of treatment, which takes place under the supervision of a doctor.
Trichomoniasis vaccination
To date, there is a special vaccine that is designed to increase the immunity of women who are carriers of Trichomonas. Its name is Solkotrikhovak.
This is a Swiss vaccine that promotes the speedy restoration of normal vaginal microflora. Usually it is easily tolerated and does not cause side effects. Only in rare cases, vaccination causes pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, or a short-term increase in temperature, increased fatigue, headache, and chills.
"Solkotrikhovak" is administered intramuscularly. Vaccination is carried out twice with an interval of 2 weeks. The effect of the drug lasts for one year. At its end, the procedure can be repeated.
The Solkotrichovac vaccination is prohibited if a woman has:
- acute infectious diseases;
- active tuberculosis;
- diseases of the heart, kidneys, circulatory system;
- primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
With extreme caution, the drug is prescribed for pregnant and breast-feeding women. The drug is not used to vaccinate children until they reach the age of 15.
Important! Vaccination does not guarantee 100% protection against trichomoniasis.
Disease prevention
Based on the foregoing, it is not difficult to conclude that the main measure of the prevention of trichomoniasis is to streamline your sexual life. , , .
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