Sexually transmitted disease, or STDs, can lead to lifelong health issues. You can contract disease from your sexual partner, and the causes are plentiful: viruses, yeast, bacteria and parasites. These can all lead to a sexually transmitted disease.
There are over 20 STDs that you need to be worried about.
And while most people have heard of chlamydia, gonorrhea, AIDs, syphilis and herpes, few people have heard of Trichomoniasis.
If you haven’t been tested for Trichomoniasis, you may be suffering from a disease you didn’t even know existed.
What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is an STD that is caused by a parasite. While many people have this disease, most people don’t suffer from any symptoms. Those that do have symptoms will normally experience them within 5 to 28 days of contracting the infection.
Symptoms of Trichomoniasis
If you’re one of the unlucky people to suffer from symptoms, you’re either a woman or one of the few men who experience symptoms. Women can get vaginitis from Trichomoniasis, and the symptoms women will experience include:
- Vaginal odor
- Itching or irritation of the vagina
- Discomfort or pain
- Gray or yellow discharge
- Pain when urinating
Women who are having any of these symptoms will want to consult with a medical professional to ensure that the underlying issues addressed with medication.
Men who do have symptoms, and most don’t, will suffer from pain or difficulty when urinating or ejaculating. White-colored discharge will also be present.
Trichomoniasis in men and women in the United States stands at 3.7 million people, according to the CDC.
And the key risks of contracting this disease are:
- Pregnant women risk pre-term delivery.
- Delivered babies risk a much lower birth weight.
- Risks of HIV contraction and spreading are increased.
Women can still get this disease without having sex.
Can You Get Trichomoniasis Without Having Sex?
Yes. Women who have not had intercourse have contracted Trichomoniasis. Women have the following chance of getting this STD without intercourse:
- 1% with no history of intercourse
- 2% for women that are pregnant
- 1% for women that have been pregnant
Statistically, African American women have a 13.3% prevalence of Trichomoniasis, while white women have just a 1.3% prevalence of Trichomoniasis in the United States. As a person ages, the risk of contracting the disease increases significantly. This increase in risk and contraction rate may correlate to the increase in sexual partners as a person ages.
Can You Get Trichomoniasis From a Toilet Seat?
A lot of men question whether their partners, who they believe have been faithful, have been unfaithful because they have contracted Trichomoniasis. But are these claims founded on truth?
Not always.
There have been studies that show this disease can be caused by:
- Towels
- Toilet seats
- Swimming pools
There were cases of this disease occurring in Zambia in adolescent girls. Researchers found that the cause of the sexually transmitted disease was sharing bath water.
Of course, you can also get this disease from:
- Oral sex
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
This is a rare disease in the fact that it can be spread from a man to a woman without the man needing to ejaculate. You can also contract this disease from another women – if you are a woman – without needing to have any penetration to contract the parasite.
So, to answer the question: Yes, you can get Trichomoniasis from a toilet seat.
Testing for Trichomoniasis
Testing for Trichomoniasis is the only surefire way to help slow the spread of the disease and to seek treatment. You can even get tested for this parasite in the comfort of your home. There are two main tests that we recommend to test for Trichomoniasis at home:
- HealthLabs – A great, private way to test for this disease. You will test through a simple urine sample that is done in the privacy of your own home. This is a quick, affordable test that will tell you your current STD status.
- Private iDNA – Another leading test that is different for men and women. The kit detects three main STDs rather than just one: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis. While this test is slightly more expensive, it does provide two additional test results for serious STDs.
You can get routine tests every year, but if you have been with new partners or you’ve been experiencing potential symptoms of Trichomoniasis, it’s a wise choice to get tested.
Testing is the first step in curing your problem.
Treating Trichomoniasis
Many women mistake Trichomoniasis for a urinary tract infection, and this is not the case. Proper testing leads men and women on the right track for treatment. If you have tested negative for this disease, condoms will provide some protection against infection.
Tests can also be false negative since the incubation period varies from person-to-person and can be anywhere from 5 to 28 days.
The good news is that this disease can be cured.
All you need is a single dose of antibiotic medication. You’ll receive one of two main antibiotics, depending on your doctor and diagnosis:
- Tinidazole
- Metronidazole
Medication can be taken by mouth, and most pregnant women will be able to take their antibiotics without worry.
Side effects from treatments are, for the most part, only experienced by people who have drank alcohol within 24 hours of seeking treatment.
Treatment doesn’t mean that you’re 100% certain to be cured. While the majority of people will need only a single dose for treatment, others will need to seek additional treatment options. Even if you have been cured, you can contract the disease again.
Doctors recommend that you and your partner seek treatment at the same time and hold off on intercourse until all of the symptoms have disappeared.
You can easily contract Trichomoniasis again.
Statistics show that 20% of people will contract this disease again in the first 3 months after treatment. The key contributing factor to contracting the disease again is having intercourse with your partner who has yet to be properly cured of the disease.
The best advice is to wait until all of the symptoms you and your partner experience are gone. You’ll only have to wait a week or so before you can have sexual intercourse again.
Return symptoms require you to be checked for Trichomoniasis again and seek treatment again.
These are the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even women who are breastfeeding should have no issues taking metronidazole. You should not take tinidazole if you’re breastfeeding. Before taking any medication, you’ll want to discuss your condition and concerns with your doctor.
Women may have to wait 12 – 24 hours after taking their antibiotic before deciding to breastfeed again.
