Sexual health
Medicines for Trichomoniasis
A sexually transmitted infection caused by a tiny parasite, causing discharge and irritation though often symptomless — easily treated with antibiotics.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis ("trich") is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a tiny parasite, passed on through unprotected vaginal sex. Many people have no symptoms.
- How it is treated: Trichomoniasis is diagnosed with a swab or urine test and is easily treated with a course of antibiotics.
- Self-care: Using condoms, ensuring partners are tested and treated together, completing treatment before resuming sex, and regular sexual health checks all help prevent trichomoniasis and reinfection.
- When to seek help: Visit a sexual health clinic or GP for a change in discharge, genital soreness or itching, or discomfort passing urine, so it can be tested for and treated.
What it is
Trichomoniasis ("trich") is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a tiny parasite, passed on through unprotected vaginal sex. Many people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, women may notice a change in vaginal discharge (which can be frothy, yellow-green and have an unpleasant smell), soreness, itching and discomfort passing urine or during sex; men may have discharge, irritation or pain passing urine, though they often have no symptoms. Because the symptoms overlap with other conditions, testing is needed to confirm it. Untreated, it can increase the risk of catching other STIs and can cause problems in pregnancy, so it is worth diagnosing and treating.
How it is treated
Trichomoniasis is diagnosed with a swab or urine test and is easily treated with a course of antibiotics. As with other STIs, recent sexual partners should be tested and treated at the same time to prevent reinfection, and sex avoided until everyone has completed treatment. Testing and treatment are free and confidential at sexual health clinics. Using condoms reduces the risk of catching or passing it on. Because trichomoniasis can occur alongside other STIs, a full sexual health check is often offered at the same time.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Trichomoniasis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Using condoms, ensuring partners are tested and treated together, completing treatment before resuming sex, and regular sexual health checks all help prevent trichomoniasis and reinfection.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Visit a sexual health clinic or GP for a change in discharge, genital soreness or itching, or discomfort passing urine, so it can be tested for and treated. Testing is free and confidential.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Trichomoniasis: frequently asked questions
How is trichomoniasis treated?
With a course of antibiotics. Recent partners should be tested and treated at the same time to prevent reinfection, and sex avoided until treatment is complete.
Can you have trichomoniasis without symptoms?
Yes, many people — particularly men — have no symptoms, which is why testing is important. Untreated, it can increase the risk of other STIs and cause problems in pregnancy.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Trichomoniasis
- BASHH — Trichomoniasis guidance
Related conditions
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.