Dear Readers,
B.T. is a 30-year-old shop attendant who lives and works in Portmore, St Catherine. B.T. recently visited her family doctor to obtain treatment for a vaginal discharge. Her doctor told her she had trichomonad infection and treated her for it. The doctor also gave her some tablets for her boyfriend to take. BT asks Lifeline if trichomonad is sexually transmitted and can it cause blocked tubes. She has never used condoms when sexually active because she just doesn't like how they feel.
Tirchomoniasis is an infection commonly occurring in the female vagina and the male urethra. It is caused by a protozoan, trichomonad vaginal. This organism is most often sexually transmitted, but not always. For example, damp surfaces such as a wet toilet seat or a damp infected towel can transmit the disease from one person to another via the damp infected object. When present, trichomonad does not always present obvious symptoms. As the organism multiplies in the vagina it causes:
Frothy greenish yellow vaginal discharge
Painful inflammation and itching of the vulva and vagina
Odorous vaginal discharge
Sexual intercourse may become painful
Burning may be experienced on passing urine
Men often do not experience many symptoms. Mostly, there may be a discharge and some burning when passing urine.
Some physicians do microscopy with wet preparations in their office and can confirm the presence of trichomonas by examining a slide with the discharge. The trichomonal organism is easily identified. Otherwise a vaginal swab of the discharge can be sent if prepared medically to the lab for examination and diagnosis.
Effective treatment
Flagyl (metronidazole) and tiberal are the drugs on the market at present which are effective in treating the trichomonal infection and even if the infected persons' sexual partner has no symptoms at all, he or she should be treated also, at the same time, to prevent the infection from being passed back and forth between partners. Klion vaginal tablets which are inserted locally in the female vagina are also a useful treatment. Betadine vaginal preparations will also have some effect against trichomonal infections.
Trichomonas, although often spread sexually, does not have the same serious consequences as infections with Gonorrhea, Clamydia, Syphillis or the HIV infection. Certainly, it will not cause tubal occlusion (blocked tubes) with significant genital discomfort and should be treated as soon as possible. A doctor should be consulted for examination of the genital area as whereever one possibly sexually transmitted infection is present, other sexually transmitted infections may also be present. To prevent trichomonal infection:
Avoid multiple sex partners
Use a condom everytime with sex
Have a regular scheduled gynaecologist examination to ensure that the genitals remain healthy.
B.T. should strongly consider the regular use of condoms during intercourse for her personal health and protection.
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