What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis (also known as "trich") is a fairly common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that's caused by a microscopic parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Opens a new window estimates that 2.6 million people in the United States have trichomoniasis.
How can trichomoniasis affect my pregnancy?
A trich infection during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of:
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Trichomoniasis can also make you more susceptible to HIV if you're exposed to it.
Trich is not associated with miscarriage, says Layan Alrahmani, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, clinical faculty and assistant professor at Loyola University in Chicago, and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.
"But it can increase the risk for early delivery later in the pregnancy," Dr. Alrahmani says.
It's possible for your baby to become infected with the trich parasite during delivery, but that happens very rarely. In most cases, babies who contract trich without symptoms won't need treatment; their infection will resolve on its own. Babies with symptoms – such as fever, respiratory problems, urinary tract infection, nasal discharge, and (in girls) vaginal discharge – can be treated with antibiotics.
What are trichomoniasis symptoms?
Most people with trich have no symptoms, but possible symptoms include:
- A yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge, often with a frothy appearance and an unpleasant odor
- A red, irritated, or itchy vagina and vulva
- Discomfort while urinating or during intercourse
- Some spotting after intercourse
- Lower abdominal discomfort (less commonly)
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Symptoms could start soon after you become infected or show up much later. So if you've just been diagnosed with trich, it doesn't necessarily mean that you recently contracted it.
If you do have symptoms, let your practitioner know so you can be tested for trich and other possible culprits. To test for trichomoniasis, your practitioner will take a swab of vaginal fluid and examine it under a microscope. They may also send a sample to the lab for a more sensitive test.
Will I be screened for trichomoniasis during pregnancy?
Unless you have symptoms, you won't be tested for trich.
There's no evidence that treating trich lowers your risk of complications if you don't have any symptoms. For this reason, only women with bothersome symptoms are tested and treated for trich during pregnancy.
How is trichomoniasis treated during pregnancy?
If you have bothersome symptoms and are diagnosed with trich, you'll be given a course of oral metronidazole, which is generally considered safe for the baby during pregnancy. Your partner should be treated at the same time, whether or not they have symptoms (most men may not).
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You'll need to abstain from sexual intercourse until you've both finished the treatment and are symptom-free (otherwise, you risk being reinfected). You'll both need to refrain from drinking alcohol during treatment and for 24 hours following the last dose. (Women are advised to avoid alcohol during pregnancy anyway).
How can I avoid getting trichomoniasis?
Have sex only with a partner who has sex only with you. If this isn't the case, using condoms reduces the risk of transmission of trichomoniasis and most other STIs.
Trichomoniasis isn't the only infection that can affect your pregnancy and your baby. Our article on infections during pregnancy outlines some of the other infections (including other STIs) that can affect a pregnancy.
Learn more:
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