Trichomoniasis - Cure and Treatment

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a single-celled protozoa known as Trichomonas vaginalis. This microscopic parasite is commonly found in the vagina of infected women and urethra of infected men. Approximately 174 million people worldwide are infected with this parasite each year. However despite being the most common curable STD globally, the infection is curable. The treatment for Trichomonasis focuses on destroying the disease-causing parasite as well as taking measures to prevent re-infection or spreading the infection to others.

1. If you have been diagnosed with Trichomoniasis, your doctor will most likely prescribe you a course of metronidazole.  Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina, stomach, skin, joints, and respiratory tract and most commonly sold under the brand name, Flagyl. You may take this as a large single dose but this would increase the risk of side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Another alternative is to take the medicine in the form of pills, twice a day for 7 days. Along with metronidazole, tinidazole is another option in this course of treatment in which case it is given by mouth as a single dose.
   
   TIP: Positive Singles specializes in dating for those with STD
    
2. However if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, instead of putting you on metronidazole, the doctor might ask you to use clotrimazole topically. Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal agent and is usually prescribed to treat yeast or fungal infections. It is available as vaginal pessaries under the names Gyne-Lotrimin and Mycelex-7. The medicine is inserted
   into the vagina at night for 14 days. Though this will decrease symptoms, the cure rate is only 20%.
    
3. An important aspect of Trichomoniasis treatment involves simultaneous treatment of a sexual partner as well. The symptoms of trichomoniasis in infected men may disappear within a few weeks without treatment. However, an infected man, even if he has never had symptoms or whose symptoms have stopped, can continue to infect or re-infect a female partner until he has been treated. Therefore, both partners should be treated at the same time to eliminate the parasite. Persons being treated for trichomoniasis should avoid sex until they and their sex partners complete treatment and have no symptoms.
    
4. While undergoing treatment for trichomoniasis, it is important to follow a recommended diet. Though no food or drink can help cure the infection, certain items like fresh fruits and vegetables may help to strengthen the immune system and overcome the disease quicker. Foods particularly rich in Vitamin C and E like oranges, papayas, red peppers, mangos, wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and hazelnuts may be useful in this regard. Also if you are taking a course of metronidazole, it is important to avoid alcohol since the combination of the two may lead to dangerous abdominal cramps.

Alternative therapies have caught the attention of many people in recent times because of the purported lack of side effects which in case of allopathic medications can be quite strong. According to proponents of natural therapies, the following methods can help to alleviate symptoms of trichomoniasis.
 

1. Lying in a warm bath once a day and applying natural douches may lessen the irritable symptoms of trichomoniasis. A Vinegar douche can be made by adding one teaspoon vinegar to one quart warm water. Likewise a live-culture yoghurt douche or a solution of Lactobacillus acidophilus can also prove helpful.
    
2. To increase parasite-killing activity, one may add the juice of one lemon to either of the above douches.
    
3. According to aromatherapy, oil of bergamot known by its scientific name Citrus aurantium var bergamia, may help dry up irritating discharge. It can be used in douches or added to bath water.
    
4. According to some practitioners of natural therapy, tea tree oil in the form of topical treatment, offers antibacterial and antifungal results. However, only a qualified naturopath or herbalist can advise you on the correct way to apply a vaginal douche consisting of diluted tea tree oil. You may also explore the possibilities of inserting a tampon into the vagina that has been saturated in 1 part tea tree oil and 2 parts vitamin E oil.

The important thing to remember while pursuing alternative therapies is that none of them have been proven as certain cure for trichomoniasis under scientific studies. Adopting natural therapies thus should never substitute for medical treatment since even though certain natural remedies may bring about a temporary relief in symptoms, an infected person will continue to harbor the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite in the body. Such a person thus not only stands the risk of breaking out in symptoms again but more importantly will continue to infect other people through unprotected sex. According to scientific research, the only effective way to destroy the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite is through antibiotics.

Another essential aspect of Trichomoniasis treatment involves the prevention of this infection. Unlike many viral infections which once contracted offers a lifelong immunity, you can be cured of one bout of Trichomoniasis but contract it again. The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. If this is not possible, it is essential that you practice safe sex like using latex male condoms in the correct manner. Also it is a good idea to wash up before and after every episode of sexual intercourse. Since trichomoniasis has been known to spread through non-sexual routes as well, you should avoid using sex toys, towels, washcloths, swimsuits that have been used by others. When using public swimming pool, make sure you have a thorough shower afterwards.

Finally any genital symptom such as discharge or burning during urination or an unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to consult a health care provider immediately.  A person diagnosed with trichomoniasis, or any other STD for that matter, should receive prompt treatment and should notify all recent sex partners so that they can see a health care provider and be treated. Sex should be discontinued until the person with trichomoniasis and all of his/her recent partners complete treatment for trichomoniasis and are confirmed symptom-free.