Trichomoniasis is quite a popular infection, which can be spread relatively quickly, and it can affect about 30% of the women who are active from the sexual point of view and 25% of men in this category. It is an infection, which can affect only genital and urinary areas. They are the urethra in the case of men, and the urethra and the vagina in the case of women.
The infection is caused by a microorganism, actually by a microscopic parasite called Trichomonas Vaginalis.
This microorganism is transmitted through vaginal sex, of course if it is not protected and it can be spread through sexual toys, which are used by more persons. It is not transmitted via oral sex but it does not mean that you must not protect yourself if this is what you want.
Other factors also should be taken into consideration. Since the parasite can survive for sometime outside its natural environment, infection could also be brought about by handling or using infected underwear.
Girls must be careful when they try on the knickers of a girl friend’s swimming suit! You should avoid towels used by several persons, who may be infected, especially in order to dry up your genital area. Actually, it is easier to prevent than to treat…
A mother can also transfer the disease to her baby, if it is a girl.
For men, the disease does not produce symptoms most of the time. Thus, it can go on unnoticed. However, this is not a good thing since this could lead to a recurring infection unless treated.
Trichomonas Vaginalis is a parasite, not a microbe or a virus, thus it is not capable of living long outside its natural environment. It could only exist outside the body for an hour or two. In fact, there is a remote possibility of contracting the disease from public bathrooms at hostels as most people are already conscious of this possibility.
Because of the wet environment, the parasite prefers to live in the vagina. Especially during periods in between menstruations, women tend to produce more secretions and this becomes an opportune time for the parasite to develop. There are also other micro-organisms found in the vagina that normally exist there.
In addition, during sexual intercourse, minor traumas may happen, causing small lesions, which are otherwise not noticeable. In men, although the urethra does not present an ideal environment for growth for the parasite, it can still live there.
The above discussions have given you a clearer picture of the disease and how the effects and symptoms vary between men and women. Young women can get the infection especially at the start of their sex activity. Signs of infection will be a lot of secretion coloured gray or greenish with a very foul odour. The infected person will also experience burning, smarting pain, itching and appearance of red areas between the legs. There will be pain during sexual intercourse to the point that you will not want to do it anymore. On top of all these conditions, another disease called inguinal adenopathy might develop.