Trichomoniasis (the second name is trichomoniasis) is an infection that causes inflammation of the organs of the genitourinary system. Its clinical manifestations will differ depending on the gender of the patient. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in women (discharge, itching, etc.) are usually more pronounced. Men are more often latent carriers of the parasite.
It is worth considering in more detail what is trichomoniasis in women, symptoms, causes and treatment of the disease.
Pathogen
Before learning about the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women, it is worth learning in more detail about the nature of the disease itself. The cause of its occurrence is Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomonas vaginalis). This asexual unicellular parasite is widely distributed in nature and multiplies very quickly at a temperature of 35-37 degrees. Due to the presence of flagella, it is very mobile.
In addition to trichomonas vaginalis, which causes symptoms of trichomoniasis in women, there are other types of parasite: intestinal and oral. But they are much less active and affect the body much less often.human.
Parasites are easily fixed in the cells of the mucous membrane and provoke the occurrence of an inflammatory process. And the products of their vital activity poison the body and significantly reduce immunity.
Trichomonas can live not only on the mucous membrane, but also in other organs of the genitourinary system, as well as in the bloodstream. This type of parasite is perfectly adapted to life inside the human body. They can even change shape and masquerade as lymphocytes or platelets. It is because of this that often there are difficulties in diagnosing trichomoniasis, and the symptoms of this disease in women are perceived as signs of any other diseases of the genitourinary system.
Disease classification
Depending on the time that has passed since infection, and the nature of the course of the disease, trichomoniasis is divided into three types:
- Torpid. No more than two months have passed since the infection.
- Chronic. More than two months have passed since the first symptoms of trichomoniasis appeared in a woman, or signs of the disease were not noticed in a timely manner.
- Latent. There are no signs of trichomoniasis in women. Symptoms of the disease may appear in her partner after unprotected intercourse. This is explained by the fact that a woman, even without knowing it herself, is a carrier of the pathogen.
It is important to know how to identify the first signs of trichomoniasis in women. We will pay special attention to the symptoms and causes of the appearance of a dangerous disease.
Methods of transmission of trichomoniasis
The main cause ofsymptoms of trichomoniasis in women is unprotected intercourse with an infected partner. Some venereologists are of the opinion that during anal and oral sex, the likelihood of infection is much less than during traditional lovemaking, but this version has not yet been proven empirically.
Trichomonas can also be transmitted through the biological fluids of the carrier: blood, saliva, semen. Based on this, the cause of the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women can be a simple kiss!
Very small, but still there is a possibility of infection by contact and household. This happens during the use of washcloths, towels, underwear and other personal belongings of the patient. Considering that Trichomonas in a warm, humid environment can remain alive for several hours, we can conclude that there is a slight risk of infection while visiting the pool, using the same toilet bowl and bathroom with the patient.
Risk group
In most cases, trichomoniasis affects women between the ages of 16 and 35.
You can identify the so-called risk group. Includes:
- People who have genital diseases (eg thrush) or sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea);
- sexually active women who do not use barrier contraception (condoms);
- smokers.
The latter is explained by experts by the fact that against the background of exposure to nicotine, the rate of reproduction of Trichomonas increases inseveral times.
It is also worth remembering one important detail: protective antibodies against trichomoniasis are not produced in the body. Therefore, the probability of infection from an infected partner will be the same for everyone. In addition, if a person has ever had trichomoniasis, he is also at risk. This is due to the fact that if the disease was not previously completely and correctly cured, it can be present in the body in a latent form for a long time. And then, when the slightest prerequisites for this appear, they again make themselves felt. Factors that can provoke an exacerbation of latent trichomoniasis are hormonal disorders (including during menopause, after childbirth, during breastfeeding), violations of the vaginal microflora, decreased immunity, and various diseases.
Now it's time to look at the symptoms and treatment of trichomoniasis in women. Photos for illustrative examples will also be provided.
Symptoms of disease
The first symptoms of trichomoniasis in women begin to be observed at the end of the incubation period. Usually its duration is from 2 days to 4 weeks. In some cases, the period is extended up to 2 months. During the incubation period, there is an active reproduction of Trichomonas in the body of a woman. She is not yet aware of her illness, but is already a carrier of the parasite and can infect others.
The first signs (symptoms) of trichomoniasis in women appear as vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis, colpitis, proctitis. At this stage, the diseasecan be easily confused with normal inflammatory processes.
So how does trichomoniasis manifest itself in women? Symptoms may include:
- Swelling and redness of the perineum. This is one of the first symptoms (signs) of trichomoniasis in women. The mucous membrane of the vagina is irritated, its surface becomes grainy and may begin to bleed.
- Dermatitis of the inner thighs.
- Itching and burning in the genital area.
- Changing the nature of the selection. They become more abundant, foamy, have an unpleasant odor and a yellow-green color. More information about this symptom of trichomoniasis in women and photos of the discharge can be found in the specialized literature.
- More frequent urination with cutting pain.
- Discomfort during intercourse.
- Drawing pains in the lower abdomen and back (a rarer phenomenon compared to others).
As a rule, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves more strongly before the onset of menstruation.
When specific symptoms of trichomoniasis appear in women (photos of discharge, we recall, can be viewed on sites specializing in sexually transmitted diseases), it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, it threatens the development of various complications.
Only 10% of women have trichomoniasis alone. In all other cases, other sexually transmitted diseases are “connected” to it: gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, etc. This phenomenon is explained by greatly reduced immunity and inflammatoryprocesses caused by trichomoniasis.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the disease is accompanied by a violation of the microflora of the vagina. The number of pathogens increases very quickly, while lactic acid bacteria become less. The number of various fungi, staphylococci, enterococci is also growing. All this prevents the rapid diagnosis and treatment of trichomoniasis.
Diagnosis of disease
Diagnosis begins with a patient interview and an external examination. A gynecologist or venereologist pays attention to the vagina and vulva. In the presence of the disease, their hyperemia and swelling will be observed.
Another of the main symptoms of trichomoniasis in women (the photo below serves as an illustrative example) is a change in the vaginal mucosa. With the help of colposcopy, a specialist can check for redness, pinpoint or focal hemorrhages on the cervix.
On the basis of only the first signs (symptoms) of trichomoniasis in women, treatment is not prescribed. It is mandatory to conduct one or more laboratory diagnostic methods. These could be:
- microscopy of smears from the urethra and vagina;
- inoculation of pathological material;
- PCR diagnostics (helps identify the pathogen);
- immunological method.
In many clinical laboratories there are other, faster tests. For example, nucleic acid amplification and rapid antigen testing.
Based on resultsexamination and examinations, the specialist diagnoses and prescribes treatment.
Treatment of disease
Gynecologists, venereologists and urologists treat trichomoniasis. It must be started immediately after the first symptoms of the disease were detected and the diagnosis was confirmed.
It is worth noting that the treatment will be effective only when both partners undergo it at once (regardless of the presence or absence of signs of trichomoniasis in the second of them). Otherwise, there is a high probability of re-infection.
It was previously mentioned that trichomoniasis is often combined with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, in parallel, it will be necessary to get rid of them.
For the treatment of trichomoniasis, medications from several groups are used simultaneously:
- 5-nitroimidazoles. These antimicrobials are distinguished by their selective activity. They begin to act on the causative agent of the disease only after they are transformed in it. The most popular drugs from this group are: Metronidazole, Ornidazole, Tinidazole, Seknidazole.
- Probiotics. Necessary to restore the intestinal microflora, which is disturbed as a result of taking potent antibiotics from the previous paragraph. As an example, we can recall such probiotics as Bifidumbacterin, Hilak, Lineks.
- To eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of trichomoniasis, topical agents are used. For example, it can be antifungal vaginal suppositories ("Macmiror", "Saflab", "Osarbon"), as well as various ointments ("Metrogil").
- In order to protect the patient from infectious diseases, he is prescribed nalidixic acid preparations.
- Multivitamins. They have nothing to do with the treatment of the disease itself. But often they are prescribed as one of the components in general therapy to improve the general condition.
The chronic stage of trichomoniasis is treated in exactly the same way. The only difference is that in this case there is a need to take more immunomodulatory and immunostimulating agents.
Important! Incorrect use of 5-nitroimidazoles can lead to the fact that Trichomonas develop resistance to the components of these drugs. Moreover, they will begin to multiply much more actively, go into a more aggressive form, and the disease will take on atypical or latent forms. Therefore, it is very important to follow all the doctor's advice, do not change the dosage of medications and in no case self-medicate!
It is necessary to refrain from sexual intercourse for the entire period of treatment and another week after its completion. In cases where for some reason this is not possible, it is imperative to use condoms.
Drugs that are used to get rid of trichomoniasis are incompatible with alcohol. Therefore, it is important to give up any alcoholic beverages.
Treatment usuallylasts at least 5 days. At the end of it, the woman needs to retake a smear to identify causative agents of trichomoniasis. Their absence indicates a complete recovery, but many doctors advise a re-examination after the end of the next menstruation.
Some doctors, along with drug treatment, advise using folk remedies. It is known that honey perfectly strengthens the immune system, fights many types of microbes and infections, including venereal ones. And garlic contains selenium and phytoncides. The latter have a powerful antibiotic and antiviral effect. It is recommended to take garlic tincture orally at 20 drops per day.
Folk remedies can only be used in combination with drug treatment and in no case should replace it!
Possible Complications
Complete lack of therapy or incorrectly prescribed treatment can lead to a chronic course of trichomoniasis. Against the background of the disease, cases of colpitis, urethritis, vulvovaginitis, candidiasis and other ailments will become more frequent.
The quality of life of a sick woman will noticeably worsen as a result. She may experience irregularities in the course of the menstrual cycle and sexual functions. Significantly increases the risk of infertility.
Many experts believe that Trichomonas can contribute to the development of cancer (in particular, cervical cancer), mastopathy, erosion, diabetes, allergies.
Trichomoniasis during pregnancy
It is immediately worth noting that trichomoniasis is not a bigdanger to the fetus, since Trichomonas are not able to cross the placenta. The risk of infection of the unborn baby appears only in those cases when other venereal diseases join this disease.
Some gynecologists scare expectant mothers with the fact that trichomoniasis can lead to stillbirth or miscarriage, but this is not so! Such dire consequences are possible only in cases where a pregnant woman has other mixed sexual infections, moreover, at advanced stages.
But what you really should be afraid of is diseases that can occur against the background of weakened local immunity:
- endometritis;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- pelvioperitonitis.
In order to avoid negative consequences, it is important to detect the first symptoms (signs) of trichomoniasis in a woman in time. The photo below shows a completely he althy baby, who is no different from other babies.
If a pregnant woman ignores the symptoms of the disease and refuses treatment, her baby can become infected during passage through the genital tract during childbirth. Of course, it is better to undergo timely treatment than to expose the baby to possible danger.
In newborns, trichomoniasis occurs in an acute form and is manifested by foamy discharge from the genital organs, reddening of the mucous membrane. Due to a sharp decrease in the already fragile immunity, inflammation of the lungs, purulent tonsillitis may occur. Also, trichomoniasis can lead to pathologies of organs such as mucousvagina, lungs, perineal skin, conjunctiva and cornea, anus, tonsils. In the event of complications, a fatal outcome is not excluded.
As for the treatment of trichomoniasis during pregnancy, there are also some special nuances. If the disease was detected in the first trimester, the gynecologist will prescribe only drugs for topical use. These can be suppositories ("Terzhinan", "Betadine", "Ginezol", "Polygynax", "Clotrimazole") or medicinal solutions for douching.
In the second and third trimesters, the use of imidazole derivatives is allowed: Atrikan, Ornidazole, Metronidazole, Naxojin, Tinidazole.
Usually prescribed the minimum dosage of drugs and the shortest possible duration of treatment, which takes place under the supervision of a physician.
Vaccination against trichomoniasis
Today, there is a special vaccine that is designed to increase the immunity of women who are carriers of Trichomonas. Its name is "Solkotrikhovak".
This is a Swiss vaccine that contributes to the speedy restoration of the normal microflora of the vagina. It is usually well tolerated and does not cause side effects. Only in rare cases does vaccination cause pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, or a short-term fever, fatigue, headache, chills.
"Solkotrihovak" is administered intramuscularly. Vaccination is carried outtwice with an interval of 2 weeks. The effect of the drug persists for one year. At the end of the procedure, you can repeat.
Vaccination with "Solkotrikhovak" is prohibited if a woman has:
- acute infectious diseases;
- active tuberculosis;
- diseases of the heart, kidneys, circulatory system;
- primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
- hypersensitivity to the constituent components of the drug.
With extreme caution, the remedy is prescribed to pregnant and lactating women. The drug is not used to vaccinate children under the age of 15.
Important! Vaccination does not guarantee 100% protection against trichomoniasis.
Disease prevention
Based on the foregoing, it is easy to conclude that the main measure for the prevention of trichomoniasis is to streamline your sex life. It is best if a woman has only one partner in whose he alth she is completely sure.
It is worth giving up casual sex with unfamiliar men. In extreme cases, do not forget about barrier methods of contraception (condoms). It is also possible to use disinfectant solutions after intercourse (for example, "Chlorhexidine"), but this method does not provide a 100% guarantee of protection.
It is equally important to monitor the state of your "women's" he alth, do not forget about regular preventive examinations at the gynecologist and timely treatment of all genitourinarydiseases.
And finally: mutual fidelity to your chosen one is the main preventive measure not only for trichomoniasis, but also for other sexually transmitted diseases.
