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Whittall Street Clinic is featured in Channel 4's new programme ‘The Sex Clinic’, starts 10pm Thursday 11th April.
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New Rapid HIV Testing clinic at St Martin’s in the Bullring
Now open every Tuesday 11.00am - 3.15pm - no appointment needed.
The clinic is located upstairs in the St Martin’s Centre for Health & Healing next to the Church in the Bullring. Entrance to the clinic is via St Martin’s church shop.
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis is a tiny parasite that is sexually transmitted. This includes penis to vagina or vulva to vulva intercourse. In women, the infection can be found in the vagina and the urethra (tube where urine comes out). In men, it can be found in the urethra.
How is it passed on?
Trichomonas is usually passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner:
- Unprotected vaginal sex
- Sharing sex toys
Trichomonas vaginalis is not spread from oral, or anal sex.
Symptoms
Up to half of infected men and women will not have any signs or symptoms.
Symptoms in women may include:
- Soreness, inflammation and itching in and around the vagina
- Vaginal discharge
- Discomfort during sexItching of the inner thighs
- Vulvar itching
- Strong vaginal smell
Symptoms in men may include:
- Burning after urination
- Slight discharge from the penis
- Itching of urethra
- Inflammation of the foreskin (uncommon)
- Epididymitis and prostatis (uncommon)
How is trichomonas diagnosed?
In women, microscopy of the vaginal discharge can show trichomonas. Microscopy results are ready on the day of clinic visit.
Men’s urine and women’s self collected vulvar swabs can also be tested for trichomonas.
What is the treatment for Trichomonas vaginalis?
Trichomonas is curable. It is treated with a course of antibiotics. Patients notice improvement in the signs and symptoms within a few days.
The antibiotics used to treat trichomonas interact with methods of contraception that contain oestrogen and progesterone (e.g. the combined pill and the contraceptive pill) so you must tell the doctor or nurse if you are using these methods so they can advise you on how to ensure you are protected from pregnancy.
What are the complications of untreated trichomans?
Untreated trichomonas can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, and premature delivery in women. Trichomonas also increases the risk of acquiring HIV infection if sexually exposed.
You can help protect yourself from trichomonas vaginalis by using condoms every time you have vaginal sex.
If you are unsure of how to use condoms, please ask to see a health advisor who will be happy to talk to you about safely using condoms.
You can help protect yourself against trichomonas by using condoms every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.
- Watch our video if you are unsure of how to use condoms
- Click here to see how many cases of trichomonas we have diagnosed.
