Critters in my culo?
Dear Dr. Dick,
I happily sleep with girls and guys. The other day my lady friend went to the doctor and they told her she has trich! I guess the doc told her that more girls get it than dudes. Could I have it, or should I not be too worried?
- Concerned on Cap Hill
Dear Concerned,
You're the first guy to ask about trich in a long time. Thanks for your question! It's awesome that your partner told you about her trich diagnosis. Yes, since she's been infected with trich, you might have caught it too. But the only way to know is to go to your doc to get it checked out. You might feel overwhelmed or scared, but you'll be happy to hear that trich is easily CURED with antibiotics. Here's some more info:
Trich, short for trichomoniasis, is an STI caused by a protozoan parasite (a microscopic single-celled critter), and is actually the most common curable STI. In the US, about 3.7 million people have the infection--but about 70% of them have NO SYMPTOMS. Thus, there are lots of folks running around with the infection who can pass it on to others.
Trich infects the vagina most frequently, and is spread most often through vaginal sex. It's not very common for trich to take up residence in the anus or mouth, but it is possible. One study found that about 70% of men with infected female partners were infected with trich. Trich is quite uncommon though among men who only have sex with other men.
Symptoms usually show up between 5-28 days after getting infected with the parasite. Guys who get infected with trich might have discharge from their penis; feel a burn after they pee or cum; or have an itch or irritation inside their dick. Symptoms in female-bodied folks can include a thin discharge with a strange smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish; discomfort when peeing; and itching, burning, redness, or soreness of the genitals. Having trich can make sex feel less-than-good for anyone who's infected, because the genitals can become inflamed and sore.
Like any STI, trich can increase your chance of getting another infection, like HIV. If you are poz, having trich can also make you more likely to pass HIV on to a partner. This is because the genitals can become inflamed, which makes it easier to get or spread HIV. Trich is far and away the most common curable STI in women with HIV, so women with HIV should definitely get tested. Have an honest conversation with your partner(s) and encourage them to get tested, or go get tested together. There are lots of options for testing on Capitol Hill. Click here for more info: Where To Get Tested.
Your medical provider will check you for signs of infection, may complete a laboratory test to confirm if you are infected with the trich parasite, and should treat you if you are. As with other curable STIs, doctors usually treat the sex partners of people who have a known infection without waiting for the results of their laboratory tests.
While getting treated for trich:
• You shouldn't have sex again until your symptoms are gone (about a week). Otherwise, you and your partner(s) could reinfect each other.
• If you're unable to abstain from sex while getting treatment, use condoms and other barrier methods like dams.
• Avoid getting your drink on while taking the antibiotics. Alcohol can cause unpleasant side effects.
• All of your sex partners should get treated too. *You and your partners should only take antibiotics that are prescribed by a medical provider. Taking someone else's antibiotics or buying them on the street can spell disaster for your health.
Above all, you owe it to yourself to get checked out.
Best wishes,
Dr. Dick
