About Our Trichomoniasis Test
Purpose of the test
The purpose of a trichomoniasis test is to find an infection with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis testing may be used for screening, diagnosis, or monitoring:
Diagnostic testing is the process of determining the cause of your symptoms. The majority of people with this infection don’t develop symptoms, but approximately 30% will have symptoms similar to those caused by other STDs. Common symptoms of trichomoniasis include yellow-green vaginal discharge with odor, painful urination, and irritation. Men can experience urethritis, epididymitis, and prostatitis (irritation and pain in the genitals).
Screening for trichomoniasis is performed in patients without symptoms. This is recommended for women with HIV, other STDs, drug users and women who engage in transactional sex or have multiple sexual partners. Routine screening is not recommended for asymptomatic men, except when a partner is diagnosed.
Monitoring tests are used after you finish treatment for trichomoniasis. Because a significant number of patients are reinfected by an untreated partner, the CDC recommends retesting approximately three months after treatment.
What does our Trichomoniasis test measure?
Trichomoniasis testing looks for evidence of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Most modern trichomoniasis tests use a vaginal swab or a urine sample, depending on the patient’s anatomy and the testing method.
Several laboratory tests may be used to detect trichomoniasis.
Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is considered the gold standard and preferred method for detecting a trichomoniasis infection and can be used in people of all genders. This test can detect the genetic material of the parasite (DNA or RNA) in a urine sample or a swab of fluid from the vagina or cervix. While more time-consuming than wet-mount microscopy, NAAT is better at detecting this infection.
Wet-mount microscopy is still used for diagnosing trichomoniasis in women and anyone with a vagina, but it may not be as accurate as NAAT. During this test, the patient’s doctor examines a vaginal fluid sample under a microscope for the presence of the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. This testing method is quick and practical, allowing doctors to detect the parasite during your appointment and prescribe treatment immediately.
Cultures allow health professionals to grow and detect the parasite in a laboratory. This test, still commonly performed if NAAT test results are negative, can accurately detect trichomoniasis, but results take three to seven days. In patients with infections resistant to common treatments, cultures may also be used to test various treatments in the lab and determine which is most effective, a process known as drug susceptibility testing.
Rapid antigen testing is a quick method of detecting Trichomonas vaginalis antigens in vaginal fluid. Antigens are substances that trigger your immune system to respond to the parasite. This test can be performed in a doctor’s office, and results are available in 10 to 15 minutes.
When should I get a Trichomoniasis test?
To help decide if trichomoniasis testing is appropriate, a doctor starts by discussing your symptoms and performing a physical exam, as well as a pelvic exam in patients with a vagina. Doctors recommend testing for trichomoniasis when you are at a high risk of contracting this infection, have symptoms suggestive of infection, or have completed the prescribed treatment.
Diagnosing trichomoniasis in patients with symptoms of this infection relies on one of several test methods that can detect Trichomonas vaginalis. When symptoms occur, they often begin around five to 28 days after infection. The frequency and type of symptoms you may experience depend on your anatomy.
For those with a penis, symptoms appear in less than 25% of patients. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in this group include:
- Discharge from the urethra
- Burning after ejaculating or urinating
- Irritation in the penis
- Strong odor
For those with a vagina, only a small portion experience symptoms soon after infection. Symptoms may become more common over time and get worse during menstruation. When they occur, symptoms of this infection can include:
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina (frothy, yellow/green)
- Discomfort during and after urinating
- Irritation and redness in the vagina
- Bleeding after sex
- Strong odor
Even when symptoms are mild or absent, untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV and may cause complications during pregnancy, including premature birth and low birth weight. Testing and treatment help prevent these complications and stop the infection from spreading.
Patients being tested for trichomoniasis may receive other STD tests at the same time, including chlamydia and gonorrhea tests.
Occasionally, signs of trichomoniasis may be detected during a routine Pap smear. If a Pap smear indicates a possible asymptomatic infection, a doctor may recommend wet-mount microscopy and a NAAT, culture, or rapid test to confirm a diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
Screening for trichomoniasis is recommended for several groups who are at an increased risk of acquiring this STD. How often to get tested depends on the patient’s specific circumstances. For men and anyone with a penis, screening is not recommended. It is often recommended for sexually active women and anyone with a vagina if:
- You have been diagnosed with HIV
- You live or receive care in an area where this infection is common, including correctional facilities
- You have new or multiple sex partners
- You have a history of STDs
Monitoring patients after treatment for trichomoniasis helps to ensure that patients don’t become reinfected by an untreated partner after finishing therapy. In women and anyone with a vagina, some will become reinfected, and repeat testing for trichomoniasis is recommended within three months of completing treatment, or sooner if symptoms return.
Because the frequency and timing of trichomoniasis testing depends on several factors, it’s important to discuss recommendations for testing with your doctors.
Finding a Trichomoniasis Test
How to get tested
Testing for trichomoniasis can be performed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and community health clinics. You can order a trichomoniasis test online with testing at a local lab.
Trichomoniasis testing can be ordered by a doctor or other health care provider. Before screening patients without symptoms, a health care provider can assess the risk of acquiring trichomoniasis and recommend a schedule for regular testing, if necessary.
If you are experiencing symptoms of trichomoniasis, the health care professional will order the most appropriate test to rule out or confirm trichomoniasis as the cause of symptoms.
Can I take the test home?
At-home trichomoniasis tests are available to detect this common STD at home. Using a self-collection test kit, you can obtain a sample at home and send it to a laboratory for analysis.
At-home trichomoniasis tests use either NAAT or nucleic acid probe technology to find evidence of infection with Trichomonas vaginalis in a sample of urine or a swab collected from the vagina.
Regardless of the results of at-home trichomoniasis testing, you need to follow up with your doctor for confirmation and a discussion of the test results.
How much does the test cost?
The cost of trichomoniasis testing depends on many factors, including who orders the test and where it is conducted.
When trichomoniasis testing is ordered by a health professional, the cost of testing may be paid for by your health insurance. Even with health insurance, there may still be patient expenses, such as copays and deductibles.
Some online testing providers do not bill insurance directly but may allow payment using HSA or FSA funds. The cost of trichomoniasis testing may also be paid out of pocket. Testing costs may include exam fees, technician fees, and the cost of the trichomoniasis test.
If you’re concerned about the cost of testing for trichomoniasis, contact your local health department or a community-based organization that provides free or low-cost STD testing.
Taking a Trichomoniasis Test
Trichomoniasis testing may be performed using a sample of urine or genital body fluid collected with a swab or small brush. Samples used for testing can be collected by a medical professional or by you as the patient.
Before the test
There are no special precautions to take before a trichomoniasis test. If you are taking the test from home, be sure to follow all instructions carefully. Before collecting a sample for a trichomoniasis test, a health care provider may perform a physical exam that includes looking at your genitals for signs of trichomoniasis.
During the test
The first step in testing for trichomoniasis usually involves collecting a sample and performing wet-mount microscopy. Samples may be taken from the penis or vagina with a small brush or swab. After preparing the samples, a doctor examines them under a microscope for the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The collection process may be uncomfortable, but the discomfort is typically very brief.
If you are asked to provide a urine sample, you may be instructed on how to collect a clean-catch sample. You may be given a cleansing pad to clean your genitals and a container to collect your sample. After using the cleansing pad, you start urinating into the toilet, then move the collection container under your stream. Once you’ve collected sufficient urine, you finish urinating in the toilet and then return the collection container to your health care provider.
After the test
There are no risks or side effects of trichomoniasis testing. You can return to normal activities after the test is complete.
If you test positive for Trichomoniasis, it is typically treated with prescription antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole, often taken as a single dose or a short course. Because reinfection is common, sexual partners should also be treated, and sexual activity should be avoided until treatment is complete.