*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

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This Week - T : Trichomoniasis (STI)

Symptoms of trichomoniasis

The main symptoms of trichomoniasis are a yellow-green discharge from your vagina that may smell like fish, and pain when peeing.

Symptoms can start 5 to 28 days after being infected, but sometimes you may not get them until much later.

Many people get no symptoms at all, so it's important to get tested if you think you might have trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis can cause symptoms in men. These symptoms can affect anyone with a penis:

discharge from your penis
pain when peeing
needing to pee often
pain or soreness in your penis, testicles (balls) or bottom, or when you ejaculate

Go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP if:

you or a partner have symptoms of trichomoniasis
you've recently had sex without a condom with a new partner, or with someone who has trichomoniasis or another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
you, or a partner, have had sex without a condom with other partners
you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have trichomoniasis

Find a sexual health clinic

What happens at your appointment

A doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and sexual partners. They may need to check your penis or vagina for signs of trichomoniasis.

When you make your appointment, let them know if you would like someone else to be in the room with you (a chaperone). This could be someone you know, another nurse or a trained member of staff.

They may use a swab (like a large cotton bud) to take a sample of fluid from your penis or vagina. You may be able to do the swab yourself.

You might also be asked to give a pee sample.

You can ask to be tested even if you do not have any symptoms.

You may also have tests for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the same time.

Contacting sexual partners

If you have trichomoniasis, your current and any recent sexual partners will also need to be treated.

The GP or sexual health clinic can advise you about contacting your sexual partners. This can be done without naming you.

Treatment for trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotics, usually metronidazole. You'll take it either twice a day for 7 days or as a one-off dose.

If you have symptoms, they should start to get better within a few days of starting the antibiotics. It's important to finish the course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better.

If your symptoms do not go away, you may be given another course of antibiotics.

Do not have sex until at least 1 week after you and any sexual partners have finished treatment.