Trichomoniasis symptoms
Only a minority of people with trichomoniasis develop symptoms. When symptoms do appear they can be mild or clearly uncomfortable, and they overlap with bacterial vaginosis and other causes of discharge.
Diagnik Health Library · Updated
With a vagina
- Discharge that may be frothy, thin, yellow-green or unusually smelly.
- Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the vulva.
- Discomfort when urinating or during sex.
With a penis
- Itching or irritation inside the penis.
- Burning after urinating or ejaculating.
- Discharge from the penis.
What else looks like this
Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, chlamydia and gonorrhea all produce overlapping symptoms. A test that reports chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis separately is how you tell them apart — and if a test is negative and symptoms continue, a clinical exam is the next step.
Tests mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
- Does trichomoniasis smell?
- Some people notice an unusual or fishy odour with discharge, but odour alone cannot identify the cause.
- How long after exposure do symptoms start?
- Symptoms, when they occur, often begin within a few days to a month of exposure, though many people never develop any.
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Educational information only, not a medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Screening results always need confirmation by a clinician.
This guide is general health information about screening tests. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace care from a clinician. See our medical disclaimer.