This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Trichomoniasis is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe it as an infection caused by a tiny single-celled parasite. Many people who carry it never notice anything, which is why it is easy to miss and easy to pass on without knowing.

This guide explains how the parasite works, what research suggests about trichomoniasis symptoms in different bodies, how testing works, and what trichomoniasis treatment looks like when a clinician prescribes it. It also covers where people in Dallas can get tested.

What causes trichomoniasis

The organism behind trichomoniasis is a protozoan named Trichomonas vaginalis. A protozoan is a single-celled organism, not a bacterium and not a virus. That detail matters because it explains why the infection is treated with a different kind of medicine than chlamydia or gonorrhea.

The parasite lives in the genital tract. In people with a vagina, it is usually found in the vagina and urethra. In people with a penis, it is usually found in the urethra, the tube that carries urine. The CDC says it spreads through genital contact, including vaginal sex and genital-to-genital touching, and that it does not need ejaculation to pass between partners.

The CDC also notes that it is not typically found in the mouth or throat or in the rectum. That is one reason testing focuses on genital samples.

How common is it?

The CDC estimates that about 2.6 million people in the United States had trichomoniasis in 2018. The CDC also says most people who have it have no signs or symptoms.

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not publish a Dallas County trichomoniasis rate in the reports we reviewed. Its published county figures cover chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. For local numbers on trichomoniasis, ask the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) Sexual Health Clinic.

Trichomoniasis symptoms: what research and the CDC describe

The CDC says that when symptoms do appear, they usually begin within about 5 to 28 days after exposure. Some people notice changes much later. Others never do.

Symptoms are not a reliable guide on their own. Several conditions can look alike, including bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Only a test can tell them apart, and a clinician can explain what a result means.

In people with a vagina

The CDC lists these possible signs:

Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals
Discomfort when urinating
A change in vaginal discharge, which may be thin or increased in amount
Discharge that may look clear, white, yellowish or greenish

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) also describe a possible odor and pain during sex. Some people have lower abdominal discomfort.

In people with a penis

The CDC says people with a penis are less likely to notice symptoms. When they do, the signs can include:

Itching or irritation inside the penis
Burning after urinating or after ejaculating
Discharge from the penis

The infection can also settle in without any signs, and it can then pass to a partner. This is a common way it spreads between people who both feel fine.

For everyone

Trichomoniasis is not about gender, orientation or the number of partners. Anyone who has genital contact with someone who carries the parasite can be exposed. If you notice any of the changes above, or if a partner tells you they have been diagnosed, a clinician can test and talk through next steps.

Why it matters beyond the symptoms

Research summarized in the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) suggests that trichomoniasis is linked to a higher chance of getting HIV, and a higher chance of passing it on, when one partner has HIV. The guidelines describe inflammation of the genital tract as one likely reason.

The guidelines also report an association between trichomoniasis in pregnancy and outcomes such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. These are associations seen in studies, not predictions for any one person. They are good reasons to bring up testing at a prenatal visit if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

The good news in the same guidelines is that treatment is effective, and the infection is curable with the right medicine from a clinician.

How testing works

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend nucleic acid amplification tests, called NAATs, as a highly sensitive way to detect the parasite. A NAAT looks for the genetic material of the organism, so it can pick up infections that a microscope may miss.

What the sample looks like depends on the person:

For people with a vagina, a clinician may use a vaginal swab, and some clinics let you collect the swab yourself in private.
For people with a penis, the CDC says a urine sample or a urethral swab can be used.

Many clinics can test for trichomoniasis in the same visit as other infections. If you want a full picture, ask what is included, because panels differ from clinic to clinic.

Who the CDC says to consider testing

The CDC guidelines recommend that clinicians consider testing for women who have vaginal symptoms. They also suggest considering testing for women at higher risk, such as those with new or multiple partners, a past STI, or a partner with an STI. The guidelines recommend testing for women with HIV at entry into care and at least once a year after that.

The CDC does not list a standard window period for trichomoniasis in the guidelines we relied on. If you are unsure about timing after a possible exposure, ask the clinic when to test so the result is most useful.

What to expect from a result

A clinician reads your result in the context of your symptoms and history. A positive result means the test found the organism, and treatment is the next step. A negative result means this test did not find it. If something still seems off, the clinician can talk with you about other possible causes and whether to test again.

Trichomoniasis treatment

The CDC says trichomoniasis is curable. Treatment is a prescription from a clinician. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) name the nitroimidazole family of antibiotics as the recommended approach.

The exact medicine, amount and length of treatment depend on your body, your history and any other health conditions. A clinician decides these things. Do not use leftover medicine or a friend's prescription.

Safety profile and who needs extra care

Treatment is widely used, and research summarized by the CDC suggests it is generally well tolerated. Still, some people need special attention. Tell the clinician or pharmacist if any of these apply:

You are pregnant or breastfeeding. The CDC guidelines address treatment in pregnancy and lactation, and a clinician can explain what applies.
You have had a reaction to a medicine in this family before.
You take other prescriptions or supplements, since some medicines can interact.
You have liver disease or another long-term condition.
Living with HIV. The guidelines give specific advice for women with HIV.

Ask your clinician or pharmacist about alcohol while you take the medicine. Advice has changed over time, and they can tell you what applies to your prescription.

Some people have stomach upset or a metallic taste. If side effects worry you, call the clinic before you stop. Stopping early can leave the infection in place.

During treatment

The CDC advises people to avoid sex until they and their partners have finished treatment and any symptoms have gone. This helps prevent passing the infection back and forth.

Partner treatment and retesting

Reinfection is common. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) say that sex partners should be treated, and that retesting is important for sexually active women after treatment. The guidelines recommend retesting within 3 months of treatment because repeat infection is so common. A clinician can tell you whether retesting applies to you, and when.

Treating partners in Texas

Partners may be treated at the same time to stop the infection from cycling back. The CDC's Legal Status of EPT in Texas page says Texas has no EPT statute, but state administrative rules allow it in several ways:

Texas Medical Board rules say a physician does not need a practitioner-patient relationship to prescribe STD medicine for the partner of an established patient.
Advanced practice nurses may order or prescribe for partners of an established patient, though they are not required to.
Pharmacists may fill a partner prescription without a physician-partner relationship, and the partner's name does not have to be on the label.

Whether a clinician offers this is their call. Ask at your visit. A partner who has symptoms, is pregnant or has other health concerns should still see a clinician in person.

Talking with partners

Telling a partner can feel awkward. A plain message works well: you were tested, the test found a common, curable infection, and they should talk to a clinician about getting tested and treated. The health department can also help with confidential partner services.

Where to get tested in Dallas

Dallas has several options, from the county health department to nonprofit and community clinics. Details change, so call before you go. The local testing list shows clinics side by side, and the full Dallas testing guide covers costs and what to bring.

Dallas County Health and Human Services Sexual Health Clinic

The DCHHS Sexual Health Clinic is at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, 1st Floor, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75207. The phone number is (214) 819-1819. The clinic's page lists testing for trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C, and treatment for trichomoniasis and other bacterial STIs.

Appointments are required. DCHHS says same-day or next-day appointments are offered. The clinic's page says people who only want routine testing and have no symptoms are directed to the DCHHS Mobile Medical Unit.

Hours listed by DCHHS are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone line opens at 7:45 a.m. The clinic closes at 3:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The county page lists no fees. The CDC GetTested listing says Medicaid is accepted and says to contact the organization about eligibility.

Prism Health North Texas

Prism Health North Texas lists HIV and STI testing and treatment at its Oak Lawn Health Center, 2801 Lemmon Ave, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75204. The phone number is 214-521-5191, and the same number is listed for its other Dallas locations. Prism says it uses sliding fee rates based on household income and household size, accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and most private insurance, and does not deny care based on ability to pay.

Prism says appointments should be made in advance, with same-day and walk-in appointments for urgent issues depending on availability. Its pages do not say which specific tests are included, so ask whether trichomoniasis testing is available when you call.

Other Dallas clinics

Resource Center Health (Nelson-Tebedo clinic), 2603 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75235, 214.528.2336. The clinic's page lists free rapid HIV and syphilis tests, and gonorrhea and chlamydia testing with a $40 office visit. The page does not list trichomoniasis testing or a price for it, so ask the clinic.
Foremost Family Health Centers, Martin Luther King Jr Family Clinic, 2922-B MLK Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215, (214) 426-3645. The CDC GetTested listing says insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale are accepted.
Parkland Health, Southeast Dallas Health Center, 9202 Elam Rd, Dallas, TX 75217, (214) 266-1600. The CDC GetTested listing says insurance, Medicaid and a sliding scale are accepted.
AHF Healthcare Center, Dallas, 7777 Forest Ln Ste B 122, Dallas, TX 75230, (972) 383-1060. The CDC GetTested listing shows a sliding scale and says an appointment is not required.
Neighborhood Medical Center, 5917 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254, (972) 726-6464. The CDC GetTested listing shows a sliding scale, accepts insurance and says an appointment is not required.

The CDC GetTested listings for these clinics do not say which individual tests each one offers, so confirm that trichomoniasis testing is part of the visit when you call. Then ask about cost and what to bring.

The CDC's GetTested tool at gettested.cdc.gov lets you check listings for Dallas and nearby areas.

Quality indicators: what good testing and care look like

You do not need a lab background to judge whether a clinic is a good fit. A few questions help:

Does the clinic use a NAAT? The CDC recommends this type of test for trichomoniasis.
Is the clinic a licensed health care provider? A real clinic can read results, answer questions and prescribe treatment in one place.
Do they explain what is and is not tested? Many panels leave out trichomoniasis, so ask directly.
Is the price stated up front? If a page does not list a price, call and ask rather than guessing.
Is follow-up built in? Treatment, retesting and partner advice should be part of the plan.

About at-home options

Texas DSHS runs a free mailed self-test program called Test for Texas for people 13 and older. Its kit covers HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, according to DSHS. It does not list trichomoniasis. If trichomoniasis is your concern, a clinic visit is the clearer route.

Teens, privacy and prenatal care

Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable infectious diseases, and the Texas DSHS publication "HIV and Texas Law" says this covers STIs and HIV. Parent or guardian consent is not required for that care.

The same statute says a physician may tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, with or without the minor's consent. So a teen should ask the clinic about its privacy practices before the visit. Some clinics also have their own rules. For example, the Children's Health Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine clinic says a parent or guardian must give general consent for a minor to be treated in that clinic.

During pregnancy, Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 requires syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B testing at the first prenatal visit, with more testing later. It does not list trichomoniasis. If you are pregnant and have symptoms, tell your prenatal provider so they can decide on testing.

Next steps

If you have symptoms, a partner who tested positive, or simply want to know, a short visit can answer the question. Call a clinic, ask whether trichomoniasis is included, and ask about cost. If you have already been treated, ask when retesting makes sense for you.

If chlamydia or gonorrhea is also on your mind, our guide to chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Dallas covers the next most common curable infection.

Trichomoniasis: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Dallas