Pregnancy Trichomoniasis | Symptoms & Treatments

Trichomoniasis is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that should be screened for before pregnancy. While the disease is easily treatable and curable, it may have adverse effects on your pregnancy. This article discusses what trichomoniasis is, symptoms of trichomoniasis during pregnancy, and the implications of having trichomoniasis during pregnancy. 

Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoa called Trichomonas vaginalis that is transmitted via vaginal, anal, and oral sex and infects the urogenital tracts. In certain rare cases, the parasite may be transmitted to a newborn from the mother during delivery.

The parasite can infect both male and female urogenital tracts, and while the majority of infections are asymptomatic, women are more likely to experience symptoms like vaginal discharge. Over 50% of women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis experience vaginal discharge, and around 10% of men experience urethritis.

The fact that trichomoniasis is asymptomatic in so many individuals contributes to its high rates of infection, as you may not be aware that you are infected without testing. According to the most recent prevalence estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 there were an estimated 156 million cases worldwide, with prevalence rates of 5.3% in women and 0.6% in men. 

Trichomoniasis is easily treated with antibiotics, but left untreated, trichomoniasis in women not only causes vaginal discharge but increases a women’s risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and poor birth outcomes. Moreover, trichomoniasis also increases the risks of HIV infection.

Men are not home safe – not only are they often carriers of the disease due to being asymptomatic, but trichomoniasis left treated in men is directly linked to a higher likelihood of prostatitis, epididymitis, and lower sperm motility. This means that if you’re trying to have a baby, it’s a good idea for both the male and female to be tested to optimize fertility (among other reasons we’re about to discuss). 

Signs of Trichomoniasis During Pregnancy

So how do you know if you have trichomoniasis if you’re pregnant? Well, though many women who have trich – whether they’re pregnant or not – exhibit no symptoms, around half of women do exhibit symptoms such as:

• The vagina and vulva being irritated, red, or itchy
• A greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant and may have a frothy consistency
• A little spotting (blood) after sexual intercourse
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Discomfort while urinating
• This is rare, but some women experience discomfort in their lower abdomen 

The timeframe of symptoms starting varies from person to person; some people begin experiencing symptoms right after they get infected, while others don’t have any symptoms for a long time. This means that if you were recently diagnosed with trich, there is the possibility that you have had it for a while and the symptoms are only showing up now.

If you do experience any of the above symptoms, immediately inform your practitioner in order to be tested for trich and other STIs so you can receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This is especially important if you are pregnant in order to mitigate potential risk factors caused by STIs like trich.

The process of testing for trichomoniasis is simple; your practitioner will normally examine a swab of your vaginal fluid to spot the parasite. In certain cases, they may also send a sample to the lab to undergo a more sensitive test.

What Is Trichomoniasis Caused by During Pregnancy?

Trichomoniasis is caused by the same things during pregnancy as any other time. The parasite is spread through skin-to-skin contact, normally during sexual activities like oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

While condoms can reduce the risk of passing it on, it cannot completely protect someone from trich as the parasite may jump to another person from parts of the skin that a condom does not cover. Even if you don’t show any symptoms of trich, you still run the risk of passing it on to your baby at birth as well as to any sexual partners. 

Young, sexually active women under the age of 25 are statistically the most likely to contract trich. People who are at the highest risk of contracting trichomoniasis during their pregnancy include:

• Having a partner who is infected
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Having unprotected sex (no condoms)
• Currently have or used to have other STIs
• Previously having had a trichomoniasis infection

How Does Trichomoniasis Affect Pregnancy?

If you think you are at risk of contracting trichomoniasis while pregnant, it is highly recommended to undergo screenings so that you can start undergoing treatment immediately if you receive a positive diagnosis. There is no risk of transmission during birth if the infection is cleared before you go into labor. Having trichomoniasis throughout your pregnancy increases your risk of:

• Having a baby with a low birth weight
• Going into labor prematurely
• Transmitting the infection to a female baby (extremely rare)

Can Trichomoniasis Cause Miscarriage in Early Pregnancy?

While untreated trichomoniasis is not directly associated with miscarriage, it’s important to keep in mind the negative birth outcomes we listed above, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and premature rupture of membranes. 

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