Home Treatment

There is no home treatment for trichomoniasis (trich). But you can lower your chances of getting trich or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by making careful choices about sex. For example, you can make sure to always use condoms during sex. For more information, see the topic Safe Sex.

Trich is not usually transmitted by contact with objects. But avoid using objects such as washcloths or wet towels that a person with trich may have used.

It is safe for a woman to use tampons while she has a trich infection, but it may be uncomfortable.

Avoid douching. It does not help relieve symptoms, and it can even make them worse.

Medications

Trichomoniasis (trich) is usually treated with a medicine called metronidazole. The cure rate in treating trich using metronidazole is 90% to 95%.⁷ Tinidazole has been shown to be this useful too.

Medication Choices

Antiprotozoals, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are medicines that kill the tiny parasite that causes trich.

What to Think About

Trich during pregnancy raises the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and premature delivery. Treating the infection does not appear to reduce this risk.² If you are pregnant and have trich, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of treatment.

Metronidazole vaginal suppositories or creams are not recommended because oral metronidazole is much more effective. Vaginal medicines cure trich in less than 50% of cases.⁷

Metronidazole vaginal gel, which is used to treat bacterial vaginosis, is not recommended for treatment of trich.⁷