Trichomonasis test

A trichomoniasis test is a test that checks for the presence of a trichomoniasis infection. It involves taking a sample from your body and then testing the sample to see if the parasite that causes the infection is present.

If the test shows the parasite is present in your sample, that means you have the infection and will need treatment.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a single-celled parasite called ‘trichomonas vaginalis’. Because it’s an STI, that means the infection is passed between people when they have sex. It usually doesn’t cause symptoms so it’s hard to know if you have the infection unless you test for it.

The at-home trichomoniasis test kit lets you take your test sample at home before sending it to a partner lab for testing. Taking your sample at home is different if you have a vagina or a penis. If you have a vagina, you will need to do a vaginal swab test, and if you have a penis, you will need to take a urine sample.

How to take a swab test sample:

1. Take the swab out and avoid touching the tip.
2. Spread open the skin outside the vagina and insert the tip of the swab. Don’t push it in too deep – it shouldn’t be painful.
3. Twist the swab around for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Remove the swab, making sure not to touch the tip. Place it inside the tube provided and seal it.
5. Fill out the label provided with your details and stick that onto the tube.
6. Put the tube into the prepaid envelope to post to the partner lab.

How to take a urine sample:

1. Take the smallest bottle and pee into it, making sure to catch the first bit of liquid since this will contain any parasites.
2. Aim to fill the bottle half full, then seal it.
3. Place the smaller bottle inside the larger one and close that too.
4. Fill out the label provided with your details and stick that onto the larger bottle.
5. Put the larger bottle into the prepaid envelope to post to the partner lab.

It’s impossible to know for sure if you have a trichomoniasis infection unless you get tested. Trichomoniasis often doesn’t come with any symptoms so you won’t necessarily know if you have the infection. If you don’t get tested you won’t know whether or not you need treatment.

Trichomoniasis infections won’t go away on their own and if left untreated, infections can lead to serious complications. Trichomoniasis can make it more likely that you'll get other STIs if you’re exposed to them. It can also lead to problems during pregnancy and premature birth.

It’s a good idea to take a trichomoniasis test if you think you may have been exposed to the infection.

This might mean that you’ve had sex with someone who has informed you that they have the infection. It could also be that you’ve got symptoms of an infection, such as:

• unusual vaginal discharge, which may have an unusual colour, texture, or smell
• inflammation around the vagina
• swelling and itching around the vagina
• pain when you pee or have sex
• having to pee more often than usual
• stomach pain
• discharge from the penis
• swelling, soreness, and redness around the head of the penis and the foreskin

If you have any of these symptoms and have recently had unprotected sex with someone, we recommend getting tested. We recommend testing once every year or after a new sexual partner, not everyone informs the person they have had sexual contact with that they have trichomoniasis.

Remember that trichomoniasis doesn’t always cause symptoms, so you should get tested if you think you’ve been exposed, even if you don’t have any symptoms. It is estimated that up to 50% of women and men do not experience symptoms with trichomoniasis.

You will usually receive the results of your test within 4 to 5 days of your sample reaching our partner lab. Your results will be displayed in your patient account and we will contact you once they’re ready. For privacy and security reasons we never send results directly to you via email or SMS.

If your results come back positive, that means the test detected parasites in your sample and it means you have a trichomoniasis infection. This also means you need treatment to clear the infection.

If your results come back negative, and you have taken it at least 2 weeks after you had unprotected sex, this means the test did not detect the presence of any parasites and you do not have a trichomoniasis infection.

If you get a positive result then it means you have a trichomoniasis infection and you need treatment.

Treatment is important because trichomoniasis infections don’t go away on their own and untreated infections can lead to complications. Treatment can be ordered online, or you can get it from your local GP or sexual health clinic as well.

Even though trichomoniasis is caused by parasites and not bacteria, it is still treated using antibiotics. The usual treatment for trichomoniasis is an antibiotic called metronidazole. Metronidazole kills the parasites that cause trichomoniasis, helping your body clear the infection.

You normally take metronidazole for 7 days straight for a trichomoniasis infection. A shorter course can sometimes be prescribed as a one-off dose, this is usually for those who are less likely to complete a 7-day course in full.

You should take all of your medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better or any symptoms go away before the end of your course. If you don’t, the infection could come back.

Trichomoniasis test kits are available at registered online pharmacies like Asda Online Doctor. To buy a trichomoniasis test kit with Asda Online Doctor, simply:

1. Start a consultation.
2. Fill in the required tick boxes and select ‘next’.
3. Confirm the test kit you want to order.
4. Select your preferred delivery method.
5. Log in or create an account.
6. Provide payment details and complete your order.

Once your order is completed, your test kit will be posted to you and payment will be taken.

Yes. It is possible to get a free, confidential trichomoniasis test through your local GP via the NHS though they may refer you to a sexual health clinic. It is possible to access online home testing kits at some local NHS trusts, though availability is limited and it depends where you are based. Trichomoniasis tests are also available at Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics.

How accurate is an at-home trichomoniasis test?

When used correctly and within the right timeframe for testing, all of our at-home tests are up to 99% accurate. Our tests are just as accurate as those taken in person, like at a sexual health clinic for example. To make sure your test is as accurate as possible, follow the instructions that come with your kit carefully. We recommend taking the test at least 4 weeks after you think you were exposed to trichomoniasis in order to make sure it’s accurate.

Is there also a trichomoniasis blood test?

No. There is no blood test for trichomoniasis. Unlike some STIs like HIV or syphilis, trichomoniasis is not easily detected in the blood. A swab or urine test is a more efficient way to detect the presence of the parasites.

Does trichomoniasis show up on a chlamydia test?

No. A test designed just for detecting chlamydia won’t show the presence of the parasites that cause trichomoniasis. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria and that’s what a stand-alone chlamydia test will check for. However, you can get combined test kits that check for chlamydia and trichomoniasis, along with other STIs. One example of this is Asda Online Doctor’s extended STI test kit.

Can you test for trichomoniasis while on period?

Yes. Modern tests can confirm the presence of trichomoniasis parasites, even if there is period blood in the sample being tested. There’s no need to put off testing just because you’re on your period.

How soon after exposure can I take the test?

You should wait at least 1 to 4 weeks from when you think you were exposed to trichomoniasis. This is because it takes time for an infection to develop to the point where it can be detected by a test. If you test sooner than this and you get a negative result, you will have to test again after the 4-week mark to be sure.