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, according to the CDC. It is also one of the least talked about. Many people have never heard of it, and many who have it notice nothing at all.

This guide explains what trichomoniasis is, what the research says about how it behaves, what testing involves, and how a clinician treats it. It also lists places in Atlanta where you can ask about testing.

What trichomoniasis is

Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is not a virus and it is not a bacterium. That matters because it is treated with a different kind of medicine than the one used for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

The CDC says the parasite spreads through sex. This includes vaginal sex and genital contact, and it can pass between partners of any gender. People often call it "trich."

Trichomoniasis is curable. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe it as treatable with a prescription from a clinician. Like other STIs, it can come back if a person is exposed again.

Trichomoniasis symptoms

Many people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. The CDC says most people who have the parasite do not know it. When symptoms do appear, they can show up within a few weeks, or much later.

No one can tell whether they have trichomoniasis from symptoms alone. Other conditions cause very similar signs. Only a test can say.

Symptoms people with a vagina may notice

The CDC lists these possible signs:

Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genital area
Discomfort when urinating
A change in vaginal discharge, which may be thin or thicker, and may look clear, white, yellowish or greenish

Some people also notice discomfort during sex. A discharge odor is sometimes reported too.

Symptoms people with a penis may notice

The CDC lists these possible signs:

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

Many people with a penis have no symptoms at all. The CDC notes that the infection can clear on its own in some men without treatment, but it can also stay and be passed on.

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide

Because so many people feel fine, the absence of symptoms does not tell you anything about your status. The same goes for having symptoms. Both situations are good reasons to talk with a clinician or ask about testing.

What research suggests about the parasite

Research suggests that trichomoniasis matters beyond the discomfort it can cause. These are observations from the CDC and its published guidelines, not predictions for any one person.

The CDC says the parasite lives mostly in the lower genital tract. In people with a vagina, that includes the vagina and urethra. In people with a penis, it is usually the urethra.
The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note that trichomoniasis in pregnancy has been linked with outcomes such as preterm delivery and low birth weight.
The same guidelines report that having trichomoniasis may make it easier to acquire HIV, and may make it easier for a person with HIV to pass it on. Researchers believe inflammation in the genital tract plays a role.
The guidelines also note that trichomoniasis is often found together with other STIs, which is one reason clinicians may offer a wider panel of tests.

These findings are the reason public health agencies encourage testing and treatment. They are not a reason for worry. Treatment is effective, and finding the infection early is the goal.

For context on a related infection, you can read about chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Atlanta.

How trichomoniasis is tested

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend a nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT, as a highly sensitive way to detect the parasite. A NAAT looks for the parasite's genetic material in a sample.

Samples vary by person and by clinic. The CDC guidelines describe these options:

A vaginal swab, which can be collected by a clinician or, in many settings, by the patient
A urine sample
A urethral swab for some people with a penis

Some clinics also use rapid tests or look at a sample under a microscope. The CDC guidelines note that microscopy misses more infections than a NAAT does. A clinician will tell you which test they use.

Who is tested

The CDC guidelines recommend testing for people who have symptoms. They also recommend considering screening for women with HIV, at entry into care and then at least yearly. Trichomoniasis is not part of routine screening for everyone, so you may need to ask for it.

If you are wondering whether testing makes sense for you, a clinician can talk through your situation. You can also say what you are worried about, and they can tell you which tests fit.

Window periods

The CDC does not publish a single window period for trichomoniasis the way it does for HIV. If you are worried about a recent exposure, ask the clinic when a test will be most informative. They can advise you based on current CDC guidance.

Trichomoniasis treatment

Treatment is a prescription from a clinician. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) name a class of antimicrobial medicines called nitroimidazoles, including metronidazole and tinidazole, as the medicines used for trichomoniasis. Your clinician decides which one fits you and how you should take it.

Do not use leftover medicine or someone else's prescription. Take the course exactly as your clinician and pharmacist explain it.

Safety profile and things to tell your clinician

Every prescription medicine has side effects and some cautions. Research and CDC guidance point to these common talking points:

Allergies. Tell your clinician if you have ever had a reaction to a medicine in this class.
Alcohol. The CDC guidelines include advice about avoiding alcohol around the time of treatment with these medicines. Ask your clinician or pharmacist exactly what applies to the medicine you are given.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The CDC guidelines discuss treatment during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Tell your clinician if either applies, so they can choose the right approach.
Other medicines. Share your full list of prescriptions and supplements.
Common side effects. The CDC guidelines mention effects such as nausea and a metallic taste. Tell your clinician if anything feels severe or unusual.

Over-the-counter products do not treat trichomoniasis. The CDC says it needs a prescription from a clinician.

Retesting and partner care

Retesting

Trichomoniasis can return after treatment. The CDC guidelines recommend that sexually active women be retested within three months after treatment, whether or not they think their partners were treated. A NAAT can be done sooner than that in some cases, and a clinician can advise on timing.

The guidelines also note that retesting is worth discussing for men. Ask your clinician what makes sense for you.

Partners

Partners need care too. The CDC guidelines recommend that current sex partners be treated, so that the infection is not passed back and forth. The CDC also advises that people wait to have sex again until they and their partners have all been treated and any symptoms have gone away. A clinician can tell you when that is.

Expedited partner therapy, or EPT, is a way for a clinician to provide treatment for a partner without a separate visit. The CDC lists Georgia's legal status for EPT on its Legal Status of EPT in Georgia page. The Georgia Department of Public Health says EPT services can be found through local public health departments. Ask your clinic whether EPT is an option for trichomoniasis in your situation, because the published Georgia information does not spell this out.

If you are not sure how to tell a partner, many people find it easier to keep it simple and factual: you were tested or treated for an STI, and they may want to get checked. Clinics see these conversations every day. Nobody needs to feel ashamed about them.

Where to ask about trichomoniasis testing in Atlanta

These are places in Atlanta that offer STI services. Each clinic's published page may not name every test it runs. When you call, ask directly whether they test for trichomoniasis, and what it costs. For a wider list, see the local testing list and the full guide to STD testing in Atlanta, where to get tested and what it costs.

Fulton County Board of Health

The Fulton County Board of Health sexual health page lists STI screening and treatment. The Board of Health says fees on a sliding scale are available if you do not have insurance. Its sexual health clinics serve Fulton County residents ages 14 and up.

10 Park Place Health Center, 10 Park Place S.E., 5th floor, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone (770) 520-7500. The Board of Health lists Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last walk-in appointment at 3:00 p.m.
Adamsville Regional Health Center, 3700 MLK Jr. Drive S.W., Atlanta, GA 30331. Phone (770) 520-7323. Listed hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Board of Health says services may be walk-in or by appointment, and recommends appointments.
Neighborhood Union Health Center, 186 Sunset Avenue N.W., Atlanta, GA 30314. Phone (770) 520-7351. The Board of Health's own pages list different days, so call to confirm hours before you go.

Part of Atlanta lies in DeKalb County. DeKalb Public Health serves that portion of the city. Check its website for services and locations.

AID Atlanta Wellness Center

AID Atlanta, at 1438 W Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, lists free STI screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, and free HIV tests. Its testing page lists testing Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For STI testing, call (404) 870-7741. Its published list does not name trichomoniasis, so ask when you call. See the AID Atlanta testing page.

Planned Parenthood East Atlanta Health Center

This center is at 440 Moreland Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. Phone 404-688-9300. Planned Parenthood lists STD testing and treatment there. Insurance is not required, and the center accepts several insurers as well as cash and cards. The page does not mention a sliding scale. It says walk-ins are welcome but that only appointments guarantee service. Hours were published as Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so check before you go.

For teens and young adults

The Fulton County Teen Health Clinic at Adamsville Regional Health Center serves people ages 12 to 21. Its page lists STI exams and HIV counseling and testing. It says fees are based on income and family size, and that no teen is turned away because they cannot pay. Phone 770-520-7323.

On consent, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-17-7) lets a minor who has or believes they have a venereal disease consent to care. The statute does not list trichomoniasis by name. The Guttmacher Institute summarizes Georgia as allowing minors to consent to STI testing and treatment, and notes that providers may tell a parent. Ask the clinic how it handles privacy before you book.

Using the CDC locator

The CDC runs a testing site finder at gettested.cdc.gov. Enter Atlanta or a ZIP code to see more options, then call to ask about trichomoniasis testing.

A few common questions

Does trichomoniasis go away on its own?

The CDC says the infection can persist without treatment. A clinician can prescribe treatment that cures it. Skipping care leaves the infection able to spread to partners.

Can trichomoniasis be cured for good?

Treatment cures the infection. After that, you can get it again if you are exposed again, which is why retesting and partner treatment are part of the CDC's advice.

What else might a clinician test for?

Because STIs often occur together, a clinician may offer chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV testing as well. In Fulton County, the Georgia Department of Public Health's OASIS data tool reported a 2023 chlamydia rate of 978.7 per 100,000 people. That is one reason local clinics encourage broader panels. Georgia's public numbers for trichomoniasis were not available for this guide, so the health department is the place to ask.

A calm next step

Trichomoniasis is common, curable and manageable with a short clinic visit. If you have symptoms, a partner who was treated, or simply a question, a conversation with a clinician is a good start. Use the clinics above or the CDC locator, and ask which tests they run.

Free or low-cost options exist in Atlanta. A call to any of these clinics can tell you what is available today.

Trichomoniasis: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Atlanta