Quick Answer: A positive test for trichomoniasis means you have a curable infection that’s typically passed through sex. It’s common, often symptomless, and both you and your partner need treatment to avoid reinfection, even if they feel fine.
First: What Is Trichomoniasis, Really?
Trichomoniasis (trick-oh-moe-NEYE-uh-sis), or just “trich”, is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It spreads during sex through genital contact, and while it doesn’t always leave symptoms, it’s absolutely real and treatable.
This isn’t one of those STIs you get from a dirty toilet seat or public gym. It spreads through vaginal, penile, or vulva-to-vulva contact. It’s not picky about gender, orientation, or whether you live in a city, suburb, or gated golf community.
The parasite lives in the genitals and can stick around silently for weeks, months, even years. That’s why people often say, “But I haven’t had a new partner in forever!” or “How could I have this if my partner says they’re clean?”
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Symptoms, or Lack Thereof
Here’s where it gets tricky: about 70% of people with trich have no symptoms at all. None. Zero. Zilch. And when symptoms do show up, they’re often subtle, mistaken for something else, or come and go without warning.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Unusual discharge (greenish, yellowish, or frothy)
- Vaginal or penile itching
- Burning with urination
- Pain during sex
- Stronger vaginal odor
In people with vaginas, trich is often confused with bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection. In people with penises, it’s usually silent, and rarely tested for unless specifically requested.
That’s why trich keeps getting passed around. One partner gets treated. The other doesn’t. Then bam, reinfected.
“I Thought It Was Just a BV Flare, Then My Test Came Back Positive”
Leah, 29, had been dealing with off-and-on vaginal irritation for months.
“My doctor kept saying it was BV, and I was doing the usual Metrogel rounds. But it always came back,”
During a full STI screening after starting a new relationship, she tested positive for trichomoniasis. “I was floored. I’d never even heard of it. And the weirdest part? My boyfriend tested negative on a rapid urine panel. But turns out, they didn’t screen him for trich.”
Her story is common: misdiagnosis, incomplete testing, and confusion when symptoms don’t match. It’s frustrating, but solvable.
Testing Confusion: Why Didn’t My Partner Get the Same Result?
First, take a deep breath. This part is maddening, but it’s not your fault, and it’s more common than you think.
| Situation | Possible Reason |
|---|---|
| Partner feels fine but you tested positive | They’re asymptomatic and haven’t been screened for trich specifically |
| Partner “tested negative” but wasn’t treated | Trich isn’t included in standard STI panels unless requested |
| You were recently treated, but got it again | Partner didn’t get treated at the same time, leading to reinfection |
| Confused about where it came from | Trich can stay dormant for months; it’s hard to trace timing |
Table 1. Common reasons trich diagnoses don’t “match” between partners.
Bottom line? Both partners need to be treated, even if one of you feels fine or had a negative result. That’s how you stop the ping-pong effect.
Treatment: Yes, It’s Curable, But Timing Matters
Here’s the good news: trichomoniasis is 100% curable with the right medication. Most cases are treated with a single-dose antibiotic like metronidazole or tinidazole. That’s it. No week-long regimens. No shots. Just a pill (or a few pills at once) and you're done.
But, and it’s a big but, both you and your partner need to take it around the same time. If only one of you gets treated, the other can pass it right back. It's like washing one sock and putting the dirty one back in your drawer.
During treatment and for 7 days afterward, avoid sex of any kind, even with condoms. Give your body time to fully clear the infection.
What About Alcohol?
This part matters more than most people realize. If you’re prescribed metronidazole or tinidazole, do not drink alcohol for at least 24 to 72 hours (depending on the medication). Mixing can cause nasty side effects: nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness. It's like the worst hangover of your life, without the fun night before.
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Why Retesting Is a Big Deal
Even if you feel better and your symptoms disappear, you’ll want to confirm that the infection is gone, especially if your partner delayed treatment or you're sexually active again. The CDC recommends retesting 3 months after treatment to rule out reinfection. Not because the meds don’t work, but because real life does.
Here’s how reinfection usually happens:
- You get treated, but your partner doesn’t.
- Your partner gets treated, but you hook up again too soon.
- They got treated, but caught it from someone else in the meantime.
Point is: get treated together, and test again if anything feels off, or just to be safe.
“He Said He Took the Pills. He Didn’t.”
Denise, 34, thought she and her boyfriend were on the same page.
“I took my meds. I told him to call the clinic. He said he did. Then three weeks later, the symptoms came back,”
When she confronted him, he admitted he never got the prescription filled.
This happens all the time. People forget. They think it's not a big deal. They feel fine and assume you're being dramatic. But the risk is real, and you're not overreacting by pushing for shared treatment.
Talking to Your Partner: Do It, Even If It’s Awkward
There’s no perfect script. But you don’t need one. What matters is being direct, calm, and focused on health, not blame. Try:
- “I tested positive for trich. It’s treatable, but we both need meds or it’ll just come back.”
- “I know you don’t have symptoms, but a lot of people don’t. You might still carry it.”
- “It probably didn’t come from either of us doing anything wrong, it can be dormant for a while. But let’s take care of it now.”
This isn’t about who gave it to whom. It’s about closing the loop and protecting each other.
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Need to Test Without the Clinic? You Can.
If your partner is dragging their feet, or you just want peace of mind after treatment, at-home STD testing can help. Our Women’s 10-in-1 STD At-Home Rapid Test Kit includes trichomoniasis and other common infections, with fast results and no awkward waiting room vibes.
Whether you’re in a committed relationship, exploring something new, or just need answers, you deserve to know what’s going on with your body, on your terms.
When Your Partner Won’t Get Treated
This is where things can get... complicated. You’ve done everything right. You got tested, got treated, and maybe even bought your partner’s prescription. But they won’t take it. Or they ghost. Or they say something like, “I feel fine, so I don’t need it.”
Here’s the reality: trich can keep spreading silently unless both people are treated. If your partner refuses, you have two choices: pause all sexual activity, or protect yourself and move on.
It’s not easy. But your health is worth more than someone else’s comfort, or denial.
Reinfection: The STD Ping-Pong Nobody Wants
If you treat trich and go back to sex with an untreated partner, there’s a high chance you’ll get it again. This isn’t about bad luck, it’s biology. The parasite survives in the genital tract and doesn’t care about intentions or relationship labels.
Here’s how to break the cycle:
- Get tested and treated at the same time
- Wait 7 days after both partners finish meds before resuming sex
- Use protection consistently if there’s any uncertainty about status
Even better? Get retested in 3 months, especially if you’re sexually active with more than one person, or unsure about a partner’s follow-through.
Trichomoniasis and Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and test positive for trichomoniasis, don’t panic, but do act. Trich has been linked to preterm labor, low birth weight, and complications if left untreated. Luckily, metronidazole is considered safe during pregnancy and is routinely used by OB-GYNs for trich treatment.
Talk to your provider about the best timing and dose. And yes, your partner still needs treatment, too.
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How Long Should You Wait Before Sex, Retesting, or Relaxing?
One of the hardest things about testing positive for trichomoniasis isn’t just taking the meds, it’s knowing when it’s safe to resume sex, trust the treatment, and stop worrying about whether symptoms will come back. Even after you’ve swallowed the last dose of metronidazole or tinidazole, questions linger: “Can I get reinfected from my partner? Is it gone yet? Should I test again?”
Here’s where most people get confused: symptoms often go away fast, but that doesn’t mean the infection is gone or that it’s safe to have sex. Likewise, even if your partner also took treatment, having sex too soon can set you up for reinfection because the drug needs time to clear the infection fully in both bodies. Below is a cheat sheet that breaks it down.
| Time Since Starting Treatment | What's Happening in Your Body | Should You Have Sex? | Should You Retest? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | Medication is beginning to kill the parasite, but infection is still active. | No. You’re still contagious. | No. It’s too early, results may be misleading. |
| 24–48 hours | Symptoms may start easing; treatment is working but not finished. | No. CDC recommends waiting. | No. Still too soon. |
| 72 hours | Parasite clearance nearly complete in most people if meds taken correctly. | No. You’re close, but wait until full 7-day window passes. | No. Still premature. |
| 7+ days | Safe window post-treatment (if no reinfection). Symptoms typically gone. | Yes, only if partner was treated and abstained as well. | Optional, unless symptoms return or partner wasn’t treated. |
| 14–21 days | Good window for retesting to confirm cure if needed. | Yes. Continue practicing safer sex. | Yes, especially if symptoms came back or you’re unsure about partner’s status. |
Table: Post-treatment timeline for trichomoniasis, what to expect, when to resume sex, and how to reduce reinfection risk.
FAQs
1. How long can I have trich without knowing it?
Honestly? A long time. Trichomoniasis can hang out for months, sometimes longer, without making a sound. You might feel totally fine while it quietly sets up shop. That’s why people are often floored by a positive result. It doesn’t mean you, or your partner, did anything shady. It just means the infection’s been flying under the radar.
2. Can I get trich from a toilet seat?
Nope, and let’s put that myth to rest once and for all. Trich doesn’t survive well on surfaces. It needs warm, moist human tissue to live. Unless you’re rubbing your genitals directly on someone else’s in a public bathroom (which, hey, no judgment), the toilet isn’t your problem. It’s a sexually transmitted infection, not a gym locker room curse.
3. What if I’ve already had trich before?
You’re not dirty, you’re just human. Trich is incredibly common, and reinfection happens a lot, usually because only one partner got treated. This isn’t about blame. It’s about making sure everyone takes their meds and follows through. Round two doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’re living in the real world.
4. I’m in a committed relationship, how is this even possible?
We get this question constantly. Trich can live in the body without symptoms for ages, and many people aren’t tested unless they ask for it. So yes, you can have it in monogamy. This doesn’t automatically mean someone cheated. It could’ve been passed unknowingly months ago, and just got discovered now.
5. Could my partner have given it to me without knowing?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s usually the case. The majority of people with trich, especially men, don’t show any signs. They feel normal. So it’s easy to think they’re “clean” and not get tested. But again, this is about biology, not morality. No one’s the villain here. The fix is easy. Take the meds. Move on.
6. Can I catch trich again after I’m cured?
You bet. Trich doesn’t grant immunity. Once you’re treated, you're cleared, but if your partner wasn’t treated too, or you pick it up from someone new, it can come right back. That’s why retesting in a few months is smart. Consider it a routine check-in, like changing the oil in your car.
7. Does trich show up on regular STD panels?
Frustratingly, no. Most “standard” tests skip it unless you specifically ask, or unless your provider thinks to include it. That’s why people can get tested and think they’re all clear, when trich was never even part of the lineup. Always check what’s being tested before you assume you're in the clear.
8. What does trichomoniasis discharge look like?
If there are symptoms, the discharge in women is often yellow-green and may have a strong odor. Frothy texture is the giveaway, but not always present. In men, discharge is rare, most just don’t have any signs. Which means testing, not guessing, is the move.
9. Can I test for trich at home?
Absolutely. If you’d rather skip the clinic awkwardness, at-home test kits are discreet, easy, and accurate. No waiting room, no explaining yourself to a nurse who went to school with your cousin. Just results, in private, when you're ready.
10. Is trichomoniasis dangerous?
It's not deadly, but it's not nothing either. If not treated, trich can lead to complications, particularly among those with vaginas, or if you're pregnant. It also places you at risk more for other STDs, such as HIV. Good thing is: it's simple to treat and completely curable. No long-term saga, provided you take care of it.
How We Sourced This Article: This guide is informed by CDC recommendations, peer-reviewed studies, and clinical guidelines from infectious disease specialists and OB-GYNs. Around fifteen reputable sources helped shape this article, below, we’ve highlighted some of the most relevant and reader-friendly ones.
Sources
1. CDC , Trichomoniasis Treatment Guidelines
3. Diagnosis and Management of Trichomonas vaginalis , PMC
4. Mayo Clinic , Trichomoniasis: Symptoms & Causes
5. Trichomoniasis: Causes, Symptoms, Testing & Treatment , Medical News Today
About the Author
Dr. F. David, MD is a board-certified infectious disease specialist who has been diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted infections for more than 15 years. He wants to get rid of stigma and make it easier for people to get tested and get care, especially in communities that don't get enough attention.
Reviewed by: C. Mares, PA-C | Last medically reviewed: October 2025
This article is for informational purposes and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
