infections
Trichomoniasis
Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
Examination and sometimes culture of a sample of the discharge or urine Doctors suspect trichomoniasis in the following people: Women with Overview of Vaginitis (Vaginal Infection or Inflammation) as well as their sex partners Men with Urethritis as well as their sex partners The organism is much more difficult to detect in men than in women. In women, the diagnosis can usually be made quickly by examining a sample of the vaginal discharge with a microscope and identifying the organism. If results are unclear, the sample is cultured for several days. In men, a sample of the discharge from the end of the penis (obtained in the morning, before urination) may be examined under a microscope and sent to the laboratory for culture. Alternatively, doctors sometimes do tests to identify the organism’s unique genetic material (DNA or RNA) using techniques that increase the amount of the bacteria's genetic material. These tests are called nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATS). These techniques make the organisms easier to detect. Occasionally, microscopic examination of the urine detectsTrichomonas, but identification is more likely if a urine culture is done. Tests for other STIs are usually also done because people with trichomoniasis may also have Gonorrhea or a 