Trichomoniasis (trich) is treated with an oral antiprotozoal medicine, such as metronidazole or tinidazole. The medicine is taken either as a single dose or as multiple doses.
Your sex partner(s) should be treated at the same time you are being treated. This increases the cure rate and reduces the possibility of further transmission or reinfection. Sexual intercourse should be avoided during treatment until symptoms are gone and until partners have been treated. It is best to avoid sex for 1 week after treatment with a single dose of metronidazole. Male partners may not have symptoms but still need treatment.
People who are infected with HIV receive the same treatment for trich as those who are HIV-negative.
Trichomoniasis during pregnancy raises the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and premature delivery. Treating the infection may not always reduce this risk, but it can relieve symptoms and prevent infection in the newborn. If you are pregnant and have trichomoniasis, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of treatment.
Vaginal suppositories and creams aren’t effective in curing trich, but they may reduce discomfort and swelling in the genital area.