Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about trichomoniasis and you can find written notes on this topic at zero tofinals

dot com slash trichomoniasis or in the genitone urinary medicine section of theitoneiroirinic medicine section of the zero definals

obstetrics and gynecology book so let's get straight into it trichomonas vaginalis is a type of parasite

spread through sexual intercourse trichomonis is classed as a protozoan, which is a single-celled organism.

It has flagella, which are appendages stretching away from the body similar to limbs.

Trichomonas has four flagella at the front and a single flagellum at the back, giving a characteristic appearance to the organism.

The flagella are used for movement, attaching to tissues and causing damage.

Trichomonas is spread through sexual activity. It lives in the urethra and the vagina.

Being infected with trichomonas can increase the risk of contracting HIV

because it damages the vaginal mucosa, bacterial vaginosis, cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease

and pregnancy-related complications such as preterm delivery.

So let's talk about the presentation.

Up to 50% of cases of trichomoniasis are asymptomatic.

When symptoms occur, they're non-specific, with vaginal discharge, itching, dysuria or painful urination,

dysparanunia, which is painful sex, and balinitis, which is inflammation to the glands penis.

The typical description of the vaginal discharge is frothy and yellow-green in colour, although this can vary significantly.

The discharge may have a fishy smell.

Examination of the cervix can reveal a characteristic strawberry cervix, also called colpitus macularis.

A strawberry cervix is caused by inflammation or servicitis relating to the trichomonas infection.

There are tiny hemorrhages across the surface of the cervix which gives it the appearance of a strawberry.

Testing the vaginal pH will reveal a raised pH above 4.5, similar to bacterial vaginosis.

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