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 a common infection that gets less attention than chlamydia or gonorrhea. The CDC describes it as the most common curable sexually transmitted infection. Many people who have it never notice anything.

This guide covers the organism behind it, trichomoniasis symptoms in people of every sex, how testing works, what trichomoniasis treatment involves, and where to get tested in Boston. It is written to be read alongside a conversation with a clinician, not in place of one.

a clinic sink and paper towel dispenser, no text

What causes trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. It is a single-celled parasite, not a bacterium or a virus. That difference matters because it affects which tests and medicines are used.

The parasite has whip-like tails called flagella that let it move. It lives in the genital tract. In people with a vagina, it is usually found in the vagina. In people with a penis, it is usually found in the urethra, the tube urine passes through.

Research suggests the parasite attaches to the lining of the genital tract and can trigger local inflammation. That inflammation is thought to explain many of the symptoms. It may also explain why the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note an association between trichomoniasis and a higher chance of getting HIV.

How it spreads

The CDC says trichomoniasis passes through genital contact, including vaginal sex and genital-to-genital contact. It does not need ejaculation to spread. People of any gender or orientation who have sex can get it.

It is not linked to cleanliness, and it says nothing about a person's character. It is an infection, and it can be tested for and treated.

How common is it?

The CDC estimates that millions of people in the United States have trichomoniasis at any given time. The CDC also reports that most people with the infection have no symptoms. That is the main reason testing matters.

The sources reviewed for this article did not include a Boston-only or Massachusetts rate for trichomoniasis. For local trends, the Boston Public Health Commission is the place to ask. For context, the CDC county data republished by Boston 25 News in March 2024 put chlamydia in Suffolk County, which contains Boston, at 807.8 per 100,000 people in 2021. That figure covers a different infection and a wider area than the city. It shows that STIs are a routine part of public health work here.

Trichomoniasis symptoms

Trichomoniasis symptoms vary a lot. Many people have none. Others notice symptoms within weeks, and some only after a long time. Symptoms alone cannot tell you which infection is present, because several STIs look alike. Only a test can.

In people with a vagina

According to the CDC, symptoms can include:

Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals
Discomfort when urinating
A change in vaginal discharge, such as more discharge, a different color or consistency, or a different smell
Discomfort during sex

In people with a penis

People with a penis are less likely to have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the CDC lists:

Itching or irritation inside the penis
Burning with urination or after ejaculation
Discharge from the penis

Symptoms that last

Some people have symptoms that come and go. Others have none for months or years while the infection remains. Someone with no symptoms can still pass it to a partner. A clinician can explain what a test result means.

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Why it matters beyond symptoms

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe several reasons clinicians take trichomoniasis seriously:

Research suggests it can raise the chance of getting HIV, likely because of genital inflammation.
In pregnancy, the guidelines note an association with preterm birth and lower birth weight. Pregnant people should talk with their prenatal clinician about testing and treatment.
It can occur alongside other STIs, which is one reason clinicians often discuss a full panel of tests. Our guide to chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Boston covers one of the most common of those.

These are observations from research. They describe patterns across many people, not what will happen to any one person.

How testing works

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend nucleic acid amplification tests, called NAATs, as a highly sensitive way to detect trichomoniasis. A NAAT looks for the genetic material of the parasite.

What the sample looks like

Depending on the clinic and the test, a sample may be:

A swab from the vagina, which the CDC notes can be collected by a clinician or, in many settings, by the patient
A urine sample
A swab or urine sample from a person with a penis, where the clinic offers it

The CDC guidelines note that testing in people with a penis is less commonly done, and that it is worth asking a clinician whether it is available.

Who may be offered testing

The CDC guidelines recommend testing for people with a vagina who have symptoms. They also suggest considering testing for people at higher risk, for example those with new or multiple partners or a history of STIs. For women with HIV, the CDC recommends screening at entry into care and then yearly. The USPSTF does not have a recommendation on routine trichomoniasis screening for the general population.

Timing and window periods

The CDC does not publish a firm window period for trichomoniasis the way it does for some other infections. If you are unsure when to test after a possible exposure, ask the clinic. A clinician can match the timing to the test they use.

Asking about trichomoniasis specifically

A "full STI panel" is not the same everywhere. For example, the Boston STD Clinic at Boston Medical Center describes its free routine testing as covering HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis C. Its page does not list trichomoniasis. When you book, ask directly whether trichomoniasis testing is included, or whether it is added for people with symptoms.

Trichomoniasis treatment

Trichomoniasis is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend a prescription antimicrobial from a group of medicines called nitroimidazoles. Only a clinician can prescribe it and decide which one fits you.

This guide does not list doses or schedules. The CDC guidelines note that the length of treatment can differ depending on the person, and the clinician will tell you how to take your medicine. Finish the full course even if symptoms fade.

Safety and what to tell your clinician

Research and the CDC guidelines support these safety points, which you can raise at any visit:

Allergies. Tell the clinician about any past reaction to medicines.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Clinicians weigh the options carefully. Say so if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are nursing.
Other medicines and alcohol. Ask the clinician or pharmacist whether anything you take, or drink, matters during treatment.
Side effects. Common ones reported for this medicine group include stomach upset and a metallic taste. Contact the clinic if something worries you.
HIV treatment. If you take HIV medicines or PrEP, tell the clinician so they can check for interactions.

Do not use leftover antibiotics or a partner's prescription. The wrong medicine can fail to clear the infection and delay a diagnosis.

Retesting and partner care

Retesting

Trichomoniasis can come back after treatment, often because a partner was not treated or because of a new exposure. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) advise that sexually active women who are treated be retested within three months. Clinicians may suggest retesting for others too. Ask the clinician who treats you what timing fits your situation.

Partners

The CDC advises that all recent sex partners be evaluated and treated. It also advises that people avoid sex until they and their partners have all been treated and symptoms are gone. A partner can be treated even if they feel fine, since many people have no symptoms.

Massachusetts has a law on expedited partner therapy, where a clinician can prescribe for a patient's partner without seeing them. The CDC's page on the law (M.G.L. c. 111, s. 121B and 105 CMR 700.003(J)) describes it as covering chlamydia. It does not say the law applies to trichomoniasis. Ask your clinician how they can help your partners get care, which may mean the partners visiting a clinic themselves.

You decide how to tell partners. Many people find a short, factual message works: you tested positive for a common, curable infection and they can get tested and treated.

Where to get tested in Boston

Many clinics in the city offer STI testing at no cost or at a reduced cost. The full list is on our Boston clinic list, and our guide to STD testing in Boston, where to get tested and what it costs goes into costs and what to expect. You can also use the CDC's directory at gettested.cdc.gov.

The clinics below publish the details shown. Confirm hours and which tests are offered by phone before you go, because pages can change.

Boston STD Clinic (Boston Medical Center), 725 Albany St., 9th Floor, Suite 9C, Boston. Phone 617-414-2803. The clinic's page lists free routine testing and cost assistance for people without insurance. It does not say whether walk-ins are accepted, so call to book.
Fenway Health Sexual Health Clinic, 1340 Boylston Street, 4th floor, Boston. Phone 617-267-0159. Fenway lists walk-in hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and appointments on Monday. It says results take 3 to 5 business days. Its page says uninsured patients can be seen free through grant funding, and that it bills insurance if you have it. The page is aimed at gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, transgender and gender diverse people, and their partners.
X-Clinic at Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington St., Dorchester. Phone 617-822-8350. Codman lists a sliding fee scale, accepts all insurance, and offers testing and treatment regardless of citizenship status. Its two pages list different hours, so call to confirm.
TrueCare@MAC testing (Multicultural AIDS Coalition), 9 Palmer Street, Roxbury. Phone 617-442-1622. Testing is listed with or without an appointment. Hours vary by day, including Saturday.
Boston Public Health Commission, 774 Albany St., Boston. Phone 617-534-3976. This listing comes from the CDC's GetTested directory, which lists free testing and says hours may change.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Greater Boston Health Center, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. Phone 617-295-7235. The CDC directory lists a sliding scale and says an appointment is required.
DotHouse Health, 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester. Phone 617-288-3230. The CDC directory lists sliding scale fees and Medicaid and Medicare. It also lists English, Portuguese and Spanish.

For general questions, the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 offers free, confidential, multilingual health information and referrals, according to the City of Boston.

Cost and quality: what to look for in a clinic

Price is not the only thing that makes a testing visit useful. These points are worth checking:

Does the clinic say clearly which infections it tests for, including trichomoniasis?
Does it use NAAT testing, and how long do results take?
Can it treat you on site or send a prescription if the result is positive?
Does it explain how it bills insurance, and what happens if you do not have any?
Is the information private? The Massachusetts Legislature (M.G.L. c. 111, s. 119) makes venereal disease reports and records non-public, with limited exceptions for courts and officials.

If you are a minor

Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 112, s. 12F) lets a minor who reasonably believes they are at risk of exposure from sexual activity consent to care to diagnose or treat the infection without a parent's consent. The City of Boston tells people 13 or older that they can get a confidential STI test without parental permission. The law has limits, including that a provider must notify a parent or guardian if the minor's life or limb is seriously endangered.

Questions to bring to your visit

Is trichomoniasis included in the tests you are offering me?
Which type of sample will you collect?
When should I expect results, and how will you reach me?
If treatment is needed, what should I avoid, and for how long?
When should I be retested?
How can my partners get care?

Key takeaways

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite and is curable with treatment from a clinician.
Many people have no symptoms, so symptoms alone do not settle the question.
NAAT testing is the method the CDC recommends, but not every clinic includes it in routine panels. Ask.
Retesting and partner care help prevent the infection from returning.
Boston has several free and low-cost options for testing.

Trichomoniasis: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Boston