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What are the Most Common Symptoms of Trichomoniasis in Men?

N. Ayers
N. Ayers

Symptoms of trichomoniasis in men are rare but might include irritation, burning and discharge from the penis. These symptoms can take more than two weeks to appear after an infection develops. Men usually get this sexually transmitted disease (STD) from infected partners and can unknowingly pass it to other partners if symptoms are not present.  

A parasitic microorganism called trichomonas vaginalis is the cause of trichomoniasis infections. The urethra is the most common site of a trichomoniasis infection in men, although this STD, also known as “trich,” is more difficult to detect in men than it is in women. Trichomonas can cause the urethra to become inflamed, becoming the source for most of the symptoms that men experience when they have this STD. This inflammation of the urethra is known as urethritis. An irritated urethra results in difficulties with urination, which is one of the most common symptoms of the disease in men. 

Caused by a parasite, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that strikes both men and women.
Caused by a parasite, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that strikes both men and women.

Urination might be uncomfortable, and men with trich can also experience a frequent urge to urinate, especially during morning hours. Additional symptoms of trichomoniasis in men include pain when urinating and burning sensations after urination. Discomfort during sex and burning after ejaculation are related symptoms that might be caused by irritation inside the penis. Discharge from the penis is also among the most common symptoms of trich in men. This discharge is usually thin, white and odorless but might only occur temporarily. 

A burning sensation during and after urination may be a sign of trichomoniasis in men.
A burning sensation during and after urination may be a sign of trichomoniasis in men.

Symptoms for trichomoniasis in men usually take between four and 20 days to appear. They often appear in men who are also infected with other STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is common for about half of the men infected with this disease to experience no symptoms. A urethral swab culture and urine test are used to diagnose trichomoniasis in men. Although symptoms of trich in men are commonly known to resolve on their own within three to six weeks, health experts still advise treatment. 

Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation in the urethra, which is the source for most symptoms that men experience.
Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation in the urethra, which is the source for most symptoms that men experience.

Men who get treatment can prevent spreading this infection to sexual partners. If left untreated, this disease can increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Men who do not detect symptoms of trichomoniasis early can also have additional complications, including an inflammation of the prostate gland, a condition known as prostatitis, and an inflamed bladder. This STD can also affect the male reproductive system, causing a painful condition called epididymitis. Some medical experts suggest that men infected with trichomoniasis are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Discussion Comments

Mor

@umbra21 - It's a bit of a generalization, but I think men prefer to just stay away from the doctor and hope for the best if they don't have any symptoms.

I try to think of it as being similar to getting your car checked out. If you're going to use it every day in strange territory, you need to make sure it's working right. And that goes double if there are strange fumes coming from the engine (metaphorically speaking!)

umbra21

@pleonasm - I agree that there are men (and women) who are too cavalier with sex and should be more responsible, I also think ultimately it comes down to each of us to be responsible for our own bodies. And that includes not just taking the word of a sex partner that they are clean because they've never had symptoms.

In fact that would be a huge red flag for me, because anyone who knows anything about STDs knows that a lot of things don't have symptoms in some people, but can have them in others. And other diseases don't have symptoms at all for anyone until you get really sick (HIV is a big one here).

I always insist on a full STD screening for both of us if we're going to start going without the condoms and I only go that far if we've been exclusive for at least a year. A trichomonas infection isn't even one of the bigger risks if you don't take care of yourself.

pleonasm

It really kind of sucks that there seem to be so many STDs that only really have symptoms for women. I've had a guy tell me after the fact that he had an STD (which, thankfully, I didn't get) but that he didn't realize it because it was asymptomatic in men.

I think if STD symptoms in men were always as bad as they are in women, they would be a little bit more considerate when it comes to spreading them around.

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    • Caused by a parasite, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that strikes both men and women.
      By: Syda Productions
      Caused by a parasite, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that strikes both men and women.
    • A burning sensation during and after urination may be a sign of trichomoniasis in men.
      By: Burlingham
      A burning sensation during and after urination may be a sign of trichomoniasis in men.
    • Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation in the urethra, which is the source for most symptoms that men experience.
      By: isyste
      Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation in the urethra, which is the source for most symptoms that men experience.
    • Some medical experts believe that men infected with trichomoniasis have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Some medical experts believe that men infected with trichomoniasis have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer.
    • Men who are treated for trichomoniasis can avoid passing it on to their sexual partners.
      By: Ivan Montero
      Men who are treated for trichomoniasis can avoid passing it on to their sexual partners.
    • Symptoms of trichomoniasis may include painful urination.
      By: arturas kerdokas
      Symptoms of trichomoniasis may include painful urination.
    • Symptoms of trichomoniasis often are seen in men with other STDs, including the HIV virus.
      By: designua
      Symptoms of trichomoniasis often are seen in men with other STDs, including the HIV virus.
    • Untreated trichomoniasis may have a negative impact on the male reproductive system.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Untreated trichomoniasis may have a negative impact on the male reproductive system.