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Trichomoniasis

Hi, I was currently diagnosed with Trichomoniasis in August 2014. I had the standard treatment and seemed to get better but I got reinfected on day 6 of treatment. I told my doctor and was treated two times after that. My obgyn tells me now that I have Trich that is "inactive" like little spores. She isn't treating me with anything anymore. She said that the Trich isn't moving and doesn't have any DNA. It has also caused me to have UTI's and yeast infections. Is it still possible to get rid of the Trich if she isn't treating me? Or will I have to live with this forever? I asked if it could go away on its own and she said yes but it wasn't very reassuring. I'm really concerned of what will happen. She's not forthcoming with information and doesn't seem to have a plan. She just told me to come back in two months. What should I do? Please help, I'm very worried!
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Avatar universal
First, the most common treatment for trich, a single dose of metronidazole (Flagyl), is only 90% effective -- not bad, but it fails to work for one in ten cases. Tinidazole (Tindamax) is somewhat more effective. But the most reliable treatment is to take either of these drugs over 5-7 days.

Your ObG has provided you with peculiar and largely inaccurate information, or you misunderstood some things. There is no such thing as trichomonas spores, or of trich persisting in some sort of "inactive" form. And whether "active" or "inactive", trich itself is not know to increase the risk of UTI or yeast. It sounds to me like you simply have a relatively resistant case of trichomoniasis that needs more intensive treatment.

You definitely do not "have to live with this forever". Speak with your doctor to clarify what she has told you. Alternatively, ask for referral to a gynecologist who subspecializes in infectious diseases; or visit your local health department STD clinic or a Planned Parenthood clinic. Any of these will understand trich better than your doctor seems to. It may be that all you need is a more prolonged course of treatment.

Good luck!
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Avatar universal
That should be "I would NOT be able to judge its reliability". Sorry for the error.
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Avatar universal
"she said that it means its not moving and said its like little spores of trich. So she checked to see if there was any DNA left and there isn't."

Can you confirm that the DNA test was the Aptima brand trich test? If so, I would trust that result over the microscopic one. If it's some other (not FDA approved?) trich DNA test, I would be able to judge its reliability.

As I said above, there is no such thing as trichomonas "spores", and accurately diagnosing trich parasites under the microsope is very dicey, especially if they aren't moving. So probably you cured from trich and something else is causing your current symptoms. But to be maximally certain, it would be reasonable to have another DNA test (preferably Aptima) in a week or two. If that also is negative, then for sure you will need to look elsewhere for the cause of the problem.

As far as is known, trich in women resides only in the vagina, cervix, and accessory genital glands (Bartholin or Skene glands) (if unfamiliar, you can look them up). I am unaware of any surgical option.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for responding!! I just have a few more questions.The first round of metronidazole seemed to be getting better but I had sex on day 6 and they say to wait a full week so the medicine seemed to be working but my symptoms came back. I have taken three rounds of the single dose.  Twice of Metronidazole and once for Tindamax. Then a couple weeks later Metronidazole twice a day for seven days.  I saw no change in my symptoms.   When I realized that I wasn't getting better I went back to my obgyn, thats when they told me again that its "inactive". I told her I didn't know what that meant and she said that it means its not moving and said its like little spores of trich. So she checked to see if there was any DNA left and there isn't.  So i'm wondering if it has no DNA left can the medicine even treat it still or be effective? I'm guessing not because shes not treating me for it and if not how do I get better from this?

Also, because i'm concerned for my health, I read that if left untreated it can cause changes in the cervix (i.e. cervical cancer). If my obgyn doesn't continue to treat it, is that a possibility for me? I do plan on looking for a better obgyn in the meantime to hopefully get rid of this once and for all. Do you know where the trich resides in the female body and if there could be any surgical options to get rid of this?
Thank you for your help!
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