Trichomoniasis is an STD, or a sexually transmitted disease. But are there other ways of being infected with this disease? Can a UTI cause trichomoniasis?
Read on to find out more about what causes these conditions, and how they are related to one another.
What is a UTI?
Before we talk about whether or not a UTI can cause trichomoniasis, we first need to talk about what UTI is.
UTI stands for a urinary tract infection. As the name suggests, it happens when a person’s urinary tract gets infected. The usual culprit for UTI is bacteria, but other microorganisms can cause an infection.
The usual symptoms of urinary tract infection include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- A burning sensation while peeing
- Frequent urination
- “Balisawsaw”
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy and/or smelly urine
- difficulty urinating
If left untreated, UTI can lead to serious complications. It’s possible for the infection to go up the urinary tract and cause problems in a person’s kidneys. This condition is called pyelonephritis.
A number of things can cause a person to have UTI. Sexually transmitted disease can sometimes be the culprit, while in some cases, poor hygiene is to blame.
Urinary Tract Infection Facts: All You Need to Know
What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis, or trich, is a fairly common STD. Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled protozoan, is the parasite that causes trich.
The symptoms of trich usually include a foul-smelling discharge coming from the vagina or penis. People with trich can also experience a burning sensation when urinating, irritation or itchiness of the genitals, or even soreness or swelling of the genitals.
This happens because the parasite infects a person’s urinary tract. This causes it to become inflamed and triggers the usual symptoms associated with trich.
It’s also possible for a person with trich to not have any symptoms at all. This is much more common among men and can be risky because they can easily spread the disease to others.
Because the symptoms of trich are similar to other STDs, it can sometimes be mistaken for gonorrhea or chlamydia. This can cause some people who have STDs to mistake their condition as just a urinary tract infection.
As a result, they can become carriers of STDs, and spread it to other people.
Can UTI Cause Trichomoniasis?
With regard to the question of “Can a UTI cause trichomoniasis?”, the answer is no. UTIs on their own cannot cause an STD.
However, having an STD can cause a person to have a urinary tract infection. What this means is that whatever microorganism is responsible for an STD, such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, can also be responsible for causing a UTI.
If you’re sexually active, it’s a good idea to get tested if you have a UTI. This is because your condition might be caused by an STD, so it would be best to get yourself checked as soon as possible.
It would also be good to inform your partner about your condition, so that they can get tested as well.
Can You Get Trichomoniasis Without Having Sex?
Surprisingly, there are some ways to get infected with trich, even if you are not sexually active.
According to one study conducted in Zambia, infected bathwater and toilet seats might have caused non-sexual transmission of trichomoniasis. Additionally, there is some evidence that the parasite can live outside the body for short periods of time.
However, cases like these are exceedingly rare, and can easily be prevented with proper hygiene.
Key Takeaways
Having a urinary tract infection does not always mean that you have an STD. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution, especially if you’re sexually active.
If you experience any symptoms of a UTI or STD, consult your doctor as soon as possible. It would also be a good idea to undergo an STD test to make sure that you’re free from any STD.
Learn more about Trichomoniasis here.
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