There are several well-known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Although people aren’t usually clear on the mechanisms of all these diseases, they do know their names and that they are best avoided. Even less commonly known ones such as human papillomavirus and hepatitis C have bad raps, and people take steps to avoid them where possible.

What about STDs such as trichomoniasis, though? This disease is far from well-known, and the fact that so many people lack understanding of it makes it more likely to pass through the population. Sadly, this disease can have devastating consequences, says the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

“In the United States, an estimated 3.7 million people have trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of getting or spreading HIV, and pregnant women with the infection are more likely to have their babies too early (preterm delivery) and with a low birth weight.” (1)

That makes it super important that you understand the ins and outs of this disease, how to avoid getting and passing it on, and the importance of testing.

What Is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Its presence in the United States “is estimated to be 2.3 million (3.1%) among women ages 14-49, based on a nationally representative sample of women who participated in NHANES 2001–2004.” The study also found that 85 percent of women with the disease had no symptoms, that women who have never had intercourse still get the disease at a rate of 1 percent of all women who have it. Moreover, pregnant women can get it, representing more than 3 percent of the infected population. (2)

Also known as “trich,” this STD is transmitted through oral, anal and vaginal intercourse. However, intercourse is not necessary for the spread of the disease, which can also transmit through genital touching or rubbing. A man does not need to “finish” in order to spread the disease to his partner. Because of this, the possibility of trich infection should be treated with extreme care. (3)

How Can You Avoid Trich?

The best way to avoid this disease is to practice safe sex, which means wearing protection, sleeping with partners you have vetted, making sexual choices when sober, having one partner at a time, and getting tested regularly yourself. Especially considering its asymptomatic nature and the fact that it can have complications for pregnancy, you should do this at every stage of life.

Why Should You Get Tested for Trichomoniasis?

For one thing, it’s important to get tested so you can avoid complications in pregnancy and the increased risk of getting or spreading HIV. For another, by getting tested, you dramatically decrease the chances of giving the infection to someone else. If you think of a vector map, where every infected person is a hotspot who can infect multiple partners, each of whom can infect multiple partners as well, stopping the spread with just one person can potentially limit dozens or hundreds of infections all over the world. Worth it, right?

When you get tested regularly, you spot trichomoniasis early and can treat it right away. This is very simple, says the CDC: “Trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of prescription antibiotic medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole), pills which can be taken by mouth. It is okay for pregnant women to take this medication.” The worst thing that might happen is that “Some people who drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking this kind of antibiotic can have uncomfortable side effects.” (4)

Also, you can get trichomoniasis again. This disease isn’t like flu or chicken pox, against which you develop an immunity after having had it. You can get reinfected as many times as you sleep with an infected partner, which makes routine testing critical every time you switch sexual partners.

African American women are especially susceptible to trichomoniasis, which infection rates of 13.3 percent, compared to white women who are infected at only 1.3 percent of the population and Mexican American women who have a 1.8 percent infection rate. (5)

You’ll be happy to know that home test kits have come a long way, now giving you the option to test yourself for STDs in the comfort and privacy of your own home, without a doctor’s help or oversight. These tests are simple to order and simple to use, and will change the way you look at your sexual health for the rest of your life.

How Does a Home Test Kit Work?

Home test kits use the same methods as doctors use in hospitals and clinics to assess the presence of STDs. You can trust them to be completely reliable and give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your sexual health, with less time spending traveling to and from appointments, less money spent, fewer health insurance hassles and considerably more privacy. Here’s how it works:

  1. Order the iDNA test kit online securely and privately. The kit arrives at your front door in an unmarked box and registers on your card statement discreetly.
  2. Follow the clear instructions in the kit to get a sample.
  3. Send the sample in to iDNA’s secure and certified lab, which uses the same procedures and methods used by the labs physicians and hospitals use.
  4. Register through the website so you can log into your own private portal whenever you want to track your test’s progress and get your results.
  5. Once you have your results, you can sleep soundly in the knowledge that your test came back negative, or use a positive result to motivate proactive action for your sexual health – and that of your past, present and future partners.
  6. Retest as often as necessary to continue to ensure your sexual health.

See? It really doesn’t get much easier than that. All you have to do now is order the kit.

Have Questions?

One of the best things about iDNA’s product is that it’s also a service. At any point along the way, before or during or after testing, you are welcome to ask any and all questions you might have. We maintain a large staff of medical experts and technologists who can answer your queries and give you whatever peace of mind is possible. We’re always here for you. Now it’s time to be here for yourself and order your kit today.

References:

IDNA LOGO

by AtHomeSTDKit

All content is written by the staff at AtHomeSTDKit.com.
If you have any questions about this or other articles, please contact us.