Budapest (Hungary) – Who is at sex infected with trichomonads, often don’t even notice it. This is an infection with the parasites that the mucous membranes in the urethra and vagina in particular are affected and must be taken seriously.
Every year around 180 million people worldwide become infected with trichomonads. This can be a problem, especially for women. © 123rf.com/ruigsantos
Not much is known about the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis. The disease, which occurs frequently worldwide, is apparently more dangerous than previously assumed.
A new study suggests there may be a link between trichomoniasis and cancer. The researchers warned that trichomoniasis can increase the risk of cervical cancer in women by up to five times.
This is mainly due to the fact that the disease usually goes undetected and, like a “silent killer”, can lead to cancer, reports Mirror. There are signs and they are similar to the symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases.
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In women, these include noticeable vaginal discharge (thick, thin, frothy, yellow-green, unpleasant smell), pain, swelling and itching around the vagina and sometimes on the inner thighs. This also includes pain when urinating or having sex.
Men experience pain when urinating or during ejaculation, need to pee more often, may have a thin, white discharge from the penis, and pain, swelling, and redness around the head of the penis or the foreskin.
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Increased risk of also having human papillomavirus
Trichomonas are mainly transmitted through unprotected sex or through sharing sex toys between people. © 123rf.com/grinvalds
In a study involving nearly half a million women, the scientists also found that women infected with the parasite were almost 80 percent more likely to have human papillomavirus (HPV). But first things first.
The experts from Hungary analyzed samples taken from 473,740 women over the past 15 years. The study, the results of which International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics published is considered the first of its kind.
Research on it spanned four continents and the results showed that 8,518 of the women – which is about 1.8 percent – had trichomoniasis.
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The scientists found that women with trichomoniasis were 79 percent more likely to also get HPV than women without the infection.
The lead researcher, Dr. Balázs Hamar, an obstetrics and gynecology expert at Semmelweis University in Budapest, explained that this is because the infection causes inflammation and destruction of the top layer of cells in the cervix, providing a favorable environment for pathogens such as HPV.
Human papillomaviruses are a group of viruses that can lead to abnormal cell growth in humans and can cause precancerous lesions, cancer and genital warts. More than 200 HPV types are known, of which at least 14 can have cancer-causing effects. © 123rf.com/adiruch
As “Mirror” further reports, scientists have now developed an inexpensive and easy-to-use test that is intended to help identify a trichomonas infection. The test is carried out by pricking the finger. When the disease is diagnosed, antibiotics are usually prescribed, which quickly cure the infection.