Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsHome RemediesDo They Work?Other OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Home Remedies
Do They Work?
Other Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Trichomoniasisis a commonsexually transmitted infection(STI) spread through sex without a condom.
The symptoms of trichomoniasis can vary, and it’s estimated that only about 30% of individuals with the infection develop symptoms.Trichomoniasis infection is more common in women than in men. In women, the condition is usually found in the lower genital tract.
Trichomoniasis is curable and needs to be treated with antibiotics.Untreated trichomoniasis may lead to serious complications.
This article will provide an overview of possible home remedies to treat trichomoniasis and the recommended antibiotic treatments.
Alain Daussin / Getty Images
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No home remedy has been scientifically proven to be effective against trichomoniasis .
Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Women
Recognizing thesymptomsof trichomoniasis in women is often difficult because most do not develop symptoms. It’s estimated that about 70% of women with trichomoniasis display no signs. If symptoms are present, they usually develop within five to 28 days of becoming infected.
A common trichomoniasis symptom in women is newvaginal dischargethat is clear, white, yellow, or green. The discharge appears thin and usually has a fishy smell. Other possible symptoms include:
Trichomoniasis lasts in the body until it is treated with antibiotics. This infection can lead to serious complications and should be treated immediately.
Home Remedies for Trichomoniasis in Women
No home remedy has been proven to effectively treat or cure trichomoniasis.
Vinegar Douche
A vinegardoucheinvolves washing the vagina with vinegar and warm water. This home remedy is not considered safe and may lead to complications. Healthcare providers do not recommend douching because it can change the balance of bacteria in the vagina. This may lead to serious infections.
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Live-Culture Yogurt Douche
A live-culture yogurt douche uses live-culture yogurt to clean the vagina. Live-culture yogurt containsprobiotics. It is unsafe to use yogurt on or in the vagina because this could change the balance of bacteria present.
Black Tea
A study found that consuming black tea extract effectively slowed the growth ofTrichomonas vaginalisorganisms in trichomoniasis.Black tea may be a helpful treatment option because it does not affect the vagina’s normal balance of flora. While it inhibits the growth of parasites, black tea has not been proven to cure the infection.
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Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties. One study found that consuming garlic inhibits the growth of parasites in the body.Commercially available garlic may be a promising trichomoniasis treatment but requires further research.
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Pomegranate Juice or Extract
Consuming pomegranate extract may help to inhibit the growth ofTrichomonas vaginalisin the body. This home remedy does not affect the normal flora of the vagina.Further research is needed to understand if pomegranates or pomegranate extract is a viable treatment.
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Myrrh
Myrrh is a medicinal plant that has been found to impede the growth ofTrichomonas vaginalisin the body. One study found that myrrh may be a treatment option for women who have a metronidazole-resistant strain of trichomoniasis.Flagyl (metronidazole) is the recommended antibiotic for treating this infection.
Zinc Sulfate Douche
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Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a type ofpolyphenol, a compound found in plants and plant-based foods. Resveratrol has antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. These properties may help to treat trichomoniasis, especially when the infection does not respond to antibiotic therapy.
Basil
Basil oil has antiparasitic properties that may help to slow the spread ofTrichomonas vaginalis. However, a study found that basil and basil oil are ineffective substitutes for antibiotics when treating trichomoniasis.
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Tomato
Compounds found in tomatoes may have antiprotozoal properties that can suppress the growth ofTrichomonas vaginalis. A study found that consuming tomatoes to fight trichomoniasis was not as effective as the recommended medication Flagyl.
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Boric acid
Research shows thatboric acidsuppresses the growth ofTrichomonas vaginalis. Boric acid may be helpful in vaginal health because it can help to restore the naturally acidic pH of the vagina. A study found that boric acid may be helpful in treating trichomoniasis.
Do Home Remedies Actually Work?
There is insufficient evidence to conclude that home remedies work against trichomoniasis. If you develop symptoms of trichomoniasis or learn that a sexual partner has tested positive, it’s important to see your healthcare provider immediately.
When left untreated, trichomoniasis can lead to serious complications. Infection with trichomoniasis raises the risk of getting and spreading other STIs. This is because trichomoniasis causes inflammation of the genitals. In pregnant women, trichomoniasis increases the risk of premature labor and birth and low-birth-weight infants.
Causes and Risk Factors of STIs
Other Treatment Options
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI.It is treated with an oral antibiotic.
The treatment for trichomoniasis is 500 milligrams of Flagyl taken twice daily for seven days. It is recommended to refrain from sexual activity during treatment and to be tested again three months after treatment.
Trichomoniasis has a relatively high recurrence rate since it can be passed through condomless sex. About 1 in 5 individuals treated for trichomoniasis are estimated to develop the infection again within three months.
How Trichomoniasis Is Treated
The only way to prevent trichomoniasis is to avoid sexual activity. If you are sexually active, the safest options are to use condoms or remain in a long-term monogamous relationship.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
When you have a health condition such as trichomoniasis, it’s common to be curious about home remedies. Many individuals prefer natural remedies and try to avoid the use of antibiotics if they’re not necessary. It is important to note that no scientific evidence backs home remedies as an effective way to treat trichomoniasis. If you have developed symptoms or learned that a sexual partner has this infection, it’s important to see your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, trichomoniasis will not go away on its own. Trichomoniasis is a bacterial infection and requires antibiotics to treat it.If trichomoniasis is left untreated, it can lead to complications. Possible complications include painful sexual intercourse and an increased risk of contracting STIs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Trichomoniasis can be cured with a seven-day course of antibiotic medication. Without antibiotic treatment, trichomoniasis can last for years.
No, trichomoniasis will not go away on its own. Trichomoniasis is a bacterial infection and requires antibiotics to treat it.
If trichomoniasis is left untreated, it can lead to complications. Possible complications include painful sexual intercourse and an increased risk of contracting STIs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Trichomoniasis can be cured with a seven-day course of antibiotic medication. Without antibiotic treatment, trichomoniasis can last for years.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - trichomoniasis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Noritake SM, Liu J, Kanetake S, et al.Phytochemical-rich foods inhibit the growth of pathogenic trichomonads.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):461. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1967-xIbrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (Tomex®) on Trichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013 May;112(5):2063-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6El-Sherbiny GM, El Sherbiny ET.The Effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) in Treatment of Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection.Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011;13(7):480-486.Byun JM, Jeong DH, Kim YN, Lee KB, Sung MS, Kim KT.Experience of successful treatment of patients with metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis with zinc sulfate: A case series.Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Oct;54(5):617-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.08.018Mallo N, Lamas J, Leiro JM.Hydrogenosome metabolism is the key target for antiparasitic activity of resveratrol against Trichomonas vaginalis.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jun;57(6):2476-84. doi:10.1128/AAC.00009-13Ezz Eldin HM, Badawy AF.In vitro anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Pistacia lentiscus mastic and Ocimum basilicum essential oil.J Parasit Dis. 2015;39(3):465-473. doi:10.1007/s12639-013-0374-6Liu J, Kanetake S, Wu YH, Tam C, Cheng LW, Land KM, Friedman M.Antiprotozoal Effects of the Tomato Tetrasaccharide Glycoalkaloid Tomatine and the Aglycone Tomatidine on Mucosal Trichomonads.J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Nov 23;64(46):8806-8810. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04030Brittingham A, Wilson WA.The antimicrobial effect of boric acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Dec;41(12):718-22. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000203Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis - STI treatment guidelines.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - trichomoniasis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Noritake SM, Liu J, Kanetake S, et al.Phytochemical-rich foods inhibit the growth of pathogenic trichomonads.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):461. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1967-xIbrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (Tomex®) on Trichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013 May;112(5):2063-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6El-Sherbiny GM, El Sherbiny ET.The Effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) in Treatment of Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection.Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011;13(7):480-486.Byun JM, Jeong DH, Kim YN, Lee KB, Sung MS, Kim KT.Experience of successful treatment of patients with metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis with zinc sulfate: A case series.Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Oct;54(5):617-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.08.018Mallo N, Lamas J, Leiro JM.Hydrogenosome metabolism is the key target for antiparasitic activity of resveratrol against Trichomonas vaginalis.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jun;57(6):2476-84. doi:10.1128/AAC.00009-13Ezz Eldin HM, Badawy AF.In vitro anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Pistacia lentiscus mastic and Ocimum basilicum essential oil.J Parasit Dis. 2015;39(3):465-473. doi:10.1007/s12639-013-0374-6Liu J, Kanetake S, Wu YH, Tam C, Cheng LW, Land KM, Friedman M.Antiprotozoal Effects of the Tomato Tetrasaccharide Glycoalkaloid Tomatine and the Aglycone Tomatidine on Mucosal Trichomonads.J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Nov 23;64(46):8806-8810. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04030Brittingham A, Wilson WA.The antimicrobial effect of boric acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Dec;41(12):718-22. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000203Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis - STI treatment guidelines.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - trichomoniasis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Noritake SM, Liu J, Kanetake S, et al.Phytochemical-rich foods inhibit the growth of pathogenic trichomonads.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):461. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1967-xIbrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (Tomex®) on Trichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013 May;112(5):2063-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6El-Sherbiny GM, El Sherbiny ET.The Effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) in Treatment of Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection.Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011;13(7):480-486.Byun JM, Jeong DH, Kim YN, Lee KB, Sung MS, Kim KT.Experience of successful treatment of patients with metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis with zinc sulfate: A case series.Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Oct;54(5):617-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.08.018Mallo N, Lamas J, Leiro JM.Hydrogenosome metabolism is the key target for antiparasitic activity of resveratrol against Trichomonas vaginalis.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jun;57(6):2476-84. doi:10.1128/AAC.00009-13Ezz Eldin HM, Badawy AF.In vitro anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Pistacia lentiscus mastic and Ocimum basilicum essential oil.J Parasit Dis. 2015;39(3):465-473. doi:10.1007/s12639-013-0374-6Liu J, Kanetake S, Wu YH, Tam C, Cheng LW, Land KM, Friedman M.Antiprotozoal Effects of the Tomato Tetrasaccharide Glycoalkaloid Tomatine and the Aglycone Tomatidine on Mucosal Trichomonads.J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Nov 23;64(46):8806-8810. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04030Brittingham A, Wilson WA.The antimicrobial effect of boric acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Dec;41(12):718-22. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000203Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis - STI treatment guidelines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - trichomoniasis.
Office on Women’s Health.Douching.
Noritake SM, Liu J, Kanetake S, et al.Phytochemical-rich foods inhibit the growth of pathogenic trichomonads.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):461. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1967-x
Ibrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (Tomex®) on Trichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013 May;112(5):2063-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6
El-Sherbiny GM, El Sherbiny ET.The Effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) in Treatment of Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection.Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011;13(7):480-486.
Byun JM, Jeong DH, Kim YN, Lee KB, Sung MS, Kim KT.Experience of successful treatment of patients with metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis with zinc sulfate: A case series.Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Oct;54(5):617-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.08.018
Mallo N, Lamas J, Leiro JM.Hydrogenosome metabolism is the key target for antiparasitic activity of resveratrol against Trichomonas vaginalis.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jun;57(6):2476-84. doi:10.1128/AAC.00009-13
Ezz Eldin HM, Badawy AF.In vitro anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Pistacia lentiscus mastic and Ocimum basilicum essential oil.J Parasit Dis. 2015;39(3):465-473. doi:10.1007/s12639-013-0374-6
Liu J, Kanetake S, Wu YH, Tam C, Cheng LW, Land KM, Friedman M.Antiprotozoal Effects of the Tomato Tetrasaccharide Glycoalkaloid Tomatine and the Aglycone Tomatidine on Mucosal Trichomonads.J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Nov 23;64(46):8806-8810. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04030
Brittingham A, Wilson WA.The antimicrobial effect of boric acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Dec;41(12):718-22. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000203
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis - STI treatment guidelines.
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