Trich in Men: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment
Quick answer
Many men with trich have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear they can include itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urinating or ejaculating, and discharge from the penis. Trich is treated with oral antibiotic medicine prescribed by a clinician. The CDC says untreated infections can last from months to years, so testing and treatment make more sense than waiting.
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Having no symptoms is common with trich, so the last two matter as much as the first three. This is not a diagnosis, and only a test can confirm trich.
Trich can affect men too. Men can get it and pass it on, and many have no symptoms, which is why testing and treating partners together matters.
What are the symptoms of trich in men?
Most men have no symptoms. MedlinePlus says most men do not have symptoms, and the CDC says about 70% of people with trich have none.
When symptoms do appear, the CDC lists:
- Itching or irritation inside the penis
- Burning after urinating or ejaculating
- Discharge from the penis
The NHS also lists needing to pee often, and pain or soreness in the penis, testicles or bottom. The CDC guidelines note that men with trich sometimes develop inflammation of the urethra, epididymis or prostate. Symptoms can start 5 to 28 days after infection, but the CDC says others take much longer, and symptoms can come and go.
The CDC states it is not possible to diagnose trich from symptoms alone, so a test is needed to confirm it. To compare with other conditions, see chlamydia symptoms in men and burning when peeing.
How is trich in men tested?
Testing may use a swab of fluid from the penis or a urine sample, according to the NHS.
Testing is less settled for men. The CDC guidelines note that several trich tests are not FDA-cleared for use with specimens from men, and that labs should validate their own test before using it on urine or urethral swabs from men. The CDC also says that one rapid antigen test should not be used with men. If you order a test, check which test is used, and whether trich is included. See which test do I need for how panels differ.
What about home tests?
Check that a home kit lists trich before relying on it. A positive home result should be confirmed by a doctor or clinician, who can also advise on treatment and on telling partners. If you have symptoms or a partner has tested positive, see a doctor or clinician even after a negative home result. Our guide to at-home STD tests covers what to look for.
How is trich treated in men?
Trich is treated with oral antibiotic medicine prescribed by a clinician. The CDC calls it the most common curable STI. The exact medicine and schedule are for the clinician to choose, so don’t use leftover antibiotics or ones meant for someone else.
Three things matter as much as the medicine itself:
- Treat partners at the same time. The CDC says concurrent treatment of all sex partners is vital for preventing reinfections.
- Pause sex. The CDC advises not having sex until you and your partner(s) complete treatment.
- Know that you can catch it again. The CDC says reinfection occurs in about 1 in 5 people within 3 months after treatment, which can happen if you have sex without a condom with a person who has trich.
Does trich go away on its own in men?
The CDC says untreated infections might last from months to years. Because you can pass it on without symptoms, waiting to see if it settles risks keeping it in circulation. For how long a silent infection can last, see can trich lie dormant.
How do men get trich, and does a condom help?
Trich spreads through sexual contact. The CDC says it passes readily between partners during penile-vaginal sex, and the NHS lists skin-to-skin genital contact and sharing sex toys as well. The CDC says infection of other body parts, such as the mouth or anus, is uncommon.
The CDC says consistent and correct use of condoms (external or internal) is the best way to prevent genital trich. If you are unsure how you were exposed, a test result and your partner’s history can help you work that out.
Get care today if
- You have pain, swelling or redness in a testicle
- You have a fever or feel very unwell with genital symptoms
- You can't pass urine, or it is severely painful
- Your partner is pregnant and may have trich
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Otherwise, urgent care or your doctor can see you today.
When to test
- If you have symptoms, or a partner tests positiveOrder an STD test online that includes trich, and check that it covers men. A sample of fluid from the penis on a swab, or a urine sample, may be used. If a partner has trich, a doctor or clinician can arrange treatment: the CDC says current sex partners should be referred for presumptive therapy, so treatment can be arranged without waiting for your own result.
- After starting treatmentAvoid sex until you and your sex partner(s) have completed treatment, as the CDC advises. The NHS adds at least 1 week after finishing.
- About three months after treatmentFor women, the CDC recommends retesting about three months after treatment. For men, CDC guidelines say the data are insufficient to support retesting, so decide whether a retest makes sense for you, especially if you have symptoms again or a new exposure.
Common questions
Does trich cure itself in men?
The CDC says untreated infections might last from months to years, and the NHS says trich can cause serious complications if not treated. Even without symptoms, you can pass it on, so treatment is the safe route.
How accurate are home STD tests for trich?
If you use a home kit, check that it lists trich, and have a doctor or clinician confirm any positive result before treatment. The CDC says several trich tests are not FDA-cleared for use with specimens from men, and that one rapid test should not be used with men.
How is trich spread, and do condoms help?
The CDC says trich is readily passed between partners during penile-vaginal sex, and the NHS lists skin-to-skin genital contact and sharing sex toys. The CDC says infection of other body parts, such as the mouth or anus, is uncommon. The CDC says consistent and correct use of condoms (external or internal) is the best way to prevent genital trich.
Do I need treatment if my partner has trich and I feel fine?
Yes, you should be treated at the same time. The CDC says current sex partners should be referred for presumptive therapy, and the NHS says current and recent partners also need treatment. Many men have no symptoms, so feeling fine doesn't rule it out.
Sources
This guide is general information written by a patient advocate using public health sources. It is not a diagnosis. Only a clinician who examines you, or a lab test, can tell you what you have. Read how we write and check our guides.