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.
Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Women
Recognizing the symptoms of 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 new vaginal discharge that is clear, white, yellow, or green. The discharge appears thin and usually has a fishy smell. Other possible symptoms include:
Irritation Itching Burning Redness Painful urination (dysuria)
Home Remedies for Trichomoniasis in Women
No home remedy has been proven to effectively treat or cure trichomoniasis.
Vinegar Douche
A vinegar douche involves 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.
Live-Culture Yogurt Douche
A live-culture yogurt douche uses live-culture yogurt to clean the vagina. Live-culture yogurt contains probiotics. 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 of Trichomonas vaginalis organisms 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.
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.
Pomegranate Juice or Extract
Consuming pomegranate extract may help to inhibit the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in 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.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a medicinal plant that has been found to impede the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in 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
A small study found that using zinc sulfate in a douche had a therapeutic effect on metronidazole-resistant vaginal trichomoniasis. However, it is important to note that douching is not recommended by healthcare providers because of the risk of serious side effects.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol, 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 of Trichomonas vaginalis. However, a study found that basil and basil oil are ineffective substitutes for antibiotics when treating trichomoniasis.
Tomato
Compounds found in tomatoes may have antiprotozoal properties that can suppress the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis. A study found that consuming tomatoes to fight trichomoniasis was not as effective as the recommended medication Flagyl.
Boric acid
Research shows that boric acid suppresses the growth of Trichomonas 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.
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.
Summary
Trichomoniasis is a common STI. This infection is spread by having sex without a condom. Symptoms may include irritation, itching, burning, redness, painful urination, and vaginal discharge. Trichomoniasis is curable and needs to be treated with antibiotic therapy. No home remedy has been proven to treat or cure trichomoniasis effectively.
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.
