Trichomonas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Trichomonas (trichomoniasis or “trich”) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, it’s regularly diagnosed in local clinics and primary care offices, especially among people with vaginas.

Because many people have no symptoms, regular STI testing is important if you’re sexually active in the Grand Rapids area.

Who Gets Trichomonas?

Trichomonas is detected more often in people with vaginas than in people with a penis. However, anyone who is sexually active can get trichomonas, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

In Grand Rapids, STI rates can be influenced by:

  • Limited access to regular healthcare for some neighborhoods
  • Stigma around sexual health discussions
  • Inconsistent condom use, especially among young adults and college students

Local healthcare providers such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health regularly test for and treat trichomonas.

Symptoms of Trichomonas

Many People Don’t Have Any Symptoms

Most people with trichomonas in Grand Rapids have no symptoms at all. You can still pass the infection to sexual partners even if you feel completely well.

When Symptoms Do Occur

If you have a vagina, symptoms may include:

  • Vaginal or vulvar itching or irritation
  • Burning or discomfort in the genital area
  • A yellow‑green, “frothy” vaginal discharge
  • An unpleasant vaginal odor
  • Discomfort or pain during sex
  • Burning during urination

If you have a penis, you may:

  • Have no symptoms but still carry and pass on the infection
  • Notice discharge from the penis
  • Feel burning during urination
  • Have irritation inside the penis

Because Michigan’s cold winters and dry indoor heating can already cause irritation of skin and mucous membranes, it can be easy to mistake mild trichomonas symptoms for simple dryness or irritation. If you’re unsure, get tested.

How Trichomonas Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you live in Grand Rapids or Kent County, you can be tested for trichomonas at:

  • Your primary care provider (family doctor or internist)
  • OB/GYN clinics
  • Urgent care centers
  • Local STI/sexual health clinics
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

If You Have a Vagina

A clinician will usually perform:

  • A pelvic (vaginal) examination
  • A vaginal swab to test for Trichomonas vaginalis

This can often be done at the same time as testing for other STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

If You Have a Penis

Testing usually involves:

  • A swab from the urethra (opening of the penis) if discharge is present
  • A urine sample if there is no discharge

Your sample is sent to a lab—often through large local systems like Spectrum Health or Trinity Health—for analysis.

Treatment for Trichomonas

Antibiotics Are Used to Treat Trichomonas

Trichomonas is usually treated with an antibiotic called metronidazole (brand name Flagyl). This is a very common and effective treatment used throughout Michigan.

Typical treatment regimens may include:

  • For people with a vagina:

    • Metronidazole 400 mg oral tablet, twice daily for 7 days, taken with food

  • For people with a penis:

    • Metronidazole 2 g (2000 mg) as a single oral dose (your provider may also choose a 7‑day course depending on your situation)

Your exact dose and schedule should always be determined by a healthcare professional.

Important: Avoid Alcohol

While taking metronidazole, do not drink alcohol and avoid it for at least 48 hours after your last dose. Combining alcohol with metronidazole can cause:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Flushing
  • Headache
  • Stomach cramps

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects of metronidazole can include:

  • A metallic taste in your mouth (this usually goes away after treatment)
  • Mild nausea or upset stomach
  • Temporary stomach discomfort

If you have severe side effects or an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing), contact a Grand Rapids urgent care or emergency department right away.

Preventing Reinfection and Protecting Partners

Treat All Sexual Partners

If you are diagnosed with trichomonas in Grand Rapids:

  • All of your sexual partners (regular and casual) from the last few months should be:
    • Informed
    • Tested
    • Treated

This is essential because:

  • They may have no symptoms but still carry the infection
  • They can reinfect you if they are not treated
  • They could unknowingly pass it to others

Avoid Sex Until Treatment Is Complete

To prevent passing trichomonas back and forth:

  • Avoid sexual contact until at least one week after treatment starts and all symptoms are gone
  • If your partner starts treatment later than you, wait one week after the date they started before having sex again

Use Condoms to Reduce Risk

After treatment, the best way to protect yourself and your partners from trichomonas and other STIs is to use:

  • External (male) condoms
  • Internal (female) condoms

Use condoms consistently and correctly during:

  • Vaginal sex
  • Anal sex
  • Oral sex (with barriers such as condoms or dental dams when appropriate)

This is especially important in areas with higher STI rates and among sexually active young adults in Grand Rapids.

Recurrent or Persistent Trichomonas

When Trichomonas Comes Back

Occasionally, trichomonas may:

  • Recur after initial treatment
  • Persist if:
    • The full course of antibiotics wasn’t completed
    • A partner wasn’t treated and reinfected you
    • The dose wasn’t strong enough for your specific case

What to Do

If symptoms come back or you test positive again:

  • See your GP or a local sexual health provider
  • They may prescribe:
    • A longer course of metronidazole
    • A different dosing schedule
    • Additional testing for other STIs

Getting re-tested is important, especially if you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Trichomonas and Pregnancy

Trichomonas during pregnancy may be linked to:

  • Premature (early) birth
  • Low birth weight babies

If you are pregnant or think you might be and live in Grand Rapids:

  • Tell your OB/GYN, midwife, or family doctor if you have symptoms or a partner with trichomonas
  • Ask about safe testing and treatment options during pregnancy

Local maternity and women’s health services through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health can provide pregnancy‑safe care.

Partner Notification in Grand Rapids

Why Telling Partners Matters

Letting your current and recent partners know that you have trichomonas:

  • Helps them get tested and treated
  • Prevents reinfection for you
  • Reduces the spread of STIs in the Grand Rapids community

Most people appreciate being told honestly and respectfully that they may have been exposed to an infection.

How to Tell Your Partners

You can:

  • Talk to them in person or by phone
  • Send a text message or email
  • Ask your healthcare provider for help with wording

Local clinics and public health nurses can help you with confidential partner notification, and in some cases, they can notify partners anonymously.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Trichomonas Testing and Treatment

If you live, work, or go to school in Grand Rapids, you can get help with trichomonas and other sexual health concerns at:

Primary Care and Hospital Systems

  • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) – primary care, OB/GYN, urgent care, and infectious disease services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – family medicine, women’s health, and STI testing
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health – outpatient clinics and urgent care
  • Mercy Health – community clinics and women’s health services

Contact your usual doctor or visit a walk‑in or urgent care clinic if you don’t have a regular provider.

Public Health Services

  • Kent County Health Department
    • Offers STI testing, treatment, and counseling
    • Can assist with partner notification and follow‑up
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • Provide youth‑friendly, low‑cost, or sliding‑scale services

Check their websites or call ahead for information on:

  • Appointment times
  • Walk‑in availability
  • Costs and insurance options

Pharmacies

Local pharmacies (Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, independent pharmacies) across Grand Rapids can:

  • Fill prescriptions for metronidazole
  • Counsel you on side effects, alcohol avoidance, and medication timing

Sexual Health in the Grand Rapids & Michigan Context

Living in West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, means:

  • Cold winters and indoor heating can cause dryness and irritation, which may mask or mimic mild genital symptoms
  • Access to lakes and summer recreation can increase sexual activity during warmer months, making regular STI screening important year‑round
  • Diverse communities and college populations mean different levels of awareness about STIs like trichomonas

Protecting your sexual health in Grand Rapids includes:

  • Routine STI screening if you’re sexually active
  • Using condoms consistently
  • Having open conversations with partners
  • Following through with treatment and partner notification

Key Points About Trichomonas in Grand Rapids

  • Many people with trichomonas have no symptoms, but can still spread the infection.
  • When symptoms are present, they may include:
    • Vaginal or vulvar itching
    • Burning, unusual discharge, and unpleasant odor
  • People with a penis often don’t develop symptoms, but can be carriers. Some may have discharge or burning when they urinate.
  • Trichomonas is treated with antibiotics (usually metronidazole) prescribed by a healthcare provider.
  • Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after your last dose of metronidazole.
  • Metronidazole may cause a metallic taste in your mouth and mild stomach upset, which usually goes away after treatment.
  • All recent sexual partners should be informed, tested, and treated to prevent reinfection.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids—such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and the Kent County Health Department—offer confidential STI testing and treatment.

If you think you may have trichomonas or have been exposed, contact a Grand Rapids healthcare provider or local public health clinic to arrange testing and treatment. Early care protects you, your partners, and the broader West Michigan community.