Home treatment for trichomoniasis

It is estimated that about 7 million people a year suffer from the infection known as trichomoniasis in the U.S. Apart from bacterial and yeast infections, trichomoniasis is a common infection of urogenital organs which can be treated and cured successfully. It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas Vaginalis that mostly inflicts the urethra and the vagina.

This parasite develops rapidly in the moisturized and warm places such as the urogenital tract. Both men and women can get the infection, but women are more inclined to get it. Men usually do not have any symptoms, but can feel pain in the penis or scrotum, pain with urination and slight secretions. On the other hand, women have more discomforts.

The vagina feels itchy, vaginal discharge of different color, yellowish or greenish, with a strong smell and foamy texture. Many women experience difficulties while urinating and pains in the lower parts of the stomach.

The infection is not to be disregarded since it can be risky to the health of female genital organs and if it recurs and is left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and in later stages even reproductive and fertility problems. If women are infected with Trichomonas vaginalis during pregnancy, the child can be born with a less than average weight.

Trichomoniasis is passed on from one person to another during sex. It also bears the risk of getting some other sexually transmitted diseases more easily. Studies have revealed that the HIV virus is easily passed with this infection. During any infection, the immune system tries to protect the organism by increasing the white blood cell count. The HIV virus affects these cells, which explains why HIV is transmitted easily.

A small clinical study proved that pomegranate juice helped women cure trichomoniasis completely. Pomegranate extract has an anti-parasitic effect and this is what it helps women heal trichomoniasis. [1] Another study describes that two capsules of myrrh (Commiphora molmol) for 6 to 8 days before breakfast on an empty stomach were given to women with trichomoniasis and the results were promising.[2] Another natural plant extract purified from (Roman) was in-vitro investigated for its efficacy against trichomoniasis vaginalis and it also gave promising results.[2] One study reports that Zinc sulfate douche was effective in a small group of women with trichomoniasis that was resistant to conventional drugs. The zinc sulfate solution was used as a vaginal douche and it was effective in nearly every patient who was given the douche.[3]

The vagina has good or friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus, which help it keep normal vaginal flora and PH value and protect it from unfriendly bacteria. Lactobacillus acidophilus can be found in certain yogurts, which is why yogurt is used for treating the infection. It can be used as a cream or even inserted into the vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus mixtures have proven to be effective in 80 percent of women with bacterial and Candida infections.

Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories were given to women with trichomoniasis for a year and the infection disappeared. Some pills containing billions of these friendly bacteria and taken every day for a month are more effective than antibiotics. Vitamin E oil can be used for up to two weeks to relieve the vagina membranes. Vitamin A can be taken either orally or inserted into the vagina to ease irritation. Vitamin A should not be used for more than seven days at a time.

Tea tree oil mixed with vitamin E oil can be applied topically or with a tampon soaked in the mixture inserted into the vagina. One to two tablespoons of some herbs like goldenseal, barberry and echinacea are mixed with a pint of water and used for vaginal douching. Fresh juice or tincture of Echinacea is also effective if one teaspoon is taken three times a day, because it strengthens the immune system and fights any infection.