Can you get Trichomonas without having sex?

A less-common infection, Trichomonas, can be even more problematic in this regard. The lack of detailed public information aboutthis infection, can sow mistaken impressions about how it spreads.

In particular, Better2Know’s phone lines have come alight with questions recently about whether someone can get Trichomonas on their own – without any sexual activity.

Is this possible? Keep reading to find out

Let’s start with the basics.

Trichomonas is a sexually transmitted infection, but unlike Chlamydia and HIV, which are caused by bacteria and viruses, respectively, Trichomonas is caused by a parasitic protozoan called Trichomonas vaginalis.

When contracted, this parasite infects the vagina in women and the urinary tract in both women and men. It can cause symptoms like:

• Pain during urination
• In women:
  • A frothy vaginal discharge with a “fishy” odour
  • Vaginitis
  • Discomfort or pain during sex in the vagina and vulva
• In men:
  • Increased urination
  • Abnormal thin white discharge that can irritate the head of the penis
  • Balanitis (redness around the head of the penis)
  • Inflammation of the prostate, and difficulty urinating

Most people who get Trichomonas usually develop symptoms about a month after the initial infection.

However, it’s possible to get a Trichomonas infection and not experience any symptoms at all, making identification without testing very difficult.

Getting Trichomonas can also make you more susceptible to getting other STIs, like HIV.

The vast majority (north of 99%) of Trichomonas infections are contracted through sexual activity, with vaginal sex being the main route of transmission, but sharing sex toys vaginally can also cause cross infection.

It’s extremely unlikely for anyone to contract Trichomonas during oral sex unless there has been sex in groups and transmission has occurred from one vagina to a mouth and then from that mouth to another vagina.

There are documented cases of people getting Trichomonas without having sex.

One study of women in Zambia found that Trichomonas likely spread among a community of young women through shared bathwater and inconsistent soap use. Bathing and showering alone would therefore eliminate this risk.

The Trichomonas parasite can live outside the body for several hours on absorbent (towels) and non-absorbent (plastics) surfaces. That’s why it would be a consideration not to share items like towels or swimsuits and to be careful when sitting on damp benches in public swimming areas or baths.

Trichomonas parasites have also been shown to remain viable and infective in swimming pool water samples for several hours. But recorded cases of transmission of this type are extraordinarily rare.

All these methods of transmission are technically possible but also very unlikely. Sexual activity remains, by far, the most common mode of transmission.

If your sexual partner develops symptoms of any STI, it’s understandable that your first thought will jump to infidelity.

However, this may not necessarily be the case.

STI can develop slowly over weeks or months. Someone can contract an STI, enter a new relationship, and then develop symptoms. The vast majority of people who contract any STI won’t display any symptoms. Around 50% of men and 75% of women who have Chlamydia don’t know it. Some people who contract HIV may not know they have the infection until years or decades later.

It’s not possible to prove how someone got an STI, except to say that at some point they have been sexually active. It’s important to have honest conversations about your feelings and concerns with your partner to come to productive conclusions that will be best for all parties involved.

The only way to know if you have a Trichomonas infection is to get tested. Testing is safe, reliable, confidential, and gives you a full view of your sexual health so that you can make responsible decisions.

Call the phone number at the top of this page to speak to one of Better2Know’s trained Sexual Health Advisors, who can recommend a test that will fit your situation.

You can also book a confidential appointment at a sexual health clinic near you. Click the button below to start your online booking.

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Steve Chapman, 29/04/2025.