3. How Trichomoniasis is Spread
As mentioned, trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. This parasite is quite small and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Trich is spread by having unprotected sex with someone who has the parasite. It is spread when pre-cum, cum, and vaginal fluids get on or in your vulva, vagina, or penis.
Most often, trich is spread through vaginal intercourse. It may also be spread through vulva to vulva contact, from sharing sex toys, and touching your partner’s or your own genitals if you have infected fluids on your hands. Trich easily infects the penis, urethra, vagina, and vulva, but does not typically infect other body parts such as the anus or mouth.
Casual contact does not spread the parasite, which means that you do not get it from sharing drinks or food, hugging, holding hands, sneezing, kissing, coughing, or sitting on a toilet seat. It is only spread through sexual contact involving sexual fluids.