ABSTRACT

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infecting the urogenital system. In this study, the relation between different contraseptive methods used and T. vaginalis infection was investigated. A total of 253 women (aged from 20–48 years) with abnormal vaginal discharges who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. T.vaginalis was diagnosed by microscobic examination of direct and Giemsa stained preparations. In addition, contraseptive methods, such as an intrauterine device (IUD), coitus interruptus (CI), oral contraceptive (OC), condoms, and injection that had been used, were recorded in the patients’ questionnaire forms. Of the 253 women, 207 were using one of the contraceptive methods and a total of 22 (8.69 %) trichomoniasis cases were observed. T. vaginalis was detected in 13 of 114 IUD users (14.70%), 5 of 34 CI (11.40%) cases, 3 of 31 (9.67%) condom users, 1 of 46 (2.17%) nonusers. There was no relation between women using the method of OC and T. vaginalis infection. T. vaginalis is the cause of vulvovaginitis and women with abnormal vaginal dischanges should be investigated for possible trichomoniasis. In this study, detection of a higher rate of T. vaginalis infection in IUD users means that IUD usage might increase the risk of Trichomonas infection.

Keywords: Trichomonas vaginalis, contraceptive methods