160 chapter 8: Sexual health
Medicines for trichomonas
Medicine
How much to take
When to take
metronidazole
400 to 500 mg
by mouth, 2 times a day
for 7 days
or metronidazole
2 grams (2000 mg)
(avoid metronidazole in the first 3 months of pregnancy)
by mouth in a single dose
or clindamycin
300 mg
by mouth, 2 times a day
for 7 days
IMPORTANT Do not drink alcohol during the time you are taking metronidazole. For more
information about metronidazole, see page 347. Your partner should also be treated with the
same medicine.
Gonorrhea (clap, gono, VD) and Chlamydia
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are both serious infections. They are easy to cure if
they are treated early. If not, they can cause severe infection and infertility in both
women and men. The signs in a man usually begin 2 to 5 days after sex with an
infected person. In a woman, the signs may not begin for weeks or even months.
But both men and women can be infected and have no signs. Even a person with no
signs can still give both gonorrhea and chlamydia to another person.
The most common signs
in a woman are:
• yellow or green discharge from the
vagina or anus.
• pain or burning when passing
urine.
• fever.
• pain in the lower belly.
• pain or bleeding during sex.
• no signs at all.
The most common
signs in a man are:
• discharge from the penis.
• pain or burning when passing
urine.
• pain or swelling of the balls
(testicles).
• no signs at all.
Treatment:
If you have any of the signs for gonorrhea or chlamydia, and you have had unsafe
sex with someone you think may have an infection, try to get tested to see which
infection you have so you will know which medicine to take.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007