Trichomonas Test for Men (RNA, TMA)
This test looks for the genetic material of Trichomonas vaginalis in a sample collected from men, usually urine. Trichomoniasis in men is very often silent, so testing is the practical way to know rather than guess.
About this test
Trichomonas vaginalis is a single-celled parasite passed through sexual contact, and it is among the most common sexually transmitted infections. In men it frequently causes nothing noticeable at all.
Because the infection is so often quiet in men, it has historically been under-recognized, and partners have sometimes been treated in cycles without the male partner being tested. Amplification testing changed the picture.
Who might consider this test?
- Men commonly order this test after a partner has been diagnosed or treated, since testing both people is what breaks the cycle of reinfection.
- Others order it because of mild symptoms that have lingered — irritation
- Discomfort when urinating
Test details
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
|---|
Quest resources
Additional details
Why men are often tested last
Trichomoniasis is usually identified in women first, partly because symptoms are more likely to be noticed and partly because testing has historically been offered more routinely in that setting. Meanwhile a male partner may carry the organism without knowing.
That gap is why partner testing matters. When only one person is tested and cared for, reinfection is common, and the cycle can repeat for months before anyone thinks to check both sides.
What the TMA method looks at
TMA, or transcription-mediated amplification, identifies RNA belonging to the organism and multiplies it so the laboratory can recognize very small quantities. This direct approach is why nucleic acid methods are preferred over older microscope-based examination, which needs a large number of organisms and a very fresh sample.
The result speaks to the sample collected on that day. It looks for the organism itself rather than the body's immune memory, so it reflects current presence rather than anything that resolved in the past.
Sample collection for men
For men, this is generally a urine sample collected at a Quest patient service center. The instructions usually ask that you not urinate for a period beforehand, because a first-catch sample carries more material for the laboratory to work with.
The visit is quick and handled with the same discretion as any other lab work, and your report is delivered securely to you once the analysis is complete.
Cost, privacy, and what comes next
If a result is positive, a clinician can discuss care and talk through notifying partners — a routine, judgment-free conversation. Trichomoniasis is manageable, and addressing it in both partners is what keeps it from returning.
This test isn't part of the Celio Health store at the moment, so it can't be ordered or requested here. The test menu lists everything that can.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can men get trichomoniasis?
Yes. Men can carry Trichomonas vaginalis and often have no symptoms at all, which is why partner testing matters when a partner has been diagnosed.
What sample does the test use?
For men it is typically a urine sample, collected at a patient service center following the instructions provided. You will usually be asked not to urinate for a period beforehand.
My partner was diagnosed — should I be tested?
That is one of the most common reasons men order this test. A clinician can advise on testing and care for both partners, since addressing only one person often leads to reinfection.
Does this test show a past infection?
No. It looks for the organism's genetic material in the sample collected, so it reflects current presence rather than exposure that has already resolved.