Symptoms of 'most common STI you've never heard of' that could cause cancer

Experts have issued warnings over an almost unheard of STI which could lead to cancer if left undiagnosed.

Trichomoniasis, also known as Trich, is an incredibly common, yet a little-known STI that may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women.

This is because it typically goes undetected as the majority of cases are asymptomatic. However, it can cause discharge from the genitals, as well as pain while urinating.

A women's health expert claimed that Trich harms the cervical tissue, making it a 'favourable environment' for HPV - which is responsible for 99% of cases of the disease.

Following an analysis involving nearly half a million women, those infected with the parasite were also 80% more likely to have HPV, scientists found.

Trich is also more widespread than chlamydia and gonorrhoea in some parts of the world. In fact, each year, it infects around 180 million people globally.

Following an analysis involving nearly half a million women, those infected with the parasite were also 80% more likely to have HPV (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Hungarian experts analysed samples taken from more than 473,000 women over the past 15 years. The project - where findings were published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics - is said to be the first of its kind.

Trich typically goes undetected because the majority of cases are asymptomatic. It can, however, cause discharge from the genitals, as well as pain while urinating.

It is more rife than chlamydia and gonorrhoea in some parts of the world and infects around 180million people globally each year.

Symptoms in women:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin or frothy and yellow-green in colour
• Producing more discharge than normal, which may also have an unpleasant fishy smell
• Soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina – sometimes the inner thighs also become itchy
• Pain or discomfort when passing urine or having sex

Trich typically goes undetected because the majority of cases are asymptomatic (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Symptoms in men:

• Pain when peeing or during ejaculation
• Needing to pee more frequently than usual
• Thin, white discharge from the penis
• Soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin

Scientists found women with Trich were 79% more likely to have human papillomavirus (HPV) too, compared to those who didn't.

Lead researcher Dr Balázs Hamar, an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology at Semmelweis University in Budapest, said: "This is because the infection causes the inflammation and abruption of the cervical epithelium/cervix, providing a favourable environment for pathogens such as HPV."

Men can experience soreness or swelling or an increased need to urinate (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The STI is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be so subtle or even non-existent in some people.

But US scientists have recently developed a cheap and easy-to-use finger prick test that can help detect the infection.

Trich is mainly passed between people via unprotected sex or through sharing sex toys.

And if it is diagnosed patients are usually prescribed antibiotics which clears up the infection quickly.