Pelvic Cramps & Irregular Periods: Understanding Trichomoniasis & Next Steps

Question
Hello Dr. I am 36 with no children the date of my last menstral period was around the first of December.  Here is my situation about 4 months ago I started getting mild cramps in my pelvic area I started my period which was a little light but not bad. The next month my period was very very light and the cramping was more severe and continued through out the month. I went to the doc and she diagnosed me with trich and treated me with flagyl while being treated I started my period which was very heavy and severe cramps. The cramping continued so I went back to the doc he told me it had nothing to do with the trich that i had already been treated for that. The cramping has almost completely gone it stopped the day after my last doc visit I have not started my period since then so I dont know how its going to be.  My next concern is that how did I get trich when my sexual encounter did not involve any penetration without a condom.  He was laying on top of me with his penis in my vaginal area and when i reached down to move him away from me there was pre-cum on his penis could this be how it was transmitted to me?  

Answer
Trichomonal infections are passed via contact of the penis with the vagina. It does not matter if he ejaculates or if you come in contact with the semen. Just contact of the penis with your vagina or vulva can transmit the parasites. Both of you should be treated at the same time so as to avoid passing it back and forth to each other. Trichomonal infections have nothing to do with your cramps or irregular cycles. Cramps are normal during your period and can be controlled with Advil or ibuprofen. A cycle is considered normal if it is 24-56 days from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period. Periods can be long or short, but as long as you do not bleed for longer than 14 days at one stretch, there is no problem.