Would trichomonas be detected on a pelvic exam that did not include a pap smear?

Yes: The best way to make a diagnosis of trichomonas is by collecting a sample of discharge in saline and looking at it under the microscope. The doctor can easily identify the moving trichomonads. When they are dried on a pap smear, they can be confused with vaginal cells.

Wet Prep or Pap: Definite diagnosis of trichomonas can only be made by either examination of vaginal discharge under the microscope ( the test is called a wet prep) or on pap smear. Sometimes vaginal discharge can look like there may be trichomonas to your doctor, but that alone is not enough.