You know what chlamydia and gonorrhoea are, and the importance of getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But did you know that mycoplasma genitalium (MGen) is a lesser-known STI that is becoming increasingly recognised as a significant cause of sexual health problems? Despite being relatively common, many people have never heard of MGen – because symptoms can be mild or absent altogether, infections often go undetected. Fortunately, it is possible to detect MGen quickly and accurately, helping people across the UK access the right treatment and protect their long-term sexual health.
What is mycoplasma?
Mycoplasma, more generally known as M. Gen, MGen or MG, is a common but treatable STI caused by the bacterium mycoplasma genitalium and regularly occurs alongside other STIs. It generally infects:
- The tube you pass urine from (causing urethritis)
- The cervix (causing cervicitis)
- The womb and fallopian tubes (causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID))
How is mycoplasma spread?
The bacteria responsible for the infection is present in discharge from the penis and vagina, and is easily spread through unprotected sex, touching the genitals with fingers (if you have infected fluids on your hands) or sharing sex toys.
What are the symptoms of MGen and why is it missed or misdiagnosed?
The challenge MGen presents is that it is often asymptomatic, with the latest research showing that 94.4% of men and 56.2% of women who tested positive reported absolutely zero symptoms.
When people do experience symptoms, they are so similar to those of chlamydia and gonorrhoea, that they are missed by standard STI testing services and even misdiagnosed.
Note: It takes around 2 weeks for the infection to develop, so you may notice some symptoms around this time (typically within 1 to 3 weeks of exposure).
If present, symptoms of mycoplasma for women include:
- vaginal discharge,
- pain when peeing,
- pelvic inflammation,
- bleeding between periods and
- lower tummy pain.
Moreover, men may experience:
- pain in the testicles or when peeing,
- unusual discharge from the penis,
- urethritis and
- inflammation of the penis.
How long can you have MGen without knowing?
Infections can remain asymptomatic for months or even years. Because of this, many people may not realise they’re infected, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, MGen can pose serious risks to your health and wellbeing, including:
- infertility,
- sexually acquired reactive arthritis,
- pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which is an infection in the womb and fallopian tubes, and
- men may experience a painful swelling and infection of the testicles and epididymis.
Who should get tested for MGen?
The NHS does not test routinely for MGen, only doing so if symptoms are present. This can lead to significant health issues as the STI is typically asymptomatic, therefore, anyone who is sexually active should get routinely tested. In addition to:
- Those who have symptoms but are testing negative on a standard STI test
- Cases where symptoms persist after completing chlamydia treatment
- Women or individuals with a uterus exhibiting signs of PID or unexplained bleeding after sex
- Anyone whose current sexual partner has tested positive for MGen
Why PCR testing is the only way to avoid treatment failure
As MGen shares identical symptoms to chlamydia but behaves differently at a cellular level, taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic blindly is a massive risk. Not only is there an over 60% chance the medication will fail, but using the wrong treatment can actually cause the bacteria to mutate further, making it even harder to clear.
The only way out of this cycle is routine and specific testing. NorthGene™ uses highly advanced NAAT Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. This means that instead of waiting weeks to culture a slow-growing bacteria sample in a lab, our PCR technology can detect MGen within hours, providing full peace of mind and reassurance.
In cases where you test positive for the STI, this fast turnaround allows you to quickly be prescribed the exact, targeted secondary antibiotic needed to kill the infection by presenting our results to your clinician.
How to get tested for MGen in the UK
UK health data shows that mycoplasma infections are being diagnosed more frequently than ever before. While increased awareness and improved access to testing have contributed to this rise, the real concern is how easily MGen can spread unnoticed. Often causing no symptoms at all, and with symptoms that can mimic other common STIs, many people may be carrying and transmitting the infection without realising it.
Recognising the growing need for accessible testing, NorthGene™ provides the fastest and cheapest testing service for MGen in the UK, with results within 24 hours or less.
You can order an Enhanced STI Test easily online and testing kits are sent out in the post in discreet packaging and are simply posted through your letter box.
Note: If you place your order before 3pm, your test kit will be shipped immediately, although if your order reaches us after 3pm, it will be sent out the following working day.
The kit includes everything you need to provide your sample, including easy to follow instructions and prepaid tamper-proof return packaging to our UK laboratory. Our expert team understands the importance of the results, which is why we issue your detailed certificate less than 24 hours of receipt of your sample.
If you have any questions about the STI or the testing process itself, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to help!
