Mycoplasma genitalium - meaning and definition
AlsoMGMgenM. genitaliummycoplasmamycoplasma infection
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterial STI that often causes no symptoms but can cause urethritis or pelvic inflammatory disease, and is becoming harder to treat.
At a glance
- Mycoplasma genitalium, or Mgen, is a bacterial STI.
- It often causes no symptoms.
- Symptoms, when present, resemble those of chlamydia.
- Guidelines generally recommend testing people with symptoms and their partners, not routine screening.
- Resistance to several antibiotics is making it harder to treat.
In detail
Mgen spreads through vaginal and anal sex. When symptoms occur they resemble those of chlamydia, such as discharge or pain when urinating, and in some people it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Guidelines generally recommend testing only people with symptoms and their partners, rather than routine screening, partly because the bacterium has developed resistance to several antibiotics. Treatment usually involves a longer antibiotic course chosen to match the likely resistance.
In a sentence
- The doctor tested for Mycoplasma genitalium because his symptoms continued after treatment.
- The leaflet said Mgen is not part of a routine STI screen.
Where the word comes from
The bacterium was first identified in the early 1980s.
Not to be confused with
- Chlamydia
Chlamydia is far more common and is included in routine screening; Mgen needs a specific test.
Common questions
Why isn't Mycoplasma genitalium part of a routine STI test?
Guidelines generally recommend testing only people with symptoms and their partners. One reason is antibiotic resistance: avoiding unnecessary treatment helps keep the remaining antibiotics effective.
How is Mgen treated?
It is treated with antibiotics, usually a longer course chosen to match the likely resistance. A sexual health clinic or doctor can advise on your own situation.