Get tested for Mycoplasma genitalium—you might have it without even knowing it, and it could be a cause of infertility
Mycoplasma genitalium is a relatively common sexually transmitted infection about which little is known, as it often causes no symptoms. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious and long-term damage. And what’s worse, according to experts, is that it is becoming resistant to antibiotics. Mycoplasma genitalium affects both men and women, and although it is most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, transmission can also occur through contact between infected fingers and intimate areas.
At GHC Genetics, you can get tested for this pathogen as part of our STD STANDARD, STD COMPLEX, and STD PREMIUM packages. Women can also come in for testing at any time without an appointment during office hours. Samples are collected at the Prosek Polyclinic collection center on Mon, Tue, and Thu from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and on Fri from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Bacterial infection Mycoplasma genitalium was first identified relatively recently, in 1981, yet many doctors are still unaware of it. Its insidious nature lies in the fact that it shows no symptoms, making it difficult to determine the actual number of infected individuals. In the Czech Republic, up to 100,000 people may have it, with most of them unaware of the infection. Due to low awareness of the disease, symptoms of the infection are often mistaken for other sexually transmitted diseases, which makes it difficult to determine the correct diagnosis.
Symptoms of infection in women:
- persistent vaginal irritation
- pelvic pain
- bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse
- spotting between periods
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- infertility
Symptoms of infection in men:
- Burning or pain during urination
- Discharge from the penis
- Tenderness in the testicles
- Infertility
Even if the infection is asymptomatic, serious complications may arise in the future for some individuals if left untreated. In women, Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with cervical inflammation and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can also lead to infertility or life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. However, doctors most often encounter the disease during laparoscopic surgeries, where they discover adhesions in the pelvis and blocked fallopian tubes, which unfortunately are often late consequences of the infection.
Sources:
https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.000830#tab2