»  WHAT IS MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM?
Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium that infects the mucous membranes of the urethra, cervix, anus and less commonly the throat.

 

»  HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?
It can be transmitted by vaginal and anal sex, and probably also through oral sex.

 

»  WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
Men
Men may have no symptoms or experience stinging or burning when passing urine or a discharge from the penis.

Women
Mycoplasma genitalium may cause no symptoms in women or may result in pain in the pelvic area, pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, an abnormal vaginal discharge or stinging or burning when passing urine.

 

»  HOW LONG UNTIL SYMPTOMS DEVELOP?
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexual transmitted infection. Many people do not have symptoms but if they develop it is often within a few weeks of acquiring the infection.

 

»  HOW DO YOU TEST FOR MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM?
We test for Mycoplasma genitalium by taking a urine sample or less often a urethral swab (a sample of secretions) in men. In women a urine sample or a cervical or vaginal swab is usually taken.

 

»  HOW IS MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM TREATED?
Mycoplasma genitalium is treated with oral antibiotics. A single, oral dose of an antibiotic (azithromycin) is commonly prescribed; or less often, a 7-10 day course of an antibiotic called moxifloxacin.

 

To allow the antibiotics time to work you should not have sex or you should use condoms for one week after finishing treatment.

»  DO I NEED FURTHER TESTS AFTER I’VE BEEN TREATED?
Yes. A test of cure one month after treatment is very important to make sure that the antibiotics have worked. Azithromycin is not 100% effective in everyone so if your test of cure shows Mycoplasma genitalium is still present then a second course of antibiotics is required.

 

»  SHOULD MY SEXUAL PARTNERS ALSO BE TREATED?
Yes. It is important to tell all of your recent sexual partners that you have been diagnosed with Mycoplasma genitalium and ask them to treated. We can assist you doing this by giving you a letter to give to them or you could visit www.letthemknow.org.au for assistance. Tests are only avaliable in some clinics.

 

Using condoms all of the time, i.e: safe sex practices.