Also known as MG
Quick facts
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Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a STI caused by bacteria which infects the cervix, urethra and rectum.
MG can be passed on by vaginal and anal sex without a condom with someone who has MG.
If you have a vagina, you may experience:
If you have a penis, you may experience:
If you have a rectal infection, you may experience:
If you have a vagina, the test is usually a urine sample, a vaginal or a cervical swab.
If you have a penis, the test is usually a urine sample.
If you have an anal infection, the test is an anal swab.
Testing for MG is recommended if you have any of the symptoms listed above. Testing for MG is also recommended if your sexual partner has MG.
Testing people without symptoms is not recommended, unless they are a partner of someone with MG.
MG is first treated with two courses of antibiotics. This treatment cures 80-90% of MG infections.
2 - 3 weeks after taking the antibiotics, you need to be tested again to make sure the antibiotics have worked.
You should either not have sex or use condoms or dams 100% of the time for all sexual contacts until you and your partner(s) have a negative MG test result.
Due to increases in antibiotic resistance, MG has become an infection that is hard to treat.
As highly resistant infections are rising, it is important to achieve a balance between harm caused by further antibiotics versus harm caused by MG.
Repeated courses of antibiotics can sometimes cause:
The goal in treating MG is to get rid of symptoms and the infection.
However, in cases of persistent infection, where MG is still found on a test after antibiotic treatment, cure may not be achievable. Further antibiotic treatments are not necessarily advised or prescribed unless there are symptoms.
If you have a penis, there is no evidence to suggest that MG is the cause of any serious health problems.
If you have a vagina, MG can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in about 5% of infections.
Using condoms or dams for vaginal and anal sex is the best way to protect yourself from MG.
When you've been diagnosed with an STI like this, all of your sexual partners from the last few months should be checked by a doctor.
It is very important that all your sex partners (regular and casual) are checked because if STIs are not treated they may cause serious problems later on.
If you have difficulty telling your partners, you can use Let Them Know for sample conversations, emails, text messages and letters you can send to your partners either personally or anonymously.
Disclaimer
This fact sheet provides general sexual health information and is not intended to replace the need for a consultation with your doctor.
If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your doctor.
If you require urgent care, you should go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 000.
