What are the symptoms of an Mgen infection?

Most people with an Mgen infection do not develop any symptoms at all. In men, Mgen can cause an infection of the urethra. This can cause:

• pain or a burning sensation while urinating (peeing)
• clear or yellow-green discharge or pus from the penis, especially in the morning.

It is not clear whether Mgen causes symptoms in women. A correlation has been observed between the presence of Mycoplasma genitalium bacteria and infections in the cervix or fallopian tubes. However, studies monitoring women with Mycoplasma genitalium for some time did not show an increased risk of these infections.

The bacteria may also be present in the anus of both men and women, but it is unclear whether this causes any symptoms.

When should I get tested for Mgen?

Testing for Mgen is not usually necessary. You should get tested if you are a man, have had a urethra infection for more than four weeks, and:

• do not have chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Always test for these STIs first.
• you have already been treated for a different STI and your symptoms did not go away.
• your sexual partner is a man who is being treated for Mgen.

Women only need to be tested if their sexual partner is a man who is being treated for Mgen.

The GP or the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) can help you decide if you should be tested.

How does Mgen spread?

Mgen is transmitted through unprotected sex (without a condom) with a person who is carrying Mycoplasma genitalium bacteria. Mgen can spread through vaginal sex and anal sex.

How can I prevent Mgen?

Mgen can easily be prevented by using a condom during sex.

Is there any treatment for Mgen?

Mgen often clears up on its own.   It does not usually need any treatment. Men who have symptoms and test positive for Mgen are treated with antibiotic pills. During treatment, it is important for them to use a condom during sex for the first week of antibiotics. After that week, they can no longer transmit Mgen.

If you and your sexual partner both have an Mgen infection, you both need treatment at the same time. If you are not both treated, you and your partner could keep reinfecting each other.

How common is Mgen in the Netherlands?

Testing for Mgen is not standard practice, so there are no current figures on how common it is.