01 September 2023 , 17:42
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A doctor is urging people to be aware of the symptoms of a little-known sexually transmitted infection (STI) that only around one in five Brits have ever heard of, as many don't know they're infected. Mycoplasma genitalium, also known as Mgen or MG, is thought to be carried by more than half a million Brits, but in a survey of 500 British adults, a staggering 85% had no idea the STI even existed.
The survey, conducted by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, found that less than one in five people have heard of Mgen before, and 90% would not feel comfortable identifying the symptoms of the illness. In even more worrying data, almost half (46%) of respondents admitted they had never had an STI test.
So what is Mgen, and what are the symptoms you need to look out for? Doctor Neel Patel, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said Mgen is an STI caused by tiny bacterium called Mycoplasma genitalium, which infects the urinary and genital tracts of both men and women. It can be spread by both vaginal and anal sex, but can even be transmitted without penetration. The STI is relatively "new" and was only discovered in 1981, with reliable tests for it only being made available as recently as 2017.
As for symptoms, you may go weeks without knowing you're infected, and as many as 80% of men and between 50-70% of women will never show symptoms. Dr Patel said: "8 in 10 men and 5-7 in 10 women who are infected with Mgen don't show any symptoms but some people can display one or more. Symptoms usually appear 1-3 weeks after infection and can be different for men and women."
Those who do show symptoms will have similar symptoms to those associated with chlamydia. Dr Patel added: "Mgen symptoms are very similar to those of chlamydia, though they are both caused by different bacteria. In the past, many doctors have tried to treat Mgen thinking it was chlamydia, leading to a rise in Mgen antibiotic resistance, as chlamydia treatment doesn’t completely clear up Mgen."
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Symptoms of Mgen in men:
- Pain when urinating
- White discharge from the penis
- Burning or itching from the urethra
- Itchiness or discharge from the anus (if you’ve had anal sex)
- Pain in the testicles
Symptoms of Mgen in women:
- Pain when urinating
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain in the stomach or pelvis
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding after sex
- Painful bleeding between periods
- Itchiness or discharge from the anus (if you’ve had anal sex)
Dr Patel also stressed that Mgen can cause "serious health conditions" if left untreated, and has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which has been associated with preterm births and miscarriages. Mgen can also lie dormant in the body for months or years, so getting tested regularly is vital to ensure you don't pass it on to someone else.
If you think you may have Mgen, you should visit your local STI clinic or speak to your GP to get tested. Dr Patel said that testing for Mgen isn't routine at STI clinics, so they may only test for it if you present symptoms or have raised it as a potential concern. The test itself is a swab or urine test.
Thankfully, treatment for Mgen is straightforward, as it should clear up with a course of antibiotics. Dr Patel explained: "It is very unlikely for Mgen to go away by itself so it's important to seek treatment. Mgen can be treated by a course of antibiotics, though it may take multiple rounds and different types of antibiotics to clear the infection. If treated, you should wait two weeks after finishing your antibiotics before having unprotected sex as you may still be able to pass on the infection."
And to reduce the risk of catching Mgen in the first place, Dr Patel stressed that practising safe sex is vital. He noted: "You can limit your chances of contracting Mgen by limiting your number of sexual partners or by using either male or female condoms during sex. Stopping smoking can also reduce your risk of catching Mgen, as well as other STIs."