Mycoplasma are the smallest "free-living" bacteria, they live inside cells or in cultures outside cells, similar to the way viruses live. They are usually found in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. However if they start to affect more than just the vagina or urethra then they can be problematic. In women, the infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease if it spreads further, leading to possible chronic pelvic pain ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In men the infection can also spread from the urethra to the prostate and sperm producing areas in the testicles which may cause discomfort and fertility problems.
This is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both sexes, it often occurs alongside other sexually transmitted infections and should be treated quickly once diagnosed. Mycoplasma genitalium is most commonly transmitted through all methods of intercourse or the sharing of sex toys as it exposes the bacteria to the vagina or urethra, where it can attach itself.
Symptoms are rare. In those who do experience symptoms they are most likely to be pain when urinating in men and women plus vaginal itching in women, while men may experience a urethral discharge.
Testing for mycoplasma requires a urine sample or vaginal swab (like a cotton bud) to be sent to the laboratory for testing. Mycoplasma genitalium is straightforward to treat and, similar to other bacterial infections, will normally only require a single course of treatment with an antibiotic such as azithromycin (one daily dosage of 2 x 500mg tablets followed by 500 mg on each of the following 4 days). It is recommended that a retest is done a couple of weeks after treatment completion to make sure the infection has completely cleared. Partners of infected individuals should also be treated and to prevent reinfection by avoiding sex until the symptoms have cleared.