Patient guide to mycoplasma genitalium

About mycoplasma genitalium (MG)

MG is a bacterium that is sexually transmitted.

MG can cause symptoms similar to chlamydia, such as stinging when you pee, discharge or spotting. However, 50–90% of those infected have no symptoms.

MG is considered relatively harmless and less dangerous than, for example, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. In very rare cases, however, MG can cause serious infection in the form of inflammation of the epididymis (men) or pelvic inflammatory disease (women).

Testing for MG is only carried out for persistent symptoms and if tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea are negative. MG is not included in routine tests for sexually transmitted infections, as most cases have no symptoms.

The image illustrates discomfort in the lower abdomen that can occur with mycoplasma genitalium

Treatment of mycoplasma genitalium

MG is treated with prescribed antibiotics. As the bacterium is often resistant to certain types of antibiotics, resistance testing is carried out before the prescription is issued. This can take up to 5 working days.

• Wait for information from us. You will be told when the resistance test result is ready.
• Follow our instructions for taking antibiotics (also on the medicine box).
• Read the patient information leaflet, and contact us if you suspect serious side effects.
• Always complete the full course of treatment, even if the symptoms go away during it.

Precautions for mycoplasma genitalium

• No sex: Avoid sex until you and your partner have completed treatment.
• Inform previous partners: Tell all sexual partners from the past 4 weeks that you have been diagnosed with MG, so they can be tested and treated and the infection does not spread.

Follow-up

• Symptoms usually disappear within a week. Contact us if they continue.
• You need an appointment for a test of cure (urine sample or swab), no earlier than 4 weeks after completing treatment, to confirm that it has worked.

Preventing mycoplasma genitalium

• Condoms protect against MG and are recommended for all sex with non-regular partners.

Clinically updated 27 November 2025