Protected: What You Need to Know About STI Testing
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Mgen: The STI You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of
- First identified in 1981.
- Thought to be more common than gonorrhea.
- May increase the risk for contracting HIV, if exposed.
It has been associated with urethritis in men and linked to cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. In one study of young men and women, it was found to be more common than gonorrhea infection. But odds are you’ve never been tested for, or even heard of, this sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
So what is it?
Mycoplasma genitalium, or Mgen, was first identified in 1981. It is a bacterium that can infect the reproductive tract and is passed on through sexual contact. In men, infection with Mgen can cause urethritis (swelling and irritation of the urethra), and in women it has been linked to cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), PID, and possibly infertility.
How common is it?
While there aren’t statistics to show how common infection with Mgen is, in one study of 2,932 young men and women, Mgen was more prevalent that gonorrhea, but less than chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Like those infections, Mgen can be asymptomatic, particularly in women. Women may have pain with urination, vaginal discharge, or discomfort with sex, while men may experience burning, painful urination and sometimes a discharge from the penis.
How do you test for it?
There are currently two FDA-approved diagnostic tests for Mgen. Labs can use a specific type of test method—nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT)—to identify an Mgen infection. Testing can be done on urine, cervical swabs, or urethral swabs.
Can it be treated?
Since Mgen is a bacterial infection, it can typically be cured with antibiotics, sometimes with a single dose. Occasionally, if a first course of antibiotics doesn’t cure the infection, an additional antibiotic treatment may be required.
Learn More About STIs
More to Explore
Fewer Women Are Getting Prenatal Care (and Missing an Important Chance to Prevent Congenital Syphilis)
A new report shows that fewer women are getting prenatal care. That means too many patients are missing the chance to prevent congenital syphilis.
Condoms Unfurled—Musings on a Accessible and Valuable Part of Your Safer Sex Toolbox
The condom. All sorts of shapes, sizes, colors (even glow-in-the-dark). Ribbed or plain. Lubed or not. Latex or plastic. ASHA’s Fred Wyand shares his thoughts on this reliable way to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
Syphilis Rates in Pregnant Women Continue to Rise
Syphilis rates among pregnant women went up 222% percent between 2016 and 2022 and another 28% between 2022 and 2024. This alarming increase shows too many pregnant women are not being screened.
Learn About Condoms
Currently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for preventing pregnancy and reducing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Condoms work.
HPV Screening with Self Collection Endorsed by Two Organizations
At the end of 2025, the American Cancer Society released its new cervical cancer screening guidelines. In January 2026, the Health Resources and Services Administration endorsed a new set of guidelines as well. Both suggest HPV screening with self collected samples is an acceptable option.
Is One Shot of the HPV Vaccine Enough?
Research suggests that only one dose of the HPV vaccine may be effective enough to prevent HPV-related disease, including cancer.
Australia is Closer to Ending Cervical Cancer
Australia has been a leader in HPV-prevention and cervical cancer screening for decades. Because of this, it is now close to eliminating cervical cancer entirely. However, recent drops in vaccination and screening rates threaten this progress.
