Mycoplasma genitalium testing
This is a RT-PCR test which means that the smallest amount of Mycoplasma genitalium DNA can be found in a good quality sample.
And for those who have a positive result, we are able to offer treatment for Mycoplasma genitalium.
Window Period
5 days after exposure
Sample required
For men: urine sample (please don’t urinate 1-2 hours before your appointment)
For women: (self-taken) high vaginal swab
Time for test results
Within 4 working days
Locations
London, Birmingham & East Midlands
Cost of test
£150 (or £100 if taken with another test)
Same day appointments
In London & Birmingham
Highly confidential service
And discreetly located clinics
Specialists in sexual health
From busy NHS clinics
Do I need a test for Mycoplasma genitalium?
Testing for Mycoplasma is recommended when you have symptoms which can be caused by Mycoplasma Genitalium. This allows a clear diagnosis to be made and ensures the correct antibiotics are prescribed.
We also recommend this test if you may have been exposed to this infection and feel anxious about passing it to your regular or new partner.
Currently, BASHH guidelines do not recommend this test on a routine basis if you do not have any symptoms. This is due to limited availability and high cost of this test in the NHS.
When should I get tested for Mycoplasma Genitalium?
If you are experiencing symptoms of Mycoplasma genitalium or your partner has tested positive for Mycoplasma, please get tested without delay. Otherwise, we recommend waiting 5 days after sexual contact to get a Mycoplasma genitalium test.
Do I need a physical examination when getting tested?
We will only conduct a physical examination with your informed consent. Those with symptoms are recommended an examination with a male or female (as you prefer) clinician.
What strains of Mycoplasma are tested?
There are 18 different species of Mycoplasmas which can infect humans, of which only 4 species infect the genital area. Of these, Mycoplasma Genitalium is the only species that is considered to be sexually transmitted.
At Clarewell Clinics, we only test for Mycoplasma genitalium, which is the only sexually transmitted member of the Mycoplasma family.
We can also test for Mycoplasma Hominis in certain situations. However, this is not recommended on a routine screen.
What happens if my Mycoplasma genitalium test is positive?
If you test positive for Mycoplasma genitalium, we will offer you a course of antibiotics and request a test of cure in 5 weeks time to ensure the infection has cleared.
We will also discuss what a positive result means for you and how to ensure you don’t pass it on to your partner.
Mycoplasma g. treatment
We are one of the few clinics with the expertise to easily treat simple and resistant strains of Mycoplasma.
Mycoplasma g. information
Read our answers to questions patients commonly ask about Mycoplasma g. symptoms, causes & complications.
Page reviewed by Dr. Manoj Malu (Clinical Director)
Last reviewed date: 3 March 2020
Next review due: 3 March 2023
Whilst this content is written and reviewed by sexual health specialists, it is for general guidance only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your clinician.
References & Further Reading
- Clinical Infectious Diseases: Mycoplasma Testing Pattern and Macrolide Resistance: A Danish Nationwide Retrospective Survey
- Medical Journal of Australia: Should we routinely test for Mycoplasma genitalium when testing for other sexually transmitted infections?
- NHS: New guidelines issued on the ‘STI most people have never heard of’
- Journal of Clinical Microbiology: Molecular Testing for Mycoplasma genitalium in the United States: Results from the AMES Prospective Multicenter Clinical Study
- FEMS Microbiology Letters: Development and Evaluation of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Detect Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Comparison of First Void Urine and Urogenital Swab Specimens for Detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium and Chlamydia Trachomatis by Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients Attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic
- Infectious Diseases Society of America: Mycoplasma Genitalium Testing Pattern and Macrolide Resistance: A Danish Nationwide Retrospective Survey