Just when you thought you'd invested in your sexual education, Mgen entered the chat. When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Mgen is lesser known than chlamydia and gonorrhoea – in fact, a recent LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor survey revealed that fewer than 15% of people have ever heard of it.
And yet, it's estimated that two in every 100 sexually active UK adults have Mgen.
What is Mgen?
Full name Mycoplasma Genitalium, Mgen is caused by a type of bacteria that infects the urinary tracts of men and women. It can be spread by vaginal and anal sex, but transmission can also occur without penetration.
The reason it is so prevalent but still flies under the radar? Mgen wasn't classified as an STI until 2015 and isn't routinely tested for at clinics, so it rarely plays a big part in the STI conversation.
In many cases, Mgen is also symptomless. So you may not even know you have it, unless the bacteria multiply and cause an infection that manifests as pain when urinating, unusual discharge, bleeding after sex or between periods, and itching in the genital area.
How to test for Mgen
A vaginal swab at your GP surgery or STI clinic can confirm whether you are suffering from Mgen. Another option that currently has a lot of buzz around it is Daye's STI diagnostic tampon.
It uses a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to screen for five of the most common STIs – namely chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, mycoplasma and ureaplasma – and also Mgen bacteria.
According to Daye, the process couldn't be simpler: insert the tampon as usual, then pop it into the extraction solution (a bit like with an at-home COVID-19 test).
After sending it to a lab for testing, your results arrive digitally via the Daye app within five to 10 working days. You will also get access to virtual consultations with sexual health experts and treatment options.
But can a tampon really accurately diagnose an STI better than a swab?
In theory, a tampon would seem to be a less intrusive way of reaching the cervix than a swab or speculum as it is an object we're intimately familiar with.
And, yes, on the plus side, an at-home STI test – and its discreet prescription options – avoid any embarrassment about visiting your GP or an STI clinic after having unprotected sex, or if you are suddenly experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of an STI such as Mgen.
“The privacy and accessibility of a tampon-based test could encourage more frequent STI screenings among women,” agrees Dr Poobashni Govender, a women's health doctor and co-founder of Mercuri Health. “It lowers some barriers to testing, such as clinic visits, which some might find inconvenient or uncomfortable."
However, Dr Govender points out that you need to insert and wear the Daye tampon for 20 minutes when you don’t have your period, "potentially making the sample collection a very uncomfortable experience. Whereas a clinical swab or a self-swab home test takes seconds.”
But is an at-home test really a viable alternative to an in-person screening?
While the technology sounds promising, Dr Govender also expressed the need for more tests to be undertaken to determine the accuracy of the tampon, which claims to collect more vaginal fluid and cover a larger surface area than a traditional swab.
“Where the tampon kit is perhaps weakest is the scale of reporting available," she says. "It does not indicate the presence of HIV/AIDS or syphilis. These are complex infections with potentially serious outcomes if not diagnosed early and accurately.
"Comprehensive screenings, which often include blood tests, provide a complete picture and can detect infections in earlier stages than some other methods. These diseases require a multifaceted diagnostic approach for accurate detection, which is why I strongly believe that full screenings remain irreplaceable.”
Why you should test for Mgen
Women and AFAB individuals are physically most seriously affected by STIs. According to the NHS, vaginal conditions often go undiagnosed as 70% of those who are infected do not have any symptoms.
If left untreated, STIs pose a serious risk to your long-term health and fertility – chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for example, are two preventable causes of infertility and ectopic pregnancies. Likewise, studies have found that Mgen could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease – an infection of the female reproductive system – including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries – which can increase your chances of an ectopic pregnancy.
The good news is Mgen can often be cleared up with a course of antibiotics. But the same rules for any STI apply: if a test shows you do have MG, then your current sexual partners should be tested, too.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
