Genital mycoplasma is a sexually transmitted bacterium that causes urethritis and cervicitis. Genital mycoplasma is a bacterium that belongs to a genus of bacteria called Mycoplasma. These bacteria are peculiar because they do not have a cell wall. The name comes from the Greek mykes which means fungus, and plasma (formed), because at the beginning it was thought that they had a growth similar to that of fungi.
This infection is not easy to diagnose, its symptoms are not distinguishable from urethritis or cervicitis produced by other sexually transmitted bacteria, and it is often possible to treat it empirically without knowing about its presence. The genital mycoplasma is very difficult to grow. If it is achieved (in highly specialized laboratories), its colonies look like fried eggs. In addition, it can not be seen in clinical samples stained by the microscope because it does not have a cell wall. This makes it difficult to diagnose infections with this bacterium. The electron microscope has the appearance of a cone-shaped bottle or bottle. It is a very small bacterium, from 0.2 to 0.8 micrometers.
In men, the symptoms of urethritis are discomfort and stinging when urinating, the itching of the urethra and the appearance of a mucopurulent discharge through the urethra. It can be associated with balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and postitis (inflammation of the foreskin).
In women, inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) is the most frequent presentation of this infection. Symptoms that may appear are not specific to mycoplasma: itching and increased vaginal discharge. Discomfort when urinating and pain in the pelvic area are other symptoms associated with this bacteria. Sometimes it can cause a more serious picture; pelvic inflammatory disease. In these cases the affected woman has pain in the lower abdomen, although it can extend to the rest of the abdomen. The pain can be very intense. It is also frequent, the appearance of fever. Increased vaginal discharge may be accompanied by not very heavy vaginal bleeding.
The risk factors for infection by Mycoplasma genitalium are early youth (people under 22 years of age), smoking, having recently had sexual intercourse and sexual promiscuity, understood as having had two or more sexual partners in the last year. In women, bacterial vaginosis and HIV infection are also risk factors for genital mycoplasma infection.
Sexual intercourse within a monogamous couple, and the use of condoms in the case of sporadic sexual partners and unknown health and sexual history, are the best way to avoid this infection and other sexually transmitted infections.
The treatment of genital mycoplasma infection requires the use of antibiotics.
The only way to avoid infection by this bacterium is sexual abstinence. As this alternative does not seem very viable for most people, the best option is to have a stable healthy monogamous partner, and not maintain relationships with third parties.
In any other sexual relationship the condom should be used, even for oral sex (to also avoid other sexually transmitted infections, genital-oral, or fecal-oral transmission).
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