Is Mycoplasma gaining antibiotic resistance?

For the most part, sexually transmitted infections can be easily treated. The vast majority respond well to antibiotics, and most other infections can be cured with effective treatments overseen by a doctor.

But some infections are fighting back. Many bacteria are gaining an edge in the arms race between pathogens and pharmaceuticals.

And one of the bacteria that is getting an edge is one that most people haven’t even heard of: Mycoplasma Genitalium.

So, what’s going on here? Keep reading to find out!

Worried that you might have Mycoplasma? Get tested today with Better2Know.

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What is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma is a bacterial infection that passes from person to person through sexual activity, like unprotected sex and sharing sex toys. It’s most common in smokers, those with multiple sexual partners, young people of both sexes, older age groups of men, men who have sex with men, and people who are HIV positive.

While Mycoplasma is considered an STI, the bacteria that causes the infection can also be found in normal, healthy genital tracts. An infection occurs when these bacteria grow until they reach an imbalanced level.

The symptoms of Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma infections usually don’t produce any symptoms and often go unnoticed. However, when symptoms do appear, they can affect men and women differently.

In women, symptoms can include:

Lower pelvic pain
Unusual vaginal discharge
Bleeding after intercourse
Bleeding between periods
Pain during sex

In men, symptoms include:

Pain on urination
Irritation around the tip of the penis
Discharge from the urethra

Effects of untreated Mycoplasma

While most people can live with an appropriate level of Mycoplasma bacteria in their urinary tract, when these levels become unbalanced, the effects can seriously harm their overall health.

In women, a Mycoplasma infection can be associated with:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Fertility issue
Sexually associated reactive arthritis
Premature birth
Miscarriage
Stillbirth

In men, the infection can be associated with:

Long-term pain and swelling in the testicles (epididymitis)
Sexually associated reactive arthritis

Is Mycoplasma gaining antibiotic resistance?

We often think of microorganisms like bacteria as small machines—chugging along, working in the same way every single time. Because we know how they work, we can develop effective treatments against them.

But bacteria are living organisms. If given the chance, they mutate and evolve to overcome their environment. And that is increasingly happening with infections all over the world including STIs.

Many infections we treat with antibiotics are increasingly resistant to our medicines. This is becoming a serious problem for health systems all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates that around 1.27 million deaths in 2019 were caused by infections that have developed resistance to antibiotics. These infections contributed to a further 4.95 million deaths.

We already see this in the world of STIs. Many strains of Gonorrhoea, a common bacterial STI, have developed antibiotic resistance. Although many clinical trials are developing new drugs to combat this issue, resistant forms of Gonorrhoea remain a concern.

But Gonorrhoea isn’t the only STI that has developed this resistance.

Mycoplasma has, in recent years, seen increasing antibiotic resistance in the UK. Several studies conducted on patients in Italy, Germany, Belgium, and China have observed many patients with strains of Mycoplasma Genitalium with multidrug resistances, with some cohorts reaching as high as 100%.

According to one study that tracked the emergence of antibiotic resistance in all of Europe, literature published between 2012 and 2018 shows that macrolide resistance was increasing rapidly in the region, with many countries exceeding 50%.

Why is this happening?

While the situation is complex, the main cause of the rise of antimicrobial resistance is the human misuse of antibiotics.

In short, we use antibiotics too much. These medicines are often overprescribed (used in situations where they are not necessary) or misused (treatment plans are inconsistent or left uncompleted). This allows certain strains of bacteria to develop resistance through genetic mutation.

The diminishing efficacy of antibiotics in treating many conditions, from E. coli to Staphylococcus aureus and pneumonia to candida, will decrease health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.

How do I avoid getting antibiotic-resistant Mycoplasma?

The best way to avoid getting an STI is to practice safe sex. This means using condoms, dental dams, and other barrier methods of contraception to prevent the spread of pathogens.

If you are concerned about contracting an infection from a certain situation, outercourse may be an option to explore. And there’s always abstinence.

However, outercourse and abstinence aren’t realistic for many people, and infections spread despite people’s best intentions. If you are diagnosed with an STI, follow your doctor’s treatment plan as strictly as possible. This means completing any course of medication you are prescribed. By doing this, you are ensuring the strain of bacteria you have is wiped out and will not be given the chance to develop resistance.

Final thoughts

In the unfortunate scenario that you get an STI, you will first need to get tested to confirm your condition.

Better2Know offers many effective STI screens that can test you for various infections.

If you don’t know what to get tested for, or if you want to get a clear view of your sexual health, we recommend the Full Screen Home Test Kit, which tests for Mycoplasma along with six other common STIs.

Click the button below to order your test today.