What is Mycoplasma Genitalium?

Most people have heard of STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Genital Herpes, but there is much less awareness about Mycoplasma Genitalium. However, we now know it’s quite a common infection, and doctors are starting to include it more frequently in STI checks. It is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can infect the urethra, vagina, cervix and anus. It’s especially important to be aware of it if you’ve got symptoms suggestive of an STI but have tested negative for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea- in this situation it may be worth discussing a Mycoplasma test with your doctor.

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia.  It is particularly common in people under the age of 30. All sexually active people should consider regular STI checks, particularly if they have multiple partners. It is common for people to have an STI but not have any symptoms.

What is Chlamydia?

• Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection, which can be caught by having vaginal, oral or anal sex.
• It is caused by bacteria that live in sexual fluids.

What should you do if you think you have Chlamydia?

• If you know you’ve had sex with somebody who has Chlamydia you should get treatment for it.
• Whilst you may wish to be tested first, it is also OK to go ahead and get treatment if  you have had sex with a person who has been diagnosed with Chlamydia.
• If you have Chlamydia, ideally you should contact anybody else you’ve had sex with recently, to let them know.

We all get abdominal aches and pains now and then- most of the time it’s nothing much to worry about and gets better by itself.  However, certain causes of tummy pain can indicate a serious underlying problem and shouldn’t be ignored:

Ectopic Pregnancy

• An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus- in a fallopian tube, ovary or elsewhere in the abdomen.
• As the pregnancy grows, it can cause serious complications including internal bleeding- which, if not diagnosed quickly, can lead to death.
• The pain tends to be sharp and located low in the tummy, often to the left or the right side.
• There may be abnormal vaginal bleeding, but usually not.
• A woman may be a few days late for a period, but not necessarily.
• Any woman who is sexually active and develops lower abdominal pain that is not settling should see a doctor as soon as possible- particularly if her period is late, the pain is sharp or getting worse, or if she is feeling weak and unwell.
• Quick diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is extremely important. Treatment can involve medication or surgery.

Ovarian Cysts

• Sometimes women can develop a cyst on their ovary.
• There are several different types of ovarian cysts, and some women can be quite  prone them ( e.g if they have PCOS or endometriosis).
• Whilst ovarian cysts may be have no symptoms, pain can occur  if they twist, rupture or get big enough to place pressure on other organs.
• The pain tends to be low down in the pelvis on the affected side.  
• Symptoms can be quite similar to appendicitis or an ectopic pregnancy, so immediate medical attention should be sought.

Of course, there are many many other causes of tummy pain- we’ve just gone through some important types that are particularly relevant to women. If you have concerns about abdominal pain, be sure to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Further resources

www.nhs.uk

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. In women, Chlamydia infection usually affects the neck of the womb (cervix) and the womb (uterus). In men, it usually affects the urethra (the tube urine passes through), in the penis. Chlamydia often causes no symptoms. If you have Chlamydia infection it is essential that you seek treatment even if you do not have any symptoms because serious complications may develop if it is left untreated, and you may also pass on the infection to your sexual partner(s). If you are sexually active or change sexual partners it’s important to get checked. This usually just involves a urine test, which can be arranged via your GP. 

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common STI (sexually transmitted infection). In most cases it is a silent condition, with no symptoms- this means it’s important for people who are sexually active to have regular testing. In women, it may present with vaginal discharge or irregular vaginal bleeding. In men, it may present with discharge from the penis or pain in the testicles. Both men and women may experience burning when passing urine. Chlamydia infection can also make it easier to catch other STIs such as HIV. Once diagnosed, it’s easy to treat, but if not caught in time, it can lead to more serious complications such as PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and inside of the pelvis. It can be silent or may cause abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fever, burning when passing urine, pain during sex or irregular vaginal bleeding. Some women can become seriously unwell with PID, and may need admission to hospital for treatment with high doses of antibiotics. PID can lead to further complications such as ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and an increased risk of cancer- so early treatment is important.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy is when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. It is more common in women who have had Chlamydia infection, because of scarring in the pelvis. Ectopic pregnancy can cause serious internal bleeding, and may be fatal if not diagnosed in time. Any woman whose period is late and develops sharp pelvic pain should be checked for ectopic pregnancy.

Complications in pregnancy

If a woman has untreated Chlamydia during pregnancy, it can increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. It can also be passed to the baby in the form of conjunctivitis or pneumonia. Women are routinely checked for Chlamydia at the start of each pregnancy.

Infertility

Infertility can be caused by silent or symptomatic Chlamydia infection. In women, this is due to scarring caused by the infection, which blocks the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg travelling from the ovaries to the uterus. In men, Chlamydia can also reduce fertility by causing inflammation of the testicles and affecting sperm quality.

For people who are sexually active, it’s recommended to have a screening test once a year, and when starting a new sexual relationship  (this involves a simple urine test).

If you have further concerns about Chlamydia infection or would like to get tested, talk to your doctor.

If you’ve tested positive for chlamydia or another STI, you should try to inform recent sexual partners. If you feel unable to contact them directly yourself, letthemknow.org.au can help you do so anonymously.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection or STI  that can infect men and women- it is the most commonly reported communicable disease in Australia. While it often goes undetected, it can cause a lot of damage to a woman’s reproductive system, putting her future ability to become pregnant at risk. Ectopic pregnancy (which can be life-threatening) and severe pelvic infections are other serious complications.

 How do you catch chlamydia?

You catch it by having vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who has Chlamydia. It is possible to catch it from a male partner even if he does not ejaculate. Pregnant women who have Chlamydia may pass it to their baby during childbirth.

Can you get chlamydia more than once?

Yes it’s possible to catch it more than once- if you’ve been treated for Chlamydia in the past but then have sex with someone who currently has Chlamydia, unfortunately you can catch it again.

How do I know I have Chlamydia?

Most people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms. Sometimes symptoms may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected person. It can cause a lot of harm to your body even if it is silent.

Women may notice abnormal vaginal discharge, a burning sensation when passing urine or bleeding between their periods. Men may experience discharge from the penis, burning when passing urine and occasionally pain and swelling in one or both testicles.

How is an STI check done for Chlamydia?

Your doctor may perform an STI check via a urine sample or swab.

What happens if I don’t treat it?

Untreated Chlamydia can lead to serious health problems- even though it may start out as a silent condition, with no symptoms.

• In women, untreated Chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes (these are the tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus)- this can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID may have no symptoms, but some women may experience abdominal or pelvic pain. Pelvic infection can cause women to become acutely unwell, and in the longer term to infertility. It can also increase the chances of developing an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus which can lead to internal bleeding and death).
• Men rarely have health problems linked to Chlamydia. Infection sometimes spreads to the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, causing pain and fever.
• Untreated chlamydia can make it easier to catch HIV from an infected partner.

If you have further concerns about your sexual health, speak to your GP.

If you have been diagnosed with an STI, it’s advised to let your recent sexual partners know- if you feel unable to do this directly, there are some online resources such as letthemknow.org.au that can assist you to do so anonymously.