Rates of little-known super-STI ‘that causes infertility’ have spiralled 64-FOLD within last decade, Government figures reveal
- Over 5,000 cases of mycoplasma genitalium were logged in England in 2021
- By comparison, just 79 cases of MG were recorded back in 2015, figures show
Rates of a super-STI which can cause infertility in women have soared 60-fold over the last decade, official figures revealed today.
More than 5,000 cases of mycoplasma genitalium — which is becoming resistant to drugs — were logged in England in 2021.
By comparison, just 79 cases of MG were recorded when experts first proved it was a sexually transmitted infection seven years ago.
Despite being discovered in the 1980s, very few people, even doctors, knew about it until very recently.
Mycoplasma genitalium, also known as M. genitalium or M. gen, causes serious symptoms including infertility, but is resistant to four different types of antibiotics. It is estimated that up to one in five sexually active US citizens could have it
That is because it is commonly misdiagnosed as chlamydia.
This mistake has allowed the bacteria to quietly grow stronger and spread under the radar.
And because it has been treated with the wrong drugs, it is now very resistant to any antibiotic.
Most people who carry MG have no symptoms — but can still pass it onto others.
Bad cases can cause painful inflammation for men.
But the STI can be more serious for women, potentially causing womb scarring that leaves them infertile.
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