Trichomonas and mycoplasma genitalium are among the STIs you read about less often, even though both are fairly common. Both frequently cause mild symptoms or none at all, so you can carry an infection without noticing. Another point that surprises many people: a standard STI test doesn't always check for them by default. In this article we calmly explain what they are, which signals can play up, and how testing usually works.
No reason to panic. These are treatable infections, and testing exists precisely to take away the doubt.
What are trichomonas and mycoplasma genitalium?
Trichomonas is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis), while mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium. Both are usually passed on sexually and can irritate the genital area. They're often mentioned together because both are easy to overlook.
What they share is that symptoms can be mild or absent. According to Soa Aids Nederland, trichomonas runs without clear symptoms in a portion of people (Soa Aids Nederland). Mycoplasma genitalium only became more widely recognised in recent years, and here too symptoms often stay away.
As a result, an infection can go unnoticed for a while. That makes it hard to rely on how you feel alone. Sometimes you only notice something is up once a test shows it.
What symptoms can trichomonas and mycoplasma cause?
For both, the symptoms resemble other STIs and can be very mild. Think of changed discharge, a burning feeling when you pee, itching or irritation. In many people, though, clear symptoms stay away entirely.
With trichomonas, people sometimes mention discharge that smells different or changes colour. With mycoplasma genitalium there can be irritation of the urethra or lower abdomen, but here too complaints are often vague. A recurring or persistent discomfort can be a reason to have it looked at.
Worth naming: whether or not you have symptoms says little about whether you have an infection. Someone without symptoms can still get a positive result.
Because these signals can look like so many other things, only a test gives a clear answer.
If you have doubts about symptoms around peeing, it can help to first read about the difference between an STI and a UTI.
Why are they often missed in a standard test?
A common STI panel usually focuses on chlamydia and gonorrhoea, sometimes with HIV and syphilis added. Trichomonas and mycoplasma genitalium aren't always included by default, so an infection can stay out of view if you don't test for it specifically.
That's no accident. Thuisarts.nl describes that not every STI test checks for all infections, and that the choice depends on your situation (Thuisarts.nl). So it pays to check upfront what a panel actually covers.
Mycoplasma genitalium sits in a standard panel even less often than trichomonas. If you want it looked at specifically, it's wise to flag that when choosing your test.
If you want to include these two, pick a test that names them explicitly. For chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas in one go, you can look at the chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas test.
Trichomonas vs mycoplasma genitalium: a comparison
The two are alike in how quietly they can run, but differ in background and approach. Below we set them side by side so you can see the broad strokes. This is general information, not a substitute for a tailored assessment.
- What it is - trichomonas is a parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis); mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium
- Typical symptoms - for both often mild or absent; sometimes discharge, burning or irritation
- How it's tested - for both usually a PCR test on urine or a swab
- Why often missed - both are far from always in a standard STI panel, so you test for them specifically
In short: different cause, similarly hard to notice, and both worth considering if you want a broader picture.
How do you get tested for trichomonas and mycoplasma?
Testing for trichomonas and mycoplasma genitalium usually involves a PCR test on a urine sample or a swab. You can do such a test at the GP or sexual-health clinic, or at your own pace with a home test that mails the sample to a certified laboratory.
Keep the window period in mind: the time after a risk contact when an infection isn't yet reliably detectable. If the timing is uncertain, a repeat test later can be worthwhile.
To work out which test suits your situation, read our guide on which STI test you need and when.
If your doubts are mainly about gonorrhoea-like symptoms, recognising and testing for gonorrhoea may help you further.
And if the result is positive?
A positive result for trichomonas or mycoplasma genitalium usually means treatment with medication is possible, often through your GP. It's good to then discuss with a doctor what fits your case, and whether any partner would like to test too.
Try not to attach judgement to it. An STI says nothing about who you are, and these infections are more common than many people think.
If you want a broader check, an overview of recognising chlamydia and getting checked can be a useful addition. For more background on the parasite, see our page on trichomonas.
Sources: Soa Aids Nederland - Trichomonas, Thuisarts.nl - Soa, RIVM - Soa.
Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
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