Warning over stealth STI that can leave you infertile – 4 hidden signs to watch for | The Sun

PEOPLE have been warned to be on the lookout for a stealth sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can leave you infertile.

Medics have questioned why health professionals aren't looking into mycoplasma genitalism – also known as M.gen.

While the condition has been around for decades, researchers have called for more studies to be done on the bacterial infection.

In some cases, the illness can be asymptomatic, with the majority of people catching it being undiagnosed and untreated.

Speaking this week at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, Dr Irene Stafford, associate professor of maternal-foetal medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston said it's a 'real concern'.

During the conference, CDC officials warned of 'out of control' infections, NBC reported.

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The infection can lead to severe complications, the most tragic, experts have found is the risk in premature births and infertility.

In order to stop the infection from spreading, like any STI it's key you use protection such as condoms, as other methods such as the contraceptive pill will not protect you.

It's also key to be aware of the main symptoms, which are:

  1. Pain and discomfort while urinating
  2. Strange discharge – so anything that's not normal for you, this applies to both men and women
  3. Pain in the lower abdomen – women only
  4. Bleeding after sex – women only

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A study published in May, in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infection, found that premature births doubled in women who had contracted M.gen.

But it can lead to different complications in different genders.

In women, it's mostly associated with cervical swelling, pelvic inflammation, miscarriage, premature births and infertility.

This is while men are likely to experience a swelling and irritation of the urethra, also known as urethritis.

One expert said that as many as 20 per cent of sexually active women in the US could be infected with bug, with 16.5 per cent of men also being at risk.

Testing is new when it comes to M.gen, and experts at the CDC don't recommend routine screening for the infection.

In the UK tests for this condition have only recently been developed.

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The NHS says if you can't be tested and have symptoms, you will be treated as though you might have it.

Patients are only usually screened if they are displaying symptoms of the infection.

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