Urine
STI home test Basic 4
PCR home test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas and Mycoplasma genitalium.
€ 65,00
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STIs · Urine
Mycoplasma genitalium PCR (urine)
PCR test for Mycoplasma genitalium in the first part of the urine; most informative with long-lasting urethral symptoms or a treated partner.
At a glance
- Measured in urine
- In 5 test panels
- Check the preparation
Explanation
Mycoplasma genitalium PCR (urine): what is measured?
Mycoplasma genitalium is a small bacterium that is transmitted through sex. In men, it can cause inflammation of the urethra; for other symptoms or complications there is no good evidence. More than 90 in 100 infections cause no symptoms, and some clear up on their own. The PCR looks for genetic material of the bacterium in the first part of the urine; that is why you only collect the first part of the stream and, according to the kit instructions, do not urinate for at least 1 hour beforehand.
What can it detect?
- An infection with Mycoplasma genitalium of the urethra
- A possible cause of urethritis in men that lasts longer than 4 weeks while chlamydia and gonorrhea have been ruled out or already treated
Result
What does the result mean?
Positive result
A positive result means that the bacterium is present. According to Thuisarts and Soa Aids Nederland, treatment is not medically needed without symptoms: the infection is not dangerous, probably has no effect on fertility and often clears up on its own. Treatment is useful in men with symptoms that have lasted longer than 4 weeks, and if a sexual partner is being treated. The bacterium is often insensitive (resistant) to antibiotics: in Dutch research, 66 percent of the bacteria found had features of resistance to the first-choice drug and 9 percent to the second-choice drug. Unnecessary treatment increases that resistance.
Negative result
A negative result means that the bacterium was not found in the urine. How long it takes after infection before the test becomes positive is not known; the LCI guideline (RIVM) calls the incubation period unclear. If you keep having urethral symptoms, the doctor looks for another cause.
After an abnormal result
With a positive result and symptoms, the GP has a separate test for macrolide resistance done if needed, because this PCR does not determine resistance, and usually prescribes a course of antibiotics matched to it; if the symptoms persist, a different antibiotic or referral to a urologist follows. The current sexual partner is informed so they can get tested. Mycoplasma genitalium is not notifiable.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
The real-time PCR (NAAT) on first-void urine or a genital swab is the way to detect Mycoplasma genitalium. In people without symptoms, a positive result has no proven health benefit, and treatment without symptoms makes resistance increase. This test only shows whether the bacterium is present and does not determine resistance to antibiotics. With a positive result, the guideline often advises a separate test for macrolide resistance (insensitivity to the first-choice drug); the treating doctor requests this separately if needed.
What can affect the result?
- The incubation period is unknown; shortly after a risk contact, the test can miss an infection.
- A positive result does not say whether the bacterium is the cause of symptoms; most people with the bacterium have no symptoms.
- If you urinated less than 1 hour before collecting the sample, or collect more than the first part of the stream, the sample is diluted and the test can miss an infection.
- Urine only tests the urethra. In men who have sex with men, the bacterium is often in the anus, usually without symptoms; that infection is missed with urine.
Preparation
- Collect the urine when you have not passed urine for at least 1 hour.
- Collect only the first part of the stream, not the middle part.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
The result is most informative in men with pain when urinating or discharge from the penis that lasts longer than 4 weeks, when chlamydia and gonorrhea have been ruled out or already treated without success, and in men whose sexual partner is being treated for Mycoplasma genitalium. In people without symptoms, a positive result has no proven health benefit. Urethral symptoms are more often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea.
How common is it?
Because Mycoplasma genitalium is not routinely tested for, there are no current national figures. In general practice, the bacterium is found in about 4.5 percent of people tested. In a study at two large Centers for Sexual Health, this was 13.6 percent of women, 8.2 percent of heterosexual men and 20.1 percent of men who have sex with men, usually without symptoms.
LCI guideline on Mycoplasma genitalium infection (Hetem 2021); RIVM
Drawbacks and risks
- A positive result without symptoms can lead to treatment that is not medically needed and that increases the bacterium's resistance to antibiotics.
- A positive result can cause unnecessary worry or tension in a relationship, while the bacterium usually does no harm.
Get tested
Mycoplasma genitalium PCR (urine): test panels
Mycoplasma genitalium PCR (urine) is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
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Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and results- RIVM-LCI-richtlijn Mycoplasma genitalium-infectie (2024)
- Multidisciplinaire Richtlijn Seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen (2024), module C7 Mycoplasma genitalium-infectie
- Thuisarts.nl: Ik heb mycoplasma
- RIVM: Mycoplasma genitalium
- Soa Aids Nederland (professionals): Testen op mycoplasma (bijgewerkt 9 juli 2026)
- Medlab Stein, leistungsverzeichnis: Mycoplasma-genitalium-DNA
More explanations
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