latest secret STD (mycoplasma genitalium, or MG).

What you should know about this 'new' STD

Just like many other STDs, MG is often asymptomatic
As if there's not enough bad STD news to worry about already—a recent study suggests there's a new sexually transmitted infection in town. Introducing: mycoplasma genitalium, or MG.

Though experts have known of MG's existence since the '80s, the new paper published in the International Journal of Epidemiology reveals that the bacterial infection, which resides in the urinary and genital tracts, likely spreads through sexual contact.

To reach their findings, researchers at University College London, examined urine samples of 4,507 men and women between 18 and 44 years old who were sexually active with at least one partner. Of these participants, 48 women and 24 men were diagnosed with MG. However, when the researchers tested urine samples from about 200 teenagers who had never had sex, zero tested positive for the infection.

sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Chlamydia

Chlamydia
1. What is it?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), particularly amongst
teenagers and young adults. It's caused by
bacteria and is spread by having unprotected sex
-- vaginal, anal, or oral -- with someone who is
infected, even though they may not have any
symptoms .
2. How do I know if I have it?
You can have Chlamydia for a long time before
symptoms show up. In fact, many people never
have symptoms. 70% of women and 50% of men
who have Chlamydia may not show symptoms.
So even if you don't have any symptoms, you
might be spreading it to others during
unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex.
The symptoms in women are:
Increased vaginal discharge.
Vaginal itching.
Bleeding between periods.
Bleeding during or after sex.
Pain in your lower abdomen.
Burning feeling when you pee.
The symptoms in men are:
A watery discharge coming from your penis.
Burning or itching around the tip your penis.
Needing to pee a lot.
Burning feeling when you pee.
Pain in your testicles.
3. How do I get it?
By having unprotected vaginal sex (penis in
vagina), anal sex, or oral sex (mouth to penis or
vagina) with a person who already has it.
It can also be spread by transferring the infection
from the genitals to your fingers to your eyes.
Remember, having unprotected sex with someone
is risky because they can have Chlamydia and not
even know it.
4. How do I get tested?
The only way to know for sure if you or your
partner has Chlamydia or any STI is to get tested.
You can get tested at a Peel Public Health
Healthy Sexuality Clinic ( by appointment only),
your local walk-in clinic, or your family doctor.
The test for women involves taking a swab from
the cervix (the opening of the uterus.) For men,
the doctor or nurse will take a swab of the
opening of the penis (the urethra), or they may
take a urine sample.
5. How is it treated?
Chlamydia is treated using specific antibiotics
prescribed by your doctor. You should not have
any sex, including oral sex, until you have finished
all of the treatment and have had a follow-up
test (test of cure) to make sure the infection is
gone.
Your sexual partners need to be advised and get
tested and treated for Chlamydia, whether or not
they have symptoms.
If left untreated, Chlamydia is one of the main
causes of infertility in men and women. This
means you may not be able to have children in
the future. Untreated Chlamydia can also lead to
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
REMEMBER: Using condoms every time you have
sex can lower your chances of getting an STI and
HIV/AIDS.

uncommon sexually transmitted infections (STIs): bacteria vaginosis

Bacteria vaginosis

1. What is it?
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a very common
vaginal infection. Small amounts of bacteria in the
vagina grow more than normal which results in a
strange smelling vaginal discharge. (NOTE: BV is
not often found in men.)
BV is not harmful but some of the symptoms can
cause you discomfort.
2. How do I know if I have it?
For women the symptoms are:
White or grayish discharge from your vagina,
sometimes in large amounts; the discharge has a
fishy smell, especially after you have sex.
Pain, burning or itching in the vagina - these
symptoms are less common.
For men:
BV is not often found in men.
3. How do I get it?
BV causes normal levels of bacteria in the vagina
to grow more than usual. A change in normal
levels of bacteria can be caused by:
Stress
Having frequent sex
Certain antibiotics
Some forms of birth control
BV is more common in young women who are
sexually active.
4. How do I get tested for it?
The only way to know for sure if you have BV or
any STI is to get tested. You can get tested at a
Peel Public Health Healthy Sexuality Clinic ( by
appointment only), your local walk-in clinic, or
your family doctor. They'll test for BV by taking
swabs from the vagina. Again, men aren't usually
tested for BV.
5. How is it treated?
BV is treated by prescription drugs or a special
vaginal cream.
6. How do I prevent it?
Douching is NOT the answer. In fact it may make
BV worse by washing away the 'good' bacteria in
the vagina. Try to avoid using deodorant tampons
or pads, perfumed soaps, bath oils, or feminine
hygiene sprays.
A good idea is to wear cotton underwear during
the day! It's also better if you don't sleep in your
underwear either.
It's really better for you to NOT wear a thong. In
fact, loose-fitting pants will help you to avoid
getting BV.
Make sure to change out of your wet bathing suit
or sweaty exercise clothes as soon as you can.
REMEMBER: Using condoms every time you have
sex can lower your chances of getting an STI and
HIV/AIDS.