Mycoplasma genitalium culture (with antimicrobial susceptibility testing)

This test is done to find out whether you have an infection and to help your doctor identify what may be causing it. Knowing the cause allows your care team to choose the most effective treatment, monitor how well it is working, and help prevent complications or the spread of infection to others.

Doctors may order this test if you have symptoms like unusual discharge, pain during urination, or pelvic pain, especially if other tests (like PCR) suggest *Mycoplasma genitalium*. It’s also used in cases of recurrent infections that don’t clear up with standard treatments.

Before the test, tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you take, because some of them can affect the results. You may be asked to avoid certain foods, drinks, or medications for a short time. Wear comfortable clothing, plan extra time for check-in, and ask questions about anything you do not understand.

You’ll provide a sample of vaginal fluid (or sometimes urine) collected by a healthcare provider. No special preparation is needed, but avoid sexual activity for 24 hours before testing to reduce contamination.

During the test, your care team collects a small sample, such as blood, urine, or a swab from the affected area, depending on the type of infection being checked. The sample is labeled and sent to a laboratory, where specialists examine it or run tests to look for the germs that cause infection.

The sample is grown in a lab to detect *Mycoplasma genitalium* bacteria. If present, the culture will show bacterial growth over days to weeks. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing may follow to identify which antibiotics work best.

Your results show whether an infection was found. A positive result usually means germs were detected in your sample, and your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. A negative result suggests no infection was found, although repeat testing is sometimes needed if symptoms continue or the sample did not reveal the problem.

A positive result means *Mycoplasma genitalium* is present. A negative result means it wasn’t detected in this sample. Results may take several days to weeks to confirm.