PASS Medical Advisory Board to Meet Tuesday

Given the continued incidence of Mycoplasma genitalium (often referred to as "Mgen") within our community, PASS is increasing efforts to raise awareness, expand testing options and reduce risk. The PASS Medical Advisory Board will meet Tuesday to review guidance. Due to the lack of widespread testing, few people test Mgen unless they are experiencing symptoms. However, recent reports from limited sample size testing data may suggest a rise in rates. 

Mgen is a bacterial infection with symptoms similar to chlamydia and gonorrhea. Public health authorities have advised against indiscriminate, widespread screening, due to the risks of potential overtreatment and the broader impact on public health.  However, if you are experiencing symptoms or may otherwise be at risk, free and low-cost testing is available at PASS-certified partner locations.

Tomorrow, August 15, the PASS Medical Advisory Board will meet to review the available data and update guidance on Mgen, including additional strategies for identification, prevention, and treatment. All PASS Certified Testing Partners — Mpowerr, TBD Health, and CLEAR – currently provide Mgen testing. TTS announced this morning that it will provide Mgen tests at no cost.

While testing for Mgen is not mandated at this time, if you exhibit symptoms or test positive for Mgen, you should abstain from sexual activity until you have received clearance from your healthcare provider. Additional PASS guidance on managing a potential Mgen infection can be found here. 

We thank the community for its continued vigilance around matters of sexual health, and partners in and out of the PASS system for working with us to provide free and low-cost testing. 

For information regarding Mycoplasma genitalium, testing procedures, and prevention strategies, please visit https://www.passcertified.org/news/pass-statement-on-genital-mycoplasmas.