Three hidden infections
Chlamydia often occurs without symptoms and leads to inflammation of the tubes, adhesions and tubal infertility - PCR is the only reliable way to detect it and it is mandatory for infertility and planning pregnancy. Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma hominis are opportunistic: treatment is required for symptoms, inflammation, infertility, before IVF and pregnancy, or at high concentrations; Mycoplasma genitalium is an absolute pathogen and is always treated. The analysis is performed outside of menstruation, without antibiotics for 3–4 weeks; Based on the results, the gynecologist prescribes treatment for both partners with follow-up in a month.
Indications
- discharge, itching, burning, pain during urination and sexual intercourse;
- inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), appendages, chronic colpitis with relapses;
- pregnancy planning and examination during pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage;
- new sexual partner, unprotected contact, STI in a partner;
- before operations, hysteroscopy, IUD insertion, IVF;
- cure control.
Why PCR
Polymerase chain reaction detects pathogen DNA even in minimal quantities and in asymptomatic cases, distinguishes between species (for example, Ureaplasma parvum and urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium), and the quantitative format shows the concentration - important for opportunistic microbes, which are treated only when the threshold is exceeded. A regular smear on the flora shows only leukocytes and gross changes; sowing is long; PCR is a fast and accurate standard for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections.
