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Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Transmision
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Ureaplasmais a genus of bacteria that primarily infects the genitals and urinary tract. It can be passed through sexual contact but is not considered asexually transmitted infection (STI)because of its low degree of pathogenicity (capacity to cause disease).
It is estimated that a large proportion of the sexually active population is infected withUreaplasmawithout it causing any symptoms. However, when a person’simmune systemis low and the bacterium overgrows, it can cause urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) or bacterial vaginosis and possibly contribute to infertility.
Some infections will clear up on their own; others need to be treated with a course of antibiotics.
This article explains whatUreaplasmais, including the symptoms, modes of transmission, and methods of diagnosis. It also explains how infections are prevented and treated and the possible complications of an untreated infection.
Milko / Getty Images
What Does “Ureaplasma-Positive” Mean?
Ureaplasmabelongs to a class of bacteria known as mycoplasma. These are the smallest self-replicating organisms known in nature and ones that tend to be commensal in the human body (meaning cohabitate with other organisms without causing damage).
There are two major strains known asUreaplasma urealyticumandUreaplasma parvum.
How Common Is Ureaplasma?Females (people with a vagina) appear more vulnerable toUreaplasmainfections than males (people with a penis). Studies suggest that infection rates may be as high as 40% to 80% in females and up to 50% in males.
How Common Is Ureaplasma?
Females (people with a vagina) appear more vulnerable toUreaplasmainfections than males (people with a penis). Studies suggest that infection rates may be as high as 40% to 80% in females and up to 50% in males.
It is only when the bacteria overgrows and establishes a symptomatic infection that a person may need treatment. An active infection may also place a person of any sex at an increased risk ofinfertility.
Ureaplasma Symptoms
IfUreaplasmais well-controlled and living in check with other organisms in thegenital microbiome, it will not cause any symptoms. In fact, the vast majority ofUreaplasmainfections areasymptomatic(without symptoms) and may never cause any symptoms.
However, if the immune system cannot control the bacterium,Ureaplasmacan overgrow and establish a symptomatic infection in the urinary and/or genital tract. This can lead to infections known asnongonococcal urethritis (NGU)orbacterial vaginosis (BV).
Nongonococcal Urethritis
Studies vary, but some suggest that the incidence ofUreaplasmain people with NGU ranges from 32% to 44%.
Common symptoms of NGU include:
People with a penis may also experiencebalanitis(inflammation of the penis head) orposthitis(inflammation of the foreskin),while people with a vagina may experiencecervicitis(inflammation of the cervix) and vaginal bleeding.
How Non-Gonococcal Urethritis Is Treated
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria in the vagina gets out of sync. Symptoms tend to be mild but can be persistent and difficult to treat.
Common symptoms of BV include:
While many people with BV are asymptomatic, studies suggest that those withUreaplasma are 4 times more likely to experience symptoms compared to other common bacteria types.
How Bacterial Vaginosis Is Treated
Understanding Ureaplasma Transmission
Ureaplasmacan be passed through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Although the vagina and penis are common sites of infection,Ureaplasmacan also inhabit the mouthand rectum,though they don’t typically cause any symptoms.
Ureaplasmacan also be passed to a fetus or newborn during pregnancy. This can occur while the fetus is in theuterus(womb) or as it passes through the birth canal during delivery.The rate ofUreaplasmatransmission from birthing parent to child is 15% to 88%.
How to Get Tested for Ureaplasma
Ureaplasmainfection can be diagnosed with a urine sample or aswab of fluid from the vagina or urethra. The bacteria can be detected withpolymerase chain reaction (PCR), a test that is able to multiply even small amounts of an organism’s genetic material (DNA) to detectable levels.
The test is highly accurate, with asensitivityof 96.5% and specificity of 93.6%.(Sensitivity refers to a test’s ability to return a true positive result, while specificity is the ability to return a true negative result.) Results can usually be returned within 36 hours.
The PCR can also be used to detectUreaplasmain the mouth, throat, rectum, and eyes.
At-Home Ureaplasma Test KitsAt-home tests are available to detectUreaplasmaalone or as part of a panel of STIs. The cost of these tests is between $100 and $250.The tests allow you to take a genital swab in the privacy of your home and mail it to a lab for testing. The results are usually returned via a secure website within two to three business days.
At-Home Ureaplasma Test Kits
At-home tests are available to detectUreaplasmaalone or as part of a panel of STIs. The cost of these tests is between $100 and $250.The tests allow you to take a genital swab in the privacy of your home and mail it to a lab for testing. The results are usually returned via a secure website within two to three business days.
At-home tests are available to detectUreaplasmaalone or as part of a panel of STIs. The cost of these tests is between $100 and $250.
The tests allow you to take a genital swab in the privacy of your home and mail it to a lab for testing. The results are usually returned via a secure website within two to three business days.
Should My Partner Get Tested?
If you test positive forUreaplasmaduring a symptomatic infection, your partner can also be tested or simply be treated under the presumption that they haveUreaplasma.
Outside of a symptomatic infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend routine testing as the implication of a positive result may be negligible. In the end, havingUreaplasmadoes not mean that you will ever have symptoms or any health concerns.
The only exceptions may be for males who experience unexplained recurrent NGUs or females with unexplained recurrent cervicitis. In such cases, testing can help determine ifUreaplasmais the cause and direct the appropriate course of treatment.
A Guide to Regular STI Screening
Ureaplasma Antibiotics
As with any acute bacterial infection, the primary form of treatment for a symptomaticUreaplasmainfection isantibiotics. Even so, the treatment can be challenging due to the unique structure of the bacteria, which lacks a cell wall.
The CDC currently recommends the following treatment regimens for mycoplasma-induced NGU and cervicitis, includingUreaplasma:
Can Ureaplasma Go Away On Its Own?Oftentimes,Ureaplasmainfections will go away on their own without treatment, though antibiotics may be prescribed to speed the process.With that said, studies have shown that certain mutations of the bacteria can evade immune detection and either persist or recur.Because of this, people with recurrent unexplainedurinary tract infectionsshould undergo testing to determine ifUreaplasmais the cause.
Can Ureaplasma Go Away On Its Own?
Oftentimes,Ureaplasmainfections will go away on their own without treatment, though antibiotics may be prescribed to speed the process.With that said, studies have shown that certain mutations of the bacteria can evade immune detection and either persist or recur.Because of this, people with recurrent unexplainedurinary tract infectionsshould undergo testing to determine ifUreaplasmais the cause.
Oftentimes,Ureaplasmainfections will go away on their own without treatment, though antibiotics may be prescribed to speed the process.
With that said, studies have shown that certain mutations of the bacteria can evade immune detection and either persist or recur.Because of this, people with recurrent unexplainedurinary tract infectionsshould undergo testing to determine ifUreaplasmais the cause.
What Is Mycoplasma Genitalum?
Complications of Untreated Ureaplasma
There is even evidence, though not conclusive, thatUreaplasmamay cause unexplained infertility in some people.(“Infertility” is defined as the inability to conceive after trying for 12 months.)
This has been verified in studies in whichUreaplasma urealyticumis seen more frequently in females with unexplained infertility.Although study findings are inconsistent,Ureaplasmais also linked topelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that can also increase the risk of infertility.
In males, Ureaplasma (particularlyUreaplasma parvum) appears to lower not only thesperm countbut also the proportion of forward-moving sperm cells.
Whether the infection alone is the cause of infertility is unknown. What is known is that recurrent NGU or cervicitis can independently increase the risk of infertility despite the type of causative agent.
Pregnancy Complications
Ureaplasmacan affect a pregnancy, causingpreterm birth(meaning birth before 32 weeks of gestation).Ureaplasma parvumis the species most commonly associated with this.
A 2014 study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that nearly half of all preterm births involved birthing parents withUreaplasma. In such cases, the transmission occurred in utero (while in the uterus), causing infection in either therespiratory tract,nervous system,digestive tract, or multiple organ systems of the fetus.
Infection in these organs can lead to potentially severe complications in preterm babies, including:
While exposure toUreaplasmaon its own does not cause these complications—other factors such aslow birth weightand being born before 29 weeks can contribute—an infection in newborns is independently linked to a fourfold increased risk of BPD, a three-fold increased risk of NEC, and a 2.5-fold increased risk of HH.
Other Complications
In adults, it is uncommon forUreaplasmato disseminate (spread) and cause complications outside of the urinary and genital tracts. Even so, people who are severely immunocompromised are vulnerable to complications.
Among this group, rare complications have been reported, such as :
Severely immunocompromised people who experience these events—including organ transplant recipients and those withadvanced, untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—should be tested forUreaplasmato ensure the correct treatment is delivered.
What Is Mycoplasma Pneumonia?
Ureaplasma Prevention and Reinfection
BecauseUreaplasmaoften causes no symptoms, it is possible to be reinfected without knowing. It is unclear if repeated infection poses any health concerns in the absence of symptoms.
On the other hand, recurrent NGU and cervicitis do pose health risks. So, the avoidance of reinfection is essential—particularly if you are trying to get pregnant.
If you have been diagnosed withUreaplasma, you can take steps to reduce your risk of reinfection:
Ureaplasma and HPVSafer sex is important asUreaplasmais closely linked to thehuman papillomavirus (HPV). A 2018International Journal of Infectious Diseasessuggests that one in four females withUreaplasmahave ahigh-risk type of HPV(the types linked to an increased risk ofcervical cancer).
Ureaplasma and HPV
Safer sex is important asUreaplasmais closely linked to thehuman papillomavirus (HPV). A 2018International Journal of Infectious Diseasessuggests that one in four females withUreaplasmahave ahigh-risk type of HPV(the types linked to an increased risk ofcervical cancer).
Summary
Ureaplasmais a bacteria that can be passed through sex but is not a sexually transmitted infection because it can reside in the urinary and genital tracts without causing any symptoms. It can also be passed from birthing parent to child during pregnancy or delivery.
On occasion,Ureaplasmacan overgrow and cause infections like nongonococcal urethritis or cervicitis. Possible complications include infertility and preterm birth.
Ureaplasmacan be detected with a urine sample or swab of vaginal or urethral fluid. The infection may clear on its own or with a course of antibiotics, typically doxycycline or azithromycin.
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