Ureaplasma is a genus of tiny bacteria often found in the human genitourinary tract, which includes the urinary and reproductive systems. They are among the smallest known self-replicating organisms and are often part of the body’s natural microbiome. While common, especially in sexually active adults, an overgrowth of Ureaplasma can sometimes lead to health issues.
How Ureaplasma Spreads
Ureaplasma is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It inhabits the mucosal tissues of the genital and urinary tracts.
Beyond sexual transmission, Ureaplasma can also pass from a pregnant individual to their baby during childbirth.
Recognizing Ureaplasma Symptoms
Many individuals with Ureaplasma are asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they can vary depending on the individual’s sex and age.
In men, Ureaplasma can cause urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra. Symptoms may include a white or cloudy discharge from the penis, pain or burning during urination, and difficulty urinating.
Women may experience symptoms such as an unusual or watery vaginal discharge, an unpleasant vaginal odor, vaginal pain, or lower abdominal discomfort. Ureaplasma has also been linked to cervicitis in women.
In newborns, especially those born prematurely, Ureaplasma infection can manifest as respiratory issues, including pneumonia, or lead to low birth weight.
Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches
Diagnosing Ureaplasma infections involves specialized laboratory tests, as these bacteria are difficult to culture using standard methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are preferred because they detect the bacteria’s DNA, offering higher accuracy than culture tests. Samples for PCR testing can include swabs from the vagina, cervix, or urethra, as well as urine, amniotic fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment for Ureaplasma infections involves antibiotic therapy. Due to Ureaplasma lacking a cell wall, certain antibiotics like penicillin are ineffective. Prescribed antibiotics include azithromycin, often given as a single dose, or doxycycline, taken twice a day for seven days. To prevent reinfection, it is recommended that sexual partners also receive treatment, even if they show no symptoms. During treatment, couples should abstain from sexual activity or consistently use condoms until both partners have completed their full course of antibiotics and symptoms have resolved.
Potential Health Impacts
If left untreated, Ureaplasma infections can lead to various health complications. In women, it can contribute to conditions affecting reproductive health, such as bacterial vaginosis, which can alter vaginal pH and allow harmful bacteria to proliferate. Ureaplasma has also been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and chronic endometritis. For men, potential complications include epididymitis and, in some cases, a possible role in the formation of kidney stones.
Ureaplasma can also affect reproductive capacity in both sexes, with studies suggesting a link to infertility, although direct causation is still under research. During pregnancy, Ureaplasma has been associated with complications such as premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and even pregnancy loss. For newborns, particularly premature infants, Ureaplasma infection can result in serious issues like pneumonia, meningitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a condition where the lungs do not develop properly.