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What is ureaplasma?
Written and reviewed by Slava Fuzayloff | Published on June 16, 2024
Ureaplasma is a microbe that peacefully lives on the surface of the moist inner lining of some organs, such as the mouth, lungs, urethra, vagina, and rectum, without causing any harm to human health.
Many healthy, sexually active adults have Ureaplasma in the genital tract.
Two types of ureaplasma are known- Urealyticum and Parvum. Ureaplasma urealyticum is a more common cause of health problems such as urethritis (and others), and testing for urealyticum is considered in the diagnosis.
[2, 3]
Ureaplasma urealyticum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureaplasma_urealyticum
Ureaplasma Infection
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/231470-overview
Is ureaplasma an STD?
No. It is not considered a classic STD because, most of the time, it is not capable of causing a disease. But it is worth mentioning that it is mainly transmitted via sexual contact since 80% of females have Ureaplasma in the vaginal secretion.
Who is at risk of getting Ureaplasma?
If you are negative for Ureaplasma, the following activities and conditions will increase the chance of getting Ureaplasma:
✓ Unprotected vaginal, oral, or rectal sex
✓ Sharing sex toys with partners
✓ Low immune system
✓ The presence of other genital infections
The infection can be transmitted with and without symptoms.
Ureaplasma in male
Ureaplasma infection can usually cause the following medical problems during the disease process in males:
✓ Urethritis- the infection of the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
✓ Prostatitis- the inflammation of the prostate gland
✓ Infertility due to sperm distortion that reduces mobility
✓ Kidney stone formation
Ureaplasma in female
Most females have ureaplasma in the genital tract (at least 60%) without showing any symptoms of infection.
However, ureaplasma can cause the following medical problems in females:
✓ BV (bacterial vaginosis)
✓ Urethritis-the infection of the tube that carries urine from the bladder
✓ Cervicitis- inflammation of the cervix
✓ Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)- an infection of a woman's reproductive tract
✓ Pregnancy-related problems such as preterm labor
✓ Infertility
✓ Kidney stones
Oral ureaplasma
Ureaplasma can infect the oral area and stay there without causing symptoms for years, but it happens less frequently.
Rectal ureaplasma
Ureaplasma can colonize the rectal area. The rectal swab for ureaplasma is very rarely done, but a recent study showed an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection for people with rectal ureaplasma. [1] A Case of Rectal Ureaplasma Infection and Implications for Testing in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: The P18 Cohort Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5374866/
How do you reduce the chance of getting Ureaplasma Urealyticum?
To prevent Ureaplasma transmission, the same methods that prevent classic sexually transmitted diseases are advisable [3] Ureaplasma Infection https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/231470-overview
✓ Condom or other barrier methods used
✓ Cleaning sex toys after using them
Since ureaplasma is not considered a classic STD, other things that support natural body defenses and Ph balance of the genitals should help:
✓ Wearing clean, breathable underwear
✓ Changing dirty and sweaty clothes promptly
Does positive Ureaplasma urealyticum mean cheating?
No. Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria that can live in the area without causing harm. A partner might never have any symptoms, and the Ureaplasma test is not the one that is routinely advised on asymptomatic people.
Source
-
A Case of Rectal Ureaplasma Infection and Implications for Testing in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: The P18 Cohort Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5374866/ -
Ureaplasma urealyticum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureaplasma_urealyticum -
Ureaplasma Infection
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/231470-overview
