Ureaplasma - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

What Is Ureaplasma Infection?

Ureaplasma is a very small bacterium in the Mycoplasmataceae family. It is generally found in humans' urinary and genital tracts. Ureaplasma usually does not cause any problems, but when it grows in large numbers, it can cause infections, which are referred to as ureaplasma infections.

Ureaplasma infection is common in both genders, but females are affected most. It is also linked to conditions like infertility and can increase complications during pregnancy (for both mother and baby).

How Is Ureaplasma Transmitted?

Ureaplasma usually lives in your body. Here’s how it can spread:

• Ureaplasma is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. That being said, Ureaplasma is a prevalent condition in sexually active adults.

• There are cases where Ureaplasma has been transmitted from mother to her child. This type of infection is very short-lived and usually goes away on its own within a span of one to two months. Generally speaking, Ureaplasma is very rare in children and adults who are not sexually active.

• Also, people with a weakened immune system have a high risk of getting a Ureaplasma infection.

• It has also been identified that women have a high risk of getting Ureaplasma infection along with vaginal infections if they have had multiple sexual partners.

• Even though it's not common, it can also spread through respiratory, nasal, and eye secretions.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Ureaplasma?

Most people who have Ureaplasma don’t feel sick at all; they don’t even know it’s there! But sometimes, it can cause:

• Pain during urination.

• Pain during sex.

• Pain in the lower abdomen and in the genitals.

• Urgency to urinate.

• Foul-smelling discharge.

• Wetness on the tip of the penis.

• Itching and inflammation in the genital area.

Here are some specific symptoms:

Since Ureaplasma is a potential cause for inflammation of the urethra, it might lead to urethritis in both men and women. Here are some of the symptoms of urethritis:

• Unusual discharge.

• Pain during urination.

• Irritation.

• Burning sensation.

Also, in women, Ureaplasma can cause bacterial vaginosis, and some of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:

• Watery vaginal discharge.

• Unpleasant odor from the vagina.

• Vaginal itching.

• Green or gray color, occasional discharge.

What Are the Risks of Ureaplasma During Pregnancy for the Mother and Baby?

Doctors have found that Ureaplasma might cause some problems during pregnancy, for both the mother and the baby.

1. Risks for the mother:

• Chorioamnionitis (inflammation of fetal membranes).

• Increased risk of preterm delivery.

• Premature rupture of the fetal membrane.

• Increased risk of infections.

• Funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord).

• Infection of the amniotic fluid.

• Also, Ureaplasma has been associated with an increase in the risk of postpartum endometritis, which is nothing but an inflammation of the uterus after delivery.

2. Risks for the baby:

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease.

• Intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding around the ventricles of the brain).

• Early-onset sepsis (systemic infection within 72 hours after birth).

• Long-term neurological issues.

• Like a mother, the baby may also be susceptible to infections.

• Pneumonia.

• Meningitis.

• Low birth weight.

• Eye issues.

• Gastrointestinal issues.

Can Ureaplasma Affect Fertility?

Doctors aren’t 100 percent sure yet; there aren’t many studies. But, they have found that there may be a link between infertility and Ureaplasma. Moreover, Ureaplasma bacteria have been identified in both men and women who have been suffering from infertility.

1. In men:

• The doctors have suggested that the bacteria can possibly affect the quality and quantity of sperm in men.

• Ureaplasma can increase the production of anti-sperm antibodies.

• Additionally, Ureaplasma, which causes male reproductive tract infections, can also cause infertility.

2. In women:

• When it comes to women, a particular type of Ureaplasma called Ureaplasma urealyticum is often seen in cases where there is unexplained infertility.

• Ureaplasma, which causes bacterial vaginosis, can lead to tubal infertility.

In general, any infection in the genital tract accounts for 15 percent of all infertility cases in males. These infections are not only due to Ureaplasma but also due to sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

How Is Ureaplasma Infection Diagnosed?

There is no specific diagnostic method that the doctor uses to detect Ureaplasma. If the doctor has observed every symptom and has ruled out any other medical condition, the doctor will take a sample and send it to the lab. The following tests can be used to diagnose Ureaplasma infections:

• Culture: A cervical, endometrial, or urine swab taken. This sample is grown in the lab and then checked for bacteria.

• An endometrial biopsy.

• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays: This test is more sensitive than cultures. It has a sensitivity of 96.5 % and a specificity of 93.6 %.

• Molecular-based assays: This test detects specific nucleic acids and identifies the bacteria.

What Are the Effective Treatment Options for Ureaplasma?

Similar to treating other infections, Ureaplasma infections are also treated with the help of antibiotics.

• The most common ones doctors use are Azithromycin and Doxycycline; these usually work for most people.

• If those don’t work, doctors might try a stronger medicine called fluoroquinolones.

• For newborn babies who get Ureaplasma and have lung problems, doctors often give Erythromycin.

• For pregnant women whose water breaks too early (before the baby is ready), doctors may use Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, or Erythromycin to help.

With the right medicine, most people get better and feel fine again.

How to Prevent Ureaplasma Infections?

Since Ureaplasma mostly spreads during private close contact, the best way for adults to avoid it is to practice safe habits.

• Use protection like male or female condoms or dental dams.

• Keep clean, wash the private area before being close to someone.

• Avoid unsafe or dirty habits that can spread germs.

• People with many partners, weaker body defenses, or other health problems should see a doctor for regular checkups and follow their advice.

• Doing these things can help protect against Ureaplasma and other infections.

What Are the Potential Health Complications Caused by Ureaplasma?

Besides the problems it might cause for pregnant women and babies, Ureaplasma can also cause other health troubles in the body. These are:

• Reactive arthritis (arthritis triggered by infection).

• Infertility.

• Prostatitis.

• Endometriosis.

• Urogenital infections.

• Increased risk of kidney stones.

• Ureaplasma can affect organs like the lungs, bones, and joints in individuals with an antibody deficiency, in which the immune system does not produce enough antibodies to fight off infections.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, Ureaplasma is present in our body as a regular part of the microbiome. It does not cause any trouble in most cases, and infections also go away quickly. Have a healthy and safe sex practice to prevent the spread.

Infection during pregnancy is a concern, so pregnant women must look out for any unusual symptoms and have regular prenatal checkups. Fortunately, some antibiotics have shown promising effects that might help overcome these infections.

Note from iCliniq

• Ureaplasma infection is highly prevalent among females (40 to 80 %).

• In the majority of cases, Ureaplasma does not cause any symptoms. But it is linked to infertility and can increase complication rates during pregnancy.

• Diagnosis is usually made with the help of clinical symptoms and lab tests, and treatments usually include antibiotics like Doxycycline and Azithromycin.

• Though it is asymptomatic most of the time, increased growth can cause complications. So, early diagnosis is necessary. Here, at iCliniq, an infectious disease specialist can help you with proper diagnosis and treatment.