What could cause ureaplasma infection?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been married for a year, and my wife and I have been trying to conceive for the past year but we have not succeeded. Before marriage, I underwent STI testing multiple times over three years, and all results were negative. A few days before the wedding, I did a full range of tests (NCMT via PCR, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and others), and everything came back clean. Since there was difficulty getting pregnant, my wife and I decided to get tested, and I recently tested positive for Ureaplasma species through PCR, as well as tested positive for Mycoplasmosis IgA. What could this indicate? Is it possible that I contracted this from my wife, who has never had sexual contact before? Since Ureaplasma is considered an opportunistic pathogen, could this be something that was always present but has not caused issues until now? Please help.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear that you and your wife have been going through this. Even though Ureaplasma is an STI (sexually transmitted infection), traditionally it has not been classified as one. It is commonly present in the genital area of both men and women but may not always cause any symptoms. The majority of people who have been infected with this bacteria remain asymptomatic and symptoms may occur when the person is sick or has weakened immunity. The routes of transmission are sexual and from mother to child during vaginal birth. The reason you may have tested negative before is because they might not have tested for it. So yes, it is possible you were infected before but have been lucky to not have any symptoms. Ureaplasma in men generally tends to cause urethritis or epididymitis which presents as severe burning during urination or testicular pain. Even though treatment is not offered unless a person is symptomatic, and since you are trying for pregnancy, it may be wise for both of you to get treated after getting a culture test done to check which antibiotics will respond.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

What could cause ureaplasma infection?

Concerned about Ureaplasma infection?