Ureaplasma: Everything You Should Know About This Bacteria

What Is Ureaplasma?

Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria from the Mycoplasmataceae family and it’s a bit of an oddball. Unlike most bacteria, it doesn’t have a cell wall, which makes it naturally resistant to common antibiotics.

It’s usually found in the urogenital tract of both men and women, and in most cases, it just lives there quietly without causing any trouble. But sometimes, if the conditions are right, it can start multiplying and lead to infections, especially if it ends up where it doesn’t belong, like in the uterus or kidneys. That’s when it goes from harmless to potentially problematic.

Types of Ureaplasma

There are two main types of Ureaplasma that you might hear about, and while they’re similar, they’re not exactly the same when it comes to how they behave in the body.

This is the one most commonly picked up in routine tests. It often lives in the body without causing any symptoms or issues. Many people carry it and don’t even know it’s there.

That said, in some cases, especially when other health factors are involved, it might play a role in things like infertility or pregnancy-related complications.

This type has a bit more of a troublemaker reputation. It’s more often linked to actual infections, especially in the urinary or reproductive systems.

It can cause things like urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), prostatitis, and some complications during pregnancy. It also tends to show up alongside other bacteria, like Mycoplasma genitalium, which can make symptoms worse or harder to treat.

Ureaplasma Parvum vs. Ureaplasma Urealyticum

Causes and Risk Factors of Ureaplasma

How You Get Ureaplasma

Ureaplasma can be passed from one person to another in a few different ways. Here’s how it usually spreads:

• Through sexual contact: This is the most common route. Ureaplasma can be passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, even if no symptoms are present.
• From mother to baby during birth: If a pregnant person has Ureaplasma, there's a chance the bacteria can be passed to the baby during delivery. In some cases, this can lead to health issues for the newborn, like infections in the lungs or brain.

Who Is at Risk?

Anyone can carry Ureaplasma, but certain groups are more likely to develop symptoms or complications. You may be at higher risk if you:

• Have multiple sexual partners
• Have a weakened immune system
• Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Have a history of urinary or reproductive tract infections
• Are undergoing fertility treatments
• Use intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Is Ureaplasma a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STD)?

This is one of the most common questions people have after a Ureaplasma diagnosis, and it’s completely understandable! The answer is a little tricky, but here’s the breakdown:

It is sexually transmitted but not officially an STI.

Ureaplasma can definitely be passed through sexual contact. That’s why many doctors treat it as a sexually transmitted organism.

However, it’s not officially classified as an STD or STI by most health organizations. That’s mainly because it’s also found in people who’ve never had sex, and it doesn’t always cause symptoms or harm.

Can you get it without sexual contact?

Some people are exposed to Ureaplasma in non-sexual ways, especially during childbirth. It may also be transmitted through shared surfaces or objects, though that’s far less common.

In many cases, it’s just part of the natural bacteria that lives in the body and doesn’t cause any harm.

Symptoms of Ureaplasma Infection

Ureaplasma doesn’t always make a big entrance. In fact, a lot of people who have it don’t even know it’s there. But when it does cause symptoms, they can vary depending on the person and their body.

Symptoms In Men

When Ureaplasma causes issues in men, the symptoms usually show up in the urinary or reproductive systems. Common signs include:

• Burning or discomfort when urinating
• Discharge from the urethra
• Pain or swelling in the testicles
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
• Discomfort during or after ejaculation

These symptoms can sometimes mimic other infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which is why testing matters.

Symptoms In Women

In women, symptoms can be a bit more subtle but they still affect the urinary and reproductive systems. You might notice:

• Vaginal irritation or unusual discharge
• Burning or pain when peeing
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Symptoms In Babies (If Passed During Birth)

If a baby is exposed to Ureaplasma during delivery, it can cause complications, especially for premature infants or those with weaker immune systems. Potential issues include:

• Lung infections (like pneumonia)
• Brain infections (meningitis)
• General signs of infection, such as trouble breathing or feeding

This is why testing and treatment during pregnancy are sometimes recommended.

Can You Have It Without Symptoms?

Absolutely. Many people who carry Ureaplasma feel totally fine and never know it’s there.

These are called asymptomatic carriers, and it’s more common than you might think. In these cases, Ureaplasma is just quietly living in the body without causing any harm. However, it can still be passed to others or potentially flare up later due to stress, illness, or other changes in the body.

How Long Can You Have Ureaplasma Without Knowing It?

Many people carry it for months or even years, without a single symptom. It often lives quietly in the body, especially in the urogenital tract, without causing any issues. In fact, you might never even know it’s there unless you’re tested for something else.

What Can “Wake It Up”?

While Ureaplasma is usually harmless, certain changes in your body can give it the opportunity to multiply and become a problem. These can include:

• A weakened immune system (from stress, illness, or medications)
• Hormonal shifts, such as during pregnancy
• Having another infection at the same time
• Invasive procedures (like IUD insertion or fertility treatments)
• Frequent or rough sexual activity that irritates the area

These situations can create an opening for the bacteria to become active and start causing symptoms.

How Is Ureaplasma Diagnosed?

A PCR test is the gold standard for detecting Ureaplasma, as it looks for the bacteria’s genetic material and is much more accurate than standard urine cultures.

The most reliable way to detect Ureaplasma is through a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. This test looks for the bacteria’s DNA in your body, making it much more accurate than standard tests 

Samples can be taken from:

• Urine (first-voided sample)
• Cervical or vaginal swabs (for women)
• Urethral swabs (for men)
• Occasionally, other body fluids if an infection is suspected elsewhere

When Is Testing Recommended?

Doctors don’t typically include Ureaplasma in routine STI screenings unless there’s a specific reason to look for it. Testing may be recommended if:

• You’re having ongoing urinary or genital symptoms that aren’t explained by other infections
• You or your partner are dealing with infertility
• You're pregnant, especially if there’s a history of miscarriage or early labor
• Your doctor is doing a broad PCR panel for reproductive or urogenital health

Why Regular Urine Cultures Don’t Work

Ureaplasma won’t show up on standard urine cultures. That’s because it doesn’t have a cell wall, which is what most culture tests are designed to detect and grow in the lab.

So if you’re having symptoms but all your “regular” tests come back normal, a PCR test might be the next logical step.

How Do You Treat Ureaplasma?

Ureaplasma is usually easy to treat, if treatment is even needed. Many people who have it don’t require any medication at all, especially if they don’t have symptoms. But if it’s causing problems like pain, discharge, fertility issues, or pregnancy risks, treatment is often recommended.

What to Expect During Treatment

Treatment is usually straightforward:

• You take antibiotics as prescribed, typically for about a week.
• Symptoms (if you had any) often start improving within a few days.
• It’s a good idea to avoid sex until treatment is finished to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Also, if you're in a relationship, your partner may be advised to get tested or treated too, even if they feel fine.

When a Second Round May Be Needed

Sometimes, Ureaplasma can be stubborn. A second round of antibiotics may be needed if:

• Your symptoms don’t go away
• The bacteria is resistant to the first medication
• You and your partner keep passing it back and forth

In these cases, your doctor might try a different antibiotic or a longer course.

Re-testing and Follow-Up

• If you're feeling better after treatment and not trying to conceive, you may not need a follow-up test.
• But if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or symptoms come back, your doctor might suggest re-testing to make sure it’s really gone.
• Partners should be tested or treated as needed to help prevent reinfection.

Complications of Ureaplasma If Left Untreated

Leaving Ureaplasma untreated when it’s actually causing symptoms or affecting sensitive areas of the body can lead to some bigger health concerns.

Fertility Issues

In both men and women, Ureaplasma has been linked to fertility problems:

• In men, it may reduce sperm quality or motility, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
• In women, it might contribute to inflammation in the reproductive tract, which can interfere with conception or implantation.

While it's not always the root cause of infertility, it’s often something doctors check for when no other obvious issues are found.

Pregnancy Risks

If Ureaplasma is active during pregnancy, it may increase the risk of:

• Preterm labor or premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Miscarriage (especially in early stages)
• Infections in the amniotic fluid or placenta

That’s why some OB-GYNs test for Ureaplasma, especially if there’s a history of complications in previous pregnancies.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

In women, untreated Ureaplasma can sometimes lead to PID, a serious infection of the reproductive organs. This can cause:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Scarring in the fallopian tubes
• Long-term fertility problems
• Ectopic pregnancies (where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus)

Not everyone with Ureaplasma develops PID, but the risk increases when the infection lingers and isn't treated.

Other Health Problems

Although rare, Ureaplasma can occasionally cause infections in other parts of the body, particularly if someone has a weakened immune system. These may include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Prostatitis in men (inflammation of the prostate gland)
• Joint inflammation (reactive arthritis)
• In newborns: serious infections like pneumonia or meningitis

These outcomes aren’t the norm, but they can happen when the body isn’t able to keep the bacteria in check.