What is Ureaplasma?
WHAT IS UREAPLASMA UREALYTICUM/PARVUM?
Ureaplasma is a bacterium that can be transmitted through sexual contact but is not considered a classic sexually transmitted infection (STI) due to its low pathogenicity. There are two types: Parvum and Urealyticum.
It is estimated that a significant portion of the sexually active population is infected with Ureaplasma, but this does not cause any problems. Based on our laboratory data, we question claims that more than 60% of the population carries this infection.
UREAPLASMA SYMPTOMS
Most people have no symptoms, and for those who are asymptomatic, there is no evidence of long-term health consequences related to Ureaplasma. When symptoms are present, they include:
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Urethral irritation
- Abnormal vaginal discharge in women
- Urethral discharge in men
Sometimes, we encounter female patients experiencing chronic cystitis/urinary tract infections that do not show any bacterial organisms in culture. When we test their urine for Ureaplasma using PCR, we detect the presence of this bacterium. Therefore, we believe Ureaplasma may play a role in such cases.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT UREAPLASMA?
The recommendation is that Ureaplasma is not a cause for concern and does not require treatment. This aligns with the latest guidelines from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).
There is still no definitive evidence that Ureaplasma leads to long-term health issues.
CAN I GET TESTED FOR UREAPLASMA?
It is possible to test for Ureaplasma using a urine sample or vaginal swab. The sample undergoes a PCR test that detects the DNA of the bacteria. As long as the bacteria are present in the urine sample or swab (which will be the case if you are infected and collect the sample correctly), the test will yield a positive result.
Processing Ureaplasma test results usually takes 36–48 hours. Please note that the genetic laboratory handling this panel typically does not operate on Saturdays and Sundays. Any sample collected over the weekend will be processed on the next business day.
If you have symptoms, we recommend a broader screening, such as the Complete STI Screening, which tests for 11 infections that can cause similar symptoms to Ureaplasma.
HOW IS UREAPLASMA TREATED?
The latest guidelines suggest that Ureaplasma does not require treatment. If a patient is symptomatic, treatment is recommended only when no other microorganisms are detected. Please consult your doctor.