Ureaplasma
is a bacteria that is commonly found in people's urinary or genital tract. It
is parasitic, which means it needs a host, such as a human or animal, to
survive.
Ureaplasma
bacteria are part of the body's bacterial population, and they live in balance,
without causing a problem, in most cases. Sometimes, however, they can increase
in population , causing infection and health problems.
Ureaplasma
belongs to a class of bacteria known as Mycoplasma. The Mycoplasma species are
the smallest known organisms of their type that can make a copy of themselves
to reproduce.
Ureaplasma
does not have a cell wall, which makes it unique among bacteria. The lack of a
cell wall makes it resistant to some common antibiotics, including penicillin .
However, it can be treated with others.
Most
people have Ureaplasma in their bodies and never know it. But, Ureaplasma has
been linked to diseases and conditions that affect the male and female
reproductive systems. It can also infect newborns if the mother passes the
bacteria to the infant during pregnancy.
In this
article, we examine how Ureaplasma is spread, the symptoms it can cause, and
what treatment options are available.
Transmission
Ureaplasma
can cause fertility problems for men and women.
Ureaplasma
can be passed during sexual contact. One study found that vaginal infections
with Ureaplasma were higher among women who had multiple sexual partners.
These
bacteria may also be passed to a fetus or newborn if the mother has Ureaplasma
infection during pregnancy.
Ureaplasma
may also be found in women who have never been sexually active, according to
another study .
As such,
the cause of Ureaplasma presence may not be known in some cases.
Symptoms
Ureaplasma
does not cause symptoms if it is living in balance with other bacteria. A
healthy immune system can usually keep the bacteria in check, preventing them
from causing infection.
If the
Ureaplasma population increases, certain health problems may develop and cause
symptoms.
The
following symptoms are possible signs of Ureaplasma infection and should be
checked by a doctor.
People
should note that Ureaplasma may not be the only cause of these issues.
Trouble
getting pregnant
Ureaplasma
bacteria have been found in both men and women with infertility problems.
Infertility is defined as trying to conceive for 12 months without success.
The
bacteria may affect the number of sperm and their ability to move in men. In
women, it may cause an infection that makes pregnancy more difficult to
achieve.
A study
found that a particular Ureaplasma known as Ureaplasma urealyticum is seen more
often in women with unexplained infertility. As a result, the authors suggest
that women with unexplained infertility should be tested for the bacteria.
A
genital tract infection may cause up to 15 percent of all cases of male
infertility, but not all of these are due to Ureaplasma. Many of them are a
result of sexually transmitted infections , such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
A review
of research found that U. urealyticum was associated with a higher risk of
infertility in men. Another type, Ureaplasma parvum , was not linked to male
infertility.
Pain,
discharge, and itching of the genital area
Ureaplasma
infection may cause some conditions that lead to pain and discomfort in the
genital area. They include:
Urethritis: An inflammation of the urethra
or tube that carries urine out of the body. Urethritis can cause pain or
burning while urinating, itching around the urethra, and an unusual or
foul-smelling discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection in the vagina. BV
can cause foul-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge, itching in and around the
vagina, and burning during urination.
Pelvic
or abdominal pain
Ureaplasma
has been linked to several different health problems that can cause pain in the
pelvic, abdominal, or groin area. These include:
Prostatitis: An inflammation of the prostate
gland. Prostatitis may cause pain during urination, cloudy or bloody urine,
difficulty urinating, pain in the genital area, and an urgent need to urinate.
Endometritis: An inflammation of the lining
of the womb. This can cause pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or
discharge, and fever . Endometritis can be caused by different bacteria, but
Ureaplasma infection has been linked to the condition in the past.
Kidney stones: Ureaplasma may play a role in
the formation of kidney stones in some people. Kidney stones can cause severe
pain in the pelvic area, lower back, abdomen, fever, problems urinating, and
cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine.
Source: Medical
Newsonline
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