The STI Files: Ureaplasma Urealyticum

What is it exactly? Ureaplasma urealyticum — also known as Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), non-specific urethritis (NSU), or genital mycoplasma — is a small bacterium occurring in the urinary or genital tract. It is often spread through genital contact.

About how many people have it? In sexually active⁠ (sexually active: Someone who has had or is currently having some kind of genital sex with a partner or partners.) asymptomatic folks with a vagina⁠ (vagina: The internal passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.) , 40-80% have a ureaplasma species. This rate is lower for those with penises.

How is it spread? Ureaplasma urealyticum is transmitted by sexual⁠ (sexual: About or relating in some way to sex or sexuality.) contact, such as genital-to-genital or oral-to-genital sex⁠ (sex: Different things people choose to do to actively express or enact sexuality and sexual feelings; often this involves genitals, but not always. ) . It can also be passed during birth or in utero from birthing parent to offspring.

What are its symptoms? While often asymptomatic, Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause pelvic pain, irregular discharge⁠ (discharge: In the context of sex and sexual health, any number of fluids which come from the genitals. Plenty of genital discharge is healthy, while some discharges can be symptoms of illness.) and urethritis, which is inflammation of urethra⁠ (urethra: The urinary tract, where people pee from. On a penis, the opening to the urethra is at the head of the penis; on a vulva, the opening is above the vaginal opening and below the external clitoris.) , the tube that carries urine out⁠ (out: Short for ‘out of the closet’. When someone’s LGBTQ+ identity is known to other people.) from the body.

How is it diagnosed?  Ureaplasma species can be detected via a PCR test or culture. A sample can be swabbed from the vaginal walls or collected from urine.

Is it treatable? Ureaplasma urealyticum is perfectly treatable. However, its absence of a cell well can make it resistant to front-line antibiotics. Healthcare providers prescribe other antibiotics when diagnosed.

Is it curable? Ureaplasma urealyticum is curable by taking a full round of antibiotics. As always with antibiotics, it is vital you take them until you’re done — if you stop taking them before you’re finished with the full course, your infection⁠ (infection: When harmful microbes, or germs, or harmful levels of microbes/germs, enter the body and multiply, causing illness. The common cold, flu viruses, sexually transmitted infections, chickenpox, impetigo, rabies and diphtheria are some kinds of infections.) may not be treated.

Can it affect fertility⁠ (fertility: The ability to become pregnant or other things having to do with becoming pregnant (eg, “the fertility clinic”).) ? It’s hard to say. Studies are still being done to confirm whether there is a link between infertility and Ureaplasma species.

Can it cause death? No.

How can we protect against it? As with any other sexually transmitted infection, abstinence⁠ (abstinence: The choice not to have sex.) is the only way to steer one hundred percent clear of transmission. However, if you choose to engage in partnered sex, then it is best practice to use barrier methods, like condoms and dental dams, every time. When the choice to engage in partnered sex is taken from you, like in cases of sexual violence or abuse⁠ (abuse: Purposeful harm or mistreatment of another person, which can be verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. An ongoing pattern or cycle of such mistreatment or harm can characterize an abusive relationship.) , you are also at risk of transmission. You deserve access to testing and treatment as well.