What to Know About
Mycoplasma & Ureaplasma

Mycoplasma (also referred to as M. Hominis and M. Gen) and Ureaplasma are two of the most common genital infections out there, yet not many people have ever heard of them! In people with vaginas, their symptoms can often mimic Bacterial Vaginosis, with similar pain, discharge, and odor—as a result, it’s common to think you’re dealing with recurrent BV, when in reality you may be dealing with some different germs altogether! Keep reading to learn more about these microbes and how to find out if they may be causing your uncomfortable symptoms.

What are Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma?

When most people refer to “Ureaplasma,” they are referring to an imbalance of bacteria that is causing uncomfortable genital symptoms. Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria commonly found in the urinary or genital tract that belongs to the Mycoplasma family. There are four main types of bacteria that can lead to symptoms: Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis. These bacteria do not usually cause symptoms when they are living in balance with your microbiome, but if they begin to multiply, they may cause pain, inflammation, discharge, painful urination, and trouble with fertility (if left untreated). People of all genders can be affected by these bacteria, and can transmit these infections sexually. If you are symptomatic and have an “out of range” reading, it’s a good idea for your sexual partners to be tested as well!

What is the difference between Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma?

Both Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma are a type of bacteria called mollicutes. They are some of the smallest known organisms that can reproduce! Mollicutes are commonly found in the genital tract and typically don’t cause symptoms—in fact, ureaplasma can be isolated in 40% to 80% of sexually active women who do not experience any symptoms. Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma can cause similar symptoms, so the only way to know for sure if you are dealing with symptoms from one of these organisms is to get tested! Daye’s At-Home Vaginal Microbiome Screen can provide you with a comprehensive picture of your vaginal health, including if you’re dealing with Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, BV, or Yeast!

Ureaplasma or Mycoplasma Symptoms

Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma can often look similar. People of all genders can experience symptoms, like:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Painful urination
• Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
• Vaginal discharge, odor, and/or itching
• Trouble getting pregnant
  
  

If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you may have noticed that they look a lot like BV (Bacterial Vaginosis). BV is another common vaginal infection whose symptoms include:

• Strong fishy smell
• Burning sensation during urination
• Itching around vagina
• Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge
• Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina

If you’ve been dealing with BV symptoms that don’t resolve after antibiotic treatment, you may want to test for Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma! While treatment for BV uses antibiotics, it is a different antibiotic regimen than the treatment for Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma. Knowing exactly what bacteria you’re targeting is key to feeling better fast.

Is Ureaplasma/ Mycoplasma an STI?

Much like Bacterial Vaginosis, Ureaplasma/ Mycoplasma can be passed via sexual contact, but they can also develop in the absence of sexual contact so, technically, they are not STIs. However, many people find that sexual activity can trigger symptoms, and it can be passed back and forth between partners so it is best for all partners to be treated before re-engaging in sexual activity.

Is Ureaplasma dangerous if you’re pregnant?

Ureaplasma can be passed from mother to child if the mother has an infection during pregnancy, and there is evidence that ureaplasma may contribute to preterm delivery. If you’re pregnant and develop a Ureaplasma infection, you’ll want to consult with your OBGYN about your best course of treatment.

Does Ureaplasma cause infertility?

Maybe! One study found that Ureaplasma urealyticum is seen more often in women with unexplained infertility. There’s also some evidence to suggest the same bacteria can play a role in infertility in men due to inflammation of the genital tract and lower sperm quality. It’s not clear if Ureaplasma or M. Hominis alone can cause infertility, but it seems it may be a contributing factor.

Additionally, there is some evidence that M. Hominis is related to early miscarriages and midtrimester abortions, especially in the presence of abnormal vaginal flora. If you’re pregnant and develop an M. Hominis infection, you’ll want to consult with your OBGYN about your best course of treatment.

Are Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma common?

Yes! While you may not have heard of them before, by adulthood 80% of healthy patients assigned female at birth have asymptomatic Ureaplasma and 50% will have M. Hominis while sexually active patients assigned male at birth are frequently asymptomatically colonized with M. Hominis.

At-home screening for Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma is easy with Daye’s At-Home Vaginal Microbiome Screen! Gain insight into your vaginal health and resolve recurrent symptoms once and for all (plus, delivery is free right to your door).