Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium of the mycoplasma family. Present in excess in the genital tract, it causes an imbalance of the vaginal flora and a risk of infection in men and women. What are the symptoms ? What treatments to treat it?
Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is the name of a bacteria present in the vaginal flora. When its rate is higher than normal, a imbalance of the vaginal flora appears. A local sample will confirm the diagnosis. What are the causes of Ureaplasma urealyticum? What are symptoms ? Treatments ? We take stock.
Definition: what is Ureaplasma urealyticum?
Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is a bacterium of the family mycoplasmas which sits in the vagina in a normal way. “It is not the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in a vagina that is dangerous but its quantity. When the rate is high, it means, not an infection, but a imbalance of the vaginal flora. In this case, the flora must be rebalanced with probiotics, for example. Very rarely, when the bacteria is very abundant in the woman, the man can develop a urethritis“, explains Doctor Jean-Marc Bohbot, andrologist and specialist in uro-genital infections. Like all bacteria that develop when there is an imbalance in the vaginal flora, they can be associated with fallopian tube infections (salpingitis) or be a factor of prematurity in pregnant women.
Ureaplasma urealyticum is transmitted by sexual intercourse when the woman has an imbalance of the vaginal flora. “But this transmission is rare, unlike other bacteria such as gonococcus or Chlamydia trachomatis” nuance Doctor Bohbot.
What is the normal level of Ureaplasma urealyticum?
It is considered that a level greater than 10,000 ucc/ml is abnormal. “It is not an infection per se but a marker of an imbalance in the vaginal flora” emphasizes the specialist.
The manifestations of Ureaplasma urealyticum are almost non-existent in most cases, whether the bacterium affects men or women. However, when symptoms do appear, they may result in inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) in men. In women, the presence of a large quantity of UU is a sign of flora imbalance which is sometimes accompanied by abnormal and smelly discharge.
What causes Ureaplasma urealyticum?
“Anything that unbalances the vaginal flora: antibiotics, vaginal toilet, tobacco or hormonal changes, promotes the appearance of Ureaplasma urealyticum”says Doctor Bohbot.
It is important to rebalance the vaginal flora with probiotics
The diagnosis is confirmed after localized samples. In women, the vaginal sample can detect the bacteria as well as any imbalance in the flora. In humans, it is a urine or semen test. “These examinations also make it possible to determine the possible presence of other germs, such as Trichomonas, Chlamydiae or Candida”notes the specialist.
In the woman, antibiotics are sometimes helpful but it is important to rebalance the vaginal flora by probiotics For example. In men, in case of symptoms of urethritis, a short antibiotic treatment is indicated. On the other hand, if the man feels nothing, there is no treatment to consider.
Thanks to Doctor Jean-Marc Bohbot, andrologist and specialist in uro-genital infections.