You can have Ureaplasma bacteria living in and on your body without any issues. In rare cases, an overgrowth of this bacterium may lead to symptoms, like genital itching. Healthcare providers don’t routinely test for it, as it isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
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Ureaplasma is a common species of bacteria that mainly lives in your urinary tract and genitals. Many people have it and never develop issues. The main types are Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
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Some — not all — studies link an overgrowth (infection) of this bacterium to urethritis, which is inflammation in your pee tube. This condition causes symptoms like itchiness and pain or burning while you pee. People with weakened immune systems may be more likely to have a Ureaplasma infection.
But most experts aren’t completely convinced that Ureaplasma is the cause of infection or symptoms in most people. It could be what’s known as a colonizer or bystander.
In microbiology, a colonizer is an organism that multiplies without causing symptoms, immune responses or disease. A bystander is an organism or cell in your body that’s affected by a treatment by accident.
Researchers still have a lot to learn about this bacterium. If you have questions, your healthcare provider can give you the latest information and guidance.
Ureaplasma isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This is because many people have it and never develop an infection. It can pass from one person to another through sexual contact. But so can many other harmless bacteria.
Some people confuse Ureaplasma for Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen). Mgen is an STI. Many people with Mgen don’t have symptoms. But an Mgen infection can lead to complications, like urethritis and cervicitis (inflammation of your cervix).
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A specific type of PCR test can detect Ureaplasma bacteria. But healthcare providers don’t routinely screen for Ureaplasma infections.
Providers will only consider testing for it if you have STI-like symptoms and tests have ruled out other common causes of them, including:
Even if a PCR test detects Ureaplasma bacteria, it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the underlying cause of your symptoms.
If you have a large amount of Ureaplasma bacteria along with symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend antibiotics. Two examples include doxycycline and azithromycin.
You don’t need treatment if you don’t have symptoms.
See your healthcare provider if you ever have symptoms like genital itching, abnormal discharge or pain when you pee. It’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment, even if it’s very unlikely that Ureaplasma is the cause.
Ureaplasma is one of the many bacteria that can live in your body without harming you. It’s not something you need to worry about. Researchers have learned more about it in recent years thanks to advances in scientific technology. But they’ve only uncovered the tip of the iceberg for this bacterium.
You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels off, talk to your healthcare provider. It can be awkward to discuss symptoms that happen “down there.” But your provider is there to help you, not judge you.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
If you have a condition that’s affecting your urinary system, you want expert advice. At Cleveland Clinic, we’ll work to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
