Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma

Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma and ureaplasma bacteria can live in the urogenital or respiratory tracts of healthy adults and not cause any harm. Bacteria cells live on our skin and in our body unnoticed but they can cause problems when the natural balance between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria is upset. Mycoplasma and ureaplasma infections can be transferred during sexual intercourse but they are not classed as sexually transmitted infections. The bacteria live in the mucosa found in the urogenital tract.

You can contract a mycoplasma or ureaplasma infection through direct contact with infected cells: whether this is genital-to-genital or mouth-to-genital.

Most people do not have any symptoms whatsoever, where symptoms are present, these include a burning sensation when passing urine, urethral irritation, unusual vaginal discharge in women and urethral discharge in men.

These infections can be identified via a urine sample or swab from the vagina or penis.

Treatments - Doxycycline 100mg: ONE to be taken TWICE a day for SEVEN days available here or Azithromycin 500mg: TWO tablets to be taken together as a SINGLE dose (not available via our website - please contact your local GUM clinic or GP)

One method to tackle the spread of this type of infection is to practice safe sex by wearing either a male or female condom.

Maintaining good sexual health can help to reduce the chances of long term damage or repeat infections. If you are sexually active it is best practice to regularly schedule STI screening. Screening is important because numerous STIs are asymptomatic so without being tested you would not know if you are living with the disease, and regular STI testing allows for infections to be picked up quickly so that treatment can be administered in a timely manner.