Ureaplasma urealyticum is a type of bacteria that lives in the genital and urinary tracts of many people, often without causing any problems. But in some cases, especially when the immune system is weak or after unprotected sex, it can lead to infections.

In men, it might cause pain when peeing or discomfort in the groin. In women, it’s been linked to vaginal irritation, pelvic pain, and even pregnancy complications like premature birth. It spreads mainly through sex and doesn’t respond to common antibiotics like penicillin, so it needs special tests and treatment. If you’re having ongoing urogenital symptoms, it’s worth checking for this sneaky microbe.

Prevalence in Pregnancy: In a Japanese study, Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in over 30% of healthy pregnant women, with higher rates linked to bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth risks (Koshiyama et al., 2015).

Chronic Infection: This bacterium can linger in the body for months without symptoms, potentially leading to complications like infertility, prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain (Waites et al., 2005).

Asymptomatic: Most people with Ureaplasma urealyticum don’t experience symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose without targeted testing (Waites et al., 2005).

Coinfections: It’s often found alongside other infections such as Mycoplasma hominis or Chlamydia trachomatis, which may worsen symptoms or complicate treatment (Koshiyama et al., 2015).

Drug Resistance: Some strains are becoming resistant to commonly used antibiotics, making early diagnosis and tailored treatment more important than ever (Waites et al., 2005).

You can get Ureaplasma urealyticum mainly through sexual contact. It spreads during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex — even if your partner doesn’t have symptoms. This is why it’s considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

It can also be passed from mother to baby during childbirth, which may cause health problems in newborns, especially those born prematurely (Koshiyama et al., 2015). While many people carry the bacteria harmlessly, it can cause infections when your immune system is weakened or when other STIs are present.

People with multiple sexual partners, untreated STIs, or weakened immune systems are at higher risk. Since many carriers have no symptoms, the infection often goes undetected, which makes regular screening important when symptoms like burning urination, discharge, or pelvic pain appear (Waites et al., 2005).

You cannot completely protect yourself against Ureaplasma urealyticum, especially since it’s often carried without symptoms — but you can lower your risk with a few smart precautions:

✔ Use condoms: Using condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex helps reduce the chance of transmission by limiting direct contact with bodily fluids and mucous membranes (Waites et al., 2005).

✔ Get tested regularly: Many people carry Ureaplasma without symptoms. If you experience burning, discharge, pelvic pain, or are planning a pregnancy, speak to your healthcare provider about testing.

✔ Limit your number of sexual partners: Reducing your number of partners or staying in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested can reduce your risk of infection.

✔ Avoid sex when symptomatic: If you or your partner has signs of a urogenital infection, hold off on sexual activity until you’ve both been checked and treated if necessary.

✔ Prenatal screening: If you’re pregnant or planning to conceive, speak to your doctor about screening — Ureaplasma has been linked to pregnancy complications and infections in newborns (Koshiyama et al., 2015).

By being proactive about your sexual health and getting tested when needed, you can catch infections like Ureaplasma urealyticum early and prevent complications for yourself and your partner(s).

After exposure to Ureaplasma urealyticum, symptoms — if they appear at all — typically start within 1 to 3 weeks.

This timeframe is known as the incubation period, during which the bacteria may begin to colonise the urogenital tract. However, many people never develop symptoms, which makes the infection easy to miss. For those who do experience symptoms, the most common early signs include:

A burning feeling when urinating

Genital discomfort or itching

Unusual discharge

Pelvic or testicular pain

Because symptoms are often mild or absent, Ureaplasma urealyticum can remain in the body undetected for months, sometimes even longer, increasing the risk of passing it to others or developing complications like pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility if left untreated (Waites et al., 2005).

If Ureaplasma urealyticum is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, even though many people show no symptoms. In men, it may cause persistent urethritis, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), epididymitis (testicular inflammation), and in some cases, reduced sperm quality that could affect fertility.

In women, the infection has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. During pregnancy, Ureaplasma can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and infections in newborns. Because the bacteria often live silently in the body, it can go undetected for months, quietly causing damage or spreading to others during sex or childbirth. That’s why early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential, especially for those with symptoms, trying to conceive, or who are pregnant (Waites et al., 2005; Koshiyama et al., 2015).

Yes, Ureaplasma urealyticum is treatable with specific antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. Since this bacterium doesn’t have a cell wall, it won’t respond to common antibiotics like penicillin, so targeted treatment is necessary. When the right medication is used, the infection usually clears up quickly, and most people recover fully without complications.

However, some strains of Ureaplasma are becoming more resistant to treatment, which means early diagnosis and proper follow-up are important. It’s also essential that sexual partners are tested and treated at the same time to prevent passing the infection back and forth. If symptoms continue after treatment, your doctor may recommend re-testing or a different treatment approach.

Getting treated not only protects your health but also reduces the risk of complications like infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or pregnancy issues.