Ureaplasma often mistaken as a harmless part of your normal microflora, is a very frequent infection and can be found in 40–80% of sexually active women. While commonly present in the vagina, the cervix, the urethra, the endometrium and the seminal fluid, attached to the surface of the spermatozoa and even in the amniotic fluid, and the placenta during pregnancy, it can have far-reaching effects, particularly on your fertility.
Could a Ureaplasma infection be standing in the way of a succesful pregnancy?
Despite its prevalence, Ureaplasma is frequently dismissed due to its asymptomatic nature. Due to its asymptomatic nature, Ureaplasma infection often goes unnoticed until it has significantly progressed and it’s mistaken as a normal part of the body’s normal flora from many healthcare providers. However, this pathogen can significantly impact fertility, creating a hostile environment in the endometrium and leading to complications during pregnancy. It often flies under the radar, with infertility sometimes being the first clue that something is wrong.
Though research is ongoing, Ureaplasma is known to contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Ureaplasma infection triggers a pro-inflammatory response, leading to an overactive immune system, which is a poor indicator for your fertility. Also studies suggest that Ureaplasma infection may contribute to conditions such as spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and postpartum and neonatal infections.
Why Comprehensive Testing & Effective Treatment is Important
One of the biggest hurdles in diagnosing Ureaplasma is that conventional tests, such as cultures or CD138, often fail to detect the infection. Also, relying solely on vaginal microbiome tests may lead to misdiagnosis, as Ureaplasma can inhabit the uterus in high concentrations without being present in the vagina. On the other side, only testing the endometrial microbiome gives an incomplete picture, as we routinely get see significant changes between a woman’s uterus and vagina. To fully understand a woman’s microbiome and identify potential pathogens, it's crucial to test both vaginal and endometrial microbiomes. Pathogens can move back and forth through the cervix, highlighting the importance of comprehensive microbiome testing.
Don’t Forget Your Significant Other!
Treating Ureaplasma isn't just about addressing the infection in one partner—it's a two-way street. Even after treatment, there's a risk of reinfection if your partner isn't tested or treated in parallel. This is especially common with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), where pathogens may remain asymptomatic in one partner but lead to reinfection of the treated individual.
How Fertilysis Can Help
At Fertilysis, we recognize the risks Ureaplasma poses and advocate for a comprehensive approach to testing and treatment.
Ureaplasma infection testing is available through the Fertilysis Female Microbiome panel, which includes both endometrial (via menstrual blood) and vaginal (via swabs) microbiomes testing. The test checks for different kind of bacterial infections, STIs, yeast infections, and normal Lactobacili, as well as an extended virus infection panel detecting CMV, EBV, HSV-1, HSV-2, and HHV-6.
For a holistic approach, male partners can be screened using our Male Microbiome test.
We also offer a Couples Microbiome test, providing a discounted bundle for both partners to ensure a thorough evaluation and reduce the risk of reinfection.
Don’t let Ureaplasma go unnoticed!
At Fertilysis, we take a proactive approach, offering comprehensive testing and treatment to protect both partners on their fertility journey. Whether you’re experiencing unexplained infertility or trying to conceive, identifying and treating infections like Ureaplasma could make all the difference.
