Ureaplasmosis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Ureaplasmosis is a fairly common infectious disease that affects various organs of the genitourinary system. Unfortunately, the disease often proceeds secretly or disguises itself as other inflammatory pathologies - often there is an incorrect diagnosis and, accordingly, inadequate treatment. That is why it is worth learning more about the main symptoms of ureaplasmosis.

Of course, many people are looking for more information. What are the properties of the pathogen? How is the infection transmitted? What disorders is accompanied by ureaplasmosis in men? Symptoms and treatment, causes and possible complications are important information that is worth exploring.

Brief description of the pathogen

Before considering the symptoms and treatment of ureaplasmosis in women and men, it is worth examining the main causes. The ailment develops against the background of penetration into the tissues of the genitourinary system of the ureaplasma. By the way, for the first time these bacteria were discovered not so long ago - M. Shepard isolated microorganisms in 1954. And in 1986, a committee of experts of the World Health Organization added the bacterium to the list of pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases.

If we consider the properties and structure of ureaplasmas, then we can say that these microorganisms occupy a kind of intermediate position between viruses and unicellular microorganisms. They have a three-layer cytoplasmic membrane, but there is no full-fledged cell wall. Inside the cell there is a prokaryotic nucleotide and ribosomes.

Transmission routes

In most cases, the infection enters the human body during intercourse. Ureaplasma quickly penetrates the urethra and spreads through the mucous membranes of the urinary tract. By the way, you can get infected through oral sex.

Transmission of infection from mother to fetus is possible. The causative agent can penetrate the body of the child both in the process of fetal development, and directly when it passes through the birth canal of a woman.

It is believed that bacteria can also spread through the household, for example, when sharing daily household items, visiting the pool, saunas, and public toilets. But this assumption is false - doctors deny the likelihood of such an infection.

However, for the development of the inflammatory process, the ingestion of pathogenic bacteria into the body is not enough. Symptoms of ureaplasmosis, as a rule, appear against the background of a decrease in immune activity. That is why hormonal disruptions, stress, the presence of foci of chronic inflammation in the body, physical and nervous fatigue are referred to risk factors. The development of ureaplasmosis is also facilitated by stagnant processes in the pelvic area.

What are the symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men

It is worth saying right away that the signs of this disease directly depend on where the inflammatory process is localized and how much it has spread. The first symptoms of ureaplasmosis are pulling or aching pains in the groin or lower abdomen. Mucous, fluid discharge from the urethra also appears (in most cases they are not too plentiful).

In most cases, the infection affects the mucous membranes of the urethra, resulting in urethritis. In this case, you can observe a slight swelling. Patients complain of a burning sensation and discomfort during urination. As the disease develops, the patient's well-being worsens - emptying the bladder, as well as sexual intercourse, is accompanied by pains and severe pain.

These are not all the symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men (we can not provide a photo on this topic for aesthetic reasons). Infection sometimes leads to the development of inflammation of the epididymis. In this case, swelling of the scrotum is observed. At the same time, patients complain of severity and tenderness in the testicles. Unpleasant sensations intensify with palpation, as well as during physical activity and sexual intercourse. Sometimes the inflammatory process extends to the tissue of the testicles, which leads to the development of orchitis.

Of course, these are not the only symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men. Sometimes an infectious disease leads to the development of prostatitis. In this case, there is a violation of urination (increased urge, urinary retention). Signs include pulling pains in the perineum, which intensify during walking, sitting, palpating. There is a decrease in libido, there are various problems with an erection. Sexual intercourse itself can also be accompanied by pain.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women

In the fair sex, the infection can also affect different parts of the genitourinary tract. That is why the symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women (photos of ladies who have encountered this problem, are presented in the article) can also be different:

• First, mucous, abundant vaginal discharge appears (in most cases they are transparent, there is no unpleasant odor).
• Pathogens most often spread urethral tissue, leading to inflammation. Women complain of extremely unpleasant sensations during urination. The external opening of the urethra often swells.
• Sexual intercourse also often causes pain. Often, after sexual contact, patients have spotting from the vagina.
• Pathogenic microorganisms often spread to the tissues of the vagina and cervix, which leads to the development of vaginosis, cervicitis and other diseases. Similar violations are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. Unpleasant sensations are pulling in nature, often spread to the hips and lower back.

Signs of general intoxication also sometimes appear. The inflammatory process may be accompanied by fever, weakness, muscle pain, chills, increased sweating, nausea, and decreased appetite.

Sometimes the vital activity of pathogenic organisms leads to inflammation of the walls of the bladder, the formation of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract. Such pathologies are accompanied by cutting pains in the lower abdomen, which intensify during urination. Sometimes in the urine, impurities of mucus or blood appear.

Now you know about the symptoms and causes of ureaplasmosis in men and women, so it is worth considering the main diagnostic methods and effective therapeutic agents.

What complications can an infection cause?

Recently, cases of development of complications against the background of a similar infection have become more frequent. Such a disappointing trend is due to the fact that the symptoms of ureaplasmosis are often not too pronounced, and sometimes the ailment is completely hidden.

• If the infection spreads to the testicular tissue, then this sometimes leads to the development of male infertility. In addition, often against the background of the disease, damage to the prostate gland occurs, as a result of which the secretory activity of the organ is disrupted. This negatively affects the qualitative composition of sperm and sperm motility.
• We have already examined the symptoms and causes of ureaplasmosis in men. The ailment is often accompanied by the appearance of severe pain during an erection and sexual intercourse. The disease can lead to the development of persistent impotence, which is difficult to treat.
• Ureaplasmosis in women (the symptoms and causes of the development of the disease, we have already discussed above) is sometimes accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes of the uterus. Therefore, one of the consequences of the disease is infertility, because a fertilized egg simply cannot attach to a pathologically altered endometrium.
• The presence of a chronic infectious disease increases the risk of premature birth and spontaneous abortion. Prematurity and low birth weight increase the risk of various postpartum complications.
• An ailment can lead to the development of rheumatic diseases. The fact is that a chronic inflammatory process can trigger an autoimmune reaction.
• Occasionally, diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia develop against the background of the vital activity of the infection.

As you can see, such a disease is extremely dangerous. The symptoms of ureaplasmosis in no case can be ignored, as well as refuse the treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Diagnostic procedures

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women and men can be different. And in this case, the correct diagnosis is extremely important, because this infection can disguise itself as various diseases of the genitourinary tract.

• First, a general inspection is required. If you are going to visit a doctor, then you need to prepare for the visit. Two days before admission, it is recommended to refrain from sexual intercourse, stop using vaginal suppositories, gels, and vaginal tampons. Douching is not recommended.
• In addition to the gynecological (urological) examination, the results of some analyzes are also required. As a rule, a smear from the urethra or vagina is performed. The collected materials are used for bacteriological culture. Such a procedure allows you to grow the culture of the pathogen, determine its appearance and check for sensitivity to a particular drug. Unfortunately, ureaplasma cannot be detected in this way, since these bacteria are simply not visible under the microscope. However, the procedure is important because it allows you to determine the presence of other pathogenic microorganisms.
• Today, PCR diagnostics are considered the most reliable. This analysis allows you to isolate and identify the genetic material of the pathogen.
• Of course, a laboratory study of urine, a general and biochemical blood test are performed. This makes it possible to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process.
• Sometimes additional serological tests are performed. Such analyzes allow you to check the patient's blood for the presence of antibodies to the pathogen. However, the study is not informative, since a person does not develop a stable immunity to ureaplasma.
• Sometimes, additional analyzes of the secretion of the prostate gland in men are performed.
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is also shown. The procedure allows you to examine the organs of the genitourinary system, to note the presence of changes in their size and structure.

Based on the results of all tests, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis. In addition, it is very important to identify the degree of damage to various organs, the presence of complications.

How is the disease treated?

Symptoms and treatment of ureaplasmosis are related, because the means used by the doctor directly depend on the presence of certain violations.

First of all, patients are usually prescribed antibacterial drugs. Of course, not all antibiotics provide the desired effect. Ureaplasmas are sensitive to such drugs as Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Levofloxacin. The dosage of drugs is determined individually, as well as the dosage regimen.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and discomfort, bring down the temperature, in a word, significantly alleviate the patient’s condition.

Such therapy helps eliminate symptoms. Treatment of ureaplasmosis in women and men, however, includes some medical recommendations:

• both partners undergo therapy at the same time, since otherwise there is a high probability of reinfection of the body;
• sex should be stopped during treatment and recovery (even if you use condoms) - this will help to avoid infection and speed up the healing process of the body;
• if we are talking about a pregnant woman, then treatment usually begins after 22 weeks (if there is no risk of miscarriage and the development of complications), since antibiotics are potentially dangerous for a growing child.

After the end of therapy (it usually lasts about two weeks), patients re-take tests - so the doctor has the opportunity to check whether the treatment really provided the desired effect.

Recovery period

You already know why ureaplasmosis develops. Symptoms and treatment, diagnosis and possible complications are important information. But it is worthwhile to understand that long-term antibacterial therapy and the inflammatory process adversely affect the body. That is why during the recovery period you need to adhere to some medical recommendations.

Mandatory is the use of pro- and prebiotics. Such drugs help to colonize the intestines with beneficial bacteria, restore the qualitative and quantitative composition of microflora, and strengthen the body's defense.

Immunomodulators are often prescribed to patients, which help normalize the functioning of the immune system and increase the body's resistance to certain infections. For the same purpose, men are recommended to take preparations containing a complex of vitamins and minerals. By the way, the immune system can also be stimulated with the help of herbal medicines, for example, Immunala, tincture of St. John's wort or echinacea extract.

It is also worth adjusting the nutrition - spices and spices, spicy, fatty and fried foods should be excluded from the diet. The menu includes foods rich in fiber and vitamins.

Traditional medicine

We have already examined the causes, symptoms and treatment of ureaplasmosis in women and men. Of course, the treatment regimen is a doctor. But you can speed up the healing process at home. Folk healers offer a lot of recipes that help to cope with the inflammatory process, relieve pain, burning and other unpleasant symptoms of ureaplasmosis:

• Herbal harvest is easy to prepare. It is necessary to mix such components as flowers of a pharmacy chamomile, licorice root, alder cones, penny root and leuzea (in equal quantities). All these ingredients, by the way, can be purchased at the pharmacy. A tablespoon of the resulting mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, covered with a lid and insisted in a warm place for ten hours. The resulting volume of medication should be divided into three doses and drunk during the day.
• There is another recipe. To prepare a strengthening collection, you will need grass of a succession and yarrow, root of a leuzea, rosemary and a bloodlet, as well as birch buds and thyme seeds. All ingredients must be crushed and mixed thoroughly. A large spoonful of the herbal mixture is poured with boiling water, insisted for eight hours and filtered. The resulting infusion is divided into two doses - you need to drink during the day. Every day a new portion of the medicine is prepared.
• An anti-inflammatory infusion will also help cope with the disease. To prepare it, you need to take one part of the primrose root, birch leaves, violets, medunica, nettle, as well as the fruits and stems of dill. Add two parts of plantain and meadowsweet to the mixture, and then three parts of dried raspberry leaves, rose hips and grass of a row. The principle of preparation is the same: a tablespoon of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted and divided into three portions. It is advisable to take the medicine before meals.
• Medicinal herbs can be used for external use. For example, you can mix in equal amounts the crushed roots of frankincense, oak bark, as well as grushanka and pine forest. Two large tablespoons of the mixture are poured with a liter of boiling water and kept on low heat for several minutes. After the agent has cooled, it can be filtered. The prepared broth is used for sedentary baths and douching.
• By the way, decoctions of chamomile, string and sage are suitable for douching - these are affordable and cheap herbs that are easy to find. Water for sitting baths is prepared from these plant components - such a procedure is suitable for both women and men.
• For douching and bathing, you can use lemon. 1.5 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice should be mixed with a glass of boiled water. The course of treatment lasts seven days.

It is worthwhile to understand that you can only use such drugs with the permission of a doctor. Self-medication and refusal of full-fledged drug therapy can lead to the transition of acute inflammation into a chronic form, which is much more difficult to cope with.

Prevention: how to protect yourself?

The causes and symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women and men are important information that must be studied. Prevention is no less important, because it is much easier to avoid infection than then to face all the possible consequences of the disease.

Today, discussions are still ongoing on whether patients who are carriers of the infection (they have no symptoms) should take some medications. - , (, ).

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