Features of ureaplasmosis in women, its manifestation and treatment. Clinical picture of ureaplasma infection in women

Ureaplasma is a bacterium that causes inflammatory diseases in the organs of the genitourinary system. Urgent treatment ureaplasmosis is necessary if a person is not only a carrier, but also mucosal damage is detected.

At diagnostic studies chlamydia, mycoplasma and other harmful microorganisms are often found together with ureaplasma.

As a result, it is required complex treatment ureaplasma in women according to the scheme using the most effective drugs: antibiotics, suppositories, etc.

Causes

An increase in the rate of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms is provoked by the onset of the following factors:

rapid decline immunity;
pregnancy period, as well as the passage medical abortion;
infections that develop in the body over a long period of time;
hormonal disorders, which in most cases appear during menstruation.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis

Main features, indicating the presence of:

the discharge acquires a yellowish tint and is characterized by unpleasant smell;
pain, discomfort in the vagina;
sharp painful sensations, spreading over a significant part of the abdomen. They appear if the infection has been present in the body for quite a long time, affecting the appendages and uterus;
when infected with ureaplasma through oral contact, symptoms characteristic of purulent sore throat;
burning, discomfort when urinating.

If ureaplasma is detected, the disease requires treatment. It is necessary to consult a doctor to receive the recommendations necessary to eliminate the likelihood of complications and the spread of infection.

If found chronic manifestations ureaplasma in a woman, it is necessary to prescribe a treatment regimen, which will take quite a long time to complete.

Ureaplasma in women - symptoms of infection, causes and treatment regimen for ureaplasmosis. “Live Healthy!” Program:

Necessary conditions for successful treatment

If you apply in a timely manner medical care the treatment regimen consists of several points:

Medicines for effective therapy

Rules for effective treatment:

How to treat ureaplasma in women, what drugs to use? Let's take a closer look.

Antibiotics for infection

In order to promptly eliminate the symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women, treatment is prescribed and medications from the following groups:

If a person applies for medical assistance in a timely manner, the inflammation has not developed severely, it is enough to use one of the antibiotics listed above according to a regimen approved by a specialist.

If complications are possible, inflammatory reaction worsens, a regimen is selected for the patient in which a complex of drugs from various groups is used.

You can't mix them, so he undergoes several courses of treatment at once.

Auxiliary medications

People with good immunity rarely suffer from ureaplasmosis, this disease in most cases affects patients in whom it is reduced. To get rid of relapses, it is necessary to use comprehensive measures for complete recovery.

You should not only strengthen your immune system, but also ensure that the gastrointestinal tract is exposed to fewer antibiotics.

Candles

Among various medications Special suppositories help in the treatment of ureaplasmosis:

Suppositories can be used in combination with regular antibiotic use, they cannot act as independent medicines to cure ureaplasmosis.

Disease in pregnant women

Women often think about the need for ureaplasma therapy if the bacterium was discovered during pregnancy. Many people decide to start therapeutic measures only after childbirth.

Many doctors advise start treatment of ureaplasma in women during pregnancy immediately after diagnosis, to avoid dangerous consequences:

miscarriage, premature labor activity. Possible with early opening of the cervical canal of the uterus;
damage caused by disruption of organic mechanisms;
the spread of infection in the uterine cavity, which can cause significant harm to the fetus even before birth.

If the disease is detected during pregnancy, treatment must begin not only if obvious signs, but even if expectant mother is a carrier that does not exclude the possibility of transmitting the disease to the child.

This way you can not only reduce the likelihood of congenital infection, but also protect the child from the appearance of pathologies and complications after childbirth.

Diagnostic measures aimed at excluding ureaplasmosis are mandatory during pregnancy, since Science has proven that this disease can increase the likelihood of miscarriage, provoke premature birth.

Many medications that are used in conventional therapy are contraindicated during pregnancy. Other drugs are also prescribed, the treatment regimen involves the use of other means:

Vilprafen should be used not only in the standard state, but also during pregnancy. It should be used with caution, it is advisable to consult a doctor in advance. Usually given medicine applies if the pregnant woman is more than 20 weeks pregnant. In other cases, there is a possibility of damage to the fetus, which is just being formed;
drugs used to increase the amount bifidobacteria and lactobacilli;
Often only suppositories are used that are presented for the treatment of ureaplasmosis in women. They provide exceptional local impact, because of which they cannot cause significant harm to the fetus;
vitamins, mineral complexes , serving to strengthen the body and restore immunity.

To guarantee a cure for ureaplasmosis, it is necessary to regularly use diagnostic tests during special events, with the help of which you can quickly determine whether a person has been completely cured.

During therapy you should take control tests 3 times to eliminate the possibility of re-spread of infection in the body.

- Pain in a woman's lower abdomen

- Extracts from urethra

Ureaplasmosis, or mycoplasmosis, is a disease that is transmitted exclusively through sexual contact. The specific pathogen is a group of bacteria collectively called Mycoplasmataceae.

In this case, it means genital ureaplasmosis.

Currently, the Mycoplasmataceae family is divided into the genus Mycoplasma (about 100 species) and the genus Ureaplasma (3 species). A person can only be a carrier of certain species. The following bacteria have pathogenic properties: M. genitalium, M. fermentans, M. hominis, M. pneumonie, Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Prevention of ureaplasmosis consists of undergoing periodic medical examinations, protected sexual contacts and avoidance of casual sex, promiscuous sexual behavior.

Ureaplasmosis is the second, not entirely correct name for the disease, but more popular, which appeared due to the fact that a number of representatives of this family of bacteria use urea as an energy substrate for their vital activity, breaking it down (urolysis).

The causative agent of ureaplasmosis is a tiny bacterium that occupies an intermediate position between single-celled organisms and viruses. The similarity with viruses is achieved due to the absence of a complete cell membrane (there is only a three-layer cell wall), small size and a small amount of genetic material. It is similar to unicellular organisms by the presence of a nucleus and some cellular organelles.

A feature of ureaplasmas is their ability to penetrate a cell and multiply there. Thanks to this, bacteria are practically unattainable from outside influence. immune system and most modern antibacterial drugs.
On the other hand, many researchers do not classify ureaplasma as an obligatory pathogenic bacteria. Representatives of this species can remain in urinary tract person without causing any symptoms. Experts agree that the ability of ureaplasma to cause disease largely depends on the state of the immune system and the presence concomitant diseases for a specific person.

Ureaplasmosis: routes of transmission and methods of infection

The route of transmission of the disease is predominantly sexual. Ureaplasma in women is found in the vaginal secretion, cervical canal, urethra; in men - in the secretion of the prostate, seminal vesicles, actually in sperm and cells of the urinary tract. Transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse, including non-traditional types of sex.

Ureaplasmosis has other methods of infection: through birth canal at the birth of a child or infection of the fetus during pregnancy through the placenta. In such cases, ureaplasma is found in oral cavity, nasopharynx, conjunctiva of the child.

Ureaplasmosis: symptoms and treatment

If infection has occurred, the first signs of the disease may appear either after 4-5 days or after 30-35. On average, ureaplasmosis has incubation period about 20-24 days. All this time, bacteria actively multiply and are released, the person becomes a carrier of the disease.

The first symptoms are signs of inflammation of the urethral mucosa:

unexpressed painful urination, increasing at the beginning or at the end;
burning, scanty discharge from the urethra are mucous-transparent in color, which in most cases are odorless.

Ureaplasmosis as genitourinary infection begins with a sore throat if infection occurs during oral sex. In 50% of cases, the signs of the disease are erased and remain unnoticed by the person. If no treatment is carried out within a month, the process becomes chronic and the symptoms may go away. In such cases, women may be prompted to undergo examination only by unsuccessful treatment of thrush or nonspecific colpitis, aggravated by ureaplasmosis.

The progression of the disease caused by ureaplasma occurs in conditions when a person’s immunity weakens: after colds, taking antibiotics, hypothermia, stress.

At this time, ureaplasma begins to penetrate the prostate gland (sluggish prostatitis occurs), seminal vesicles and testicles (causes orchitis) in men. The danger is that, in addition to inflammation of the listed organs, ureaplasma can directly damage germ cells and disrupt their maturation processes.

In women, the bacterium penetrates the vaginal wall (with the development of colpitis), the cervix (cervicitis) and into inner shell uterus (endometritis), less often - into the wall Bladder(with the development of acute and chronic cystitis) with subsequent ascending kidney damage (pyelonephritis), often causing severe pain lower abdomen. That is why the most dangerous consequence of the disease is secondary infertility in women and men. Quite often, the inability to get pregnant is the only reason for testing for ureaplasma.

Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is not very difficult. However, the interpretation of the results obtained requires the doctor not only to detect ureaplasma, but also to have a clinical picture and complaints from the patient.
Currently the most precise method detection is the cultural method (application biological material- scrapings, urine, prostate secretions, semen, sputum, synovial fluid for nutrient media). In this case, it is possible not only to accurately determine the fact of infection, but also to determine the number of bacteria in 1 ml of material. The method is expensive and time consuming.

The most common method is PCR diagnostics. Thanks to this method, the presence of bacterial genetic material in the biological materials under study is determined.

It should be noted that if ureaplasma is detected in the analysis, it is too early to sound the alarm. Detection of U.urealyticum can be considered a sign of disease, while the presence of U. Parvum requires determination of their quantity (more than 10 4 per ml) and a thorough medical examination.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis is necessary in 2 cases:

The detected number of pathogens does not correspond to the norm.
Planning pregnancy in the presence of ureaplasma.

During treatment, you should abstain from sexual activity or be sure to use a condom. It is necessary to follow a diet (exclude spicy, salty, fried, spices, alcohol).

Control tests are carried out a week later and the first and second month after treatment (in women before their next period). If all tests are negative, the goal of treatment has been achieved. If the answer is positive in at least one analysis, repeated courses of therapy are necessary.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis

The course of ureaplasmosis is most often asymptomatic or has minor clinical picture, which gets almost no attention. In these cases, the disease manifests itself late, in chronic form, signs of ureaplasmosis periodically appear and fade depending on the body’s defenses. However, with the development of a mixed infection (a combination of chlamydia, gardnerella, gonococcus, etc. with ureaplasma), the symptoms of the disease become pronounced and the course becomes violent.

The first and only sign of the development of ureaplasmosis in men can most often be a burning sensation and pain in the urethra during urination. Sometimes you may be alerted by a sharp inflammation of the urethral sponges, which become bright red - but these signs are not permanent. However, unlike gonococcus damage, the picture of urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) is blurred and not expressed. There may be a slight urination disorder (feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urge to go to the toilet). These symptoms quickly pass, and ureaplasmosis becomes chronic. With further progression of the disease, which can occur within six months, when inflammatory process the prostate, seminal vesicles and testicles are involved, symptoms of prostatitis, orchitis and inflammation of the epididymis come to the fore. In such cases, ureaplasmosis manifests itself in a man as periodically occurring, “flying” pain in the testicles, groin or nagging pain in the lower abdomen, constant need to visit the toilet at night. Problems appear in the sexual sphere: rapid ejaculation, dilution of sperm, etc. may cause men to turn to appropriate specialists. But, with a detailed examination, gross structural manifestations of diseases are not detected, and the problems are attributed to the psyche. If the testicles are damaged, long and unsuccessful attempts to have a child may come to the fore. Ureaplasma has the ability to directly damage germ cells and disrupt sperm motility.

In women, in addition to the development of urethritis, possible development mild inflammation of the vagina with characteristic itching. Discharge from ureaplasmosis is scanty in quantity and does not have a specific odor, is transparent or has the color of whey. Most often, the infection rises higher, affecting the uterus and fallopian tubes, ovaries, causing chronic asymptomatic inflammation with frequent exacerbations, pain at the end and middle of menstruation. Ureaplasma also has a damaging effect on female germ cells, disrupting the processes of their maturation, passage through the fallopian tubes and preventing fertilization.

To summarize, it should be noted that ureaplasmosis does not have any specific symptoms, which can immediately and directly identify the disease. In most cases, the disease is latent, long-term, and asymptomatic.

Read also about “Urogenital ureaplasmosis”.

Complications of ureaplasmosis

Common complications (typical for both men and women) include:

secondary infertility (develops as a result of long-term inflammation and disturbances in the patency of the ducts both in the testicles, epididymis, vas deferens in men, and in fallopian tubes, cervix in women). Obstruction can be diagnosed as a complication after ureaplasmosis that has been adequately treated.
chronic urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
ascending pyelonephritis (infection rises along the urinary tract, affecting the kidneys);
disorders in the sexual sphere (in men – premature ejaculation (ejaculation), erectile dysfunction; in women – vaginosis ( painful condition, in which sexual intercourse is accompanied by pain), menstrual irregularities;

Separately, there are such consequences of ureaplasmosis as damage to the testicles (orchitis) and the epididymis (epididymitis) in men. In women, the development of chronic adnexitis (inflammation of the epididymis) and ooritis (inflammation of the ovaries itself).

Read also about urogenital ureaplasmosis and discharge from the urethra and traditional methods treatment of male diseases, including urethritis.

Ureaplasmosis in pregnant women

According to modern ideas, this topic is very relevant. Isolation of ureaplasma as independent type occurred in 1954, when its connection with miscarriage and severe lung pathology in newborns was established. However modern research can't with full confidence confirm this fact.

Currently, ureaplasma is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium, which is widespread and only under certain conditions realizes its pathogenic properties. It has been established that the frequency of pregnancy complications due to ureaplasmosis occurs with impaired immunity and/or massive colonization of the urogenital tract with ureaplasma (bacteria content<10 4 /мл биологического материала). Таким образом, чтобы избежать осложнений требуется постоянное наблюдение у врача. И строго соблюдать его рекомендации.

When planning a child, screening for ureaplasmosis is necessary for timely treatment. Both future parents are examined. During pregnancy, examination is indicated in the following cases:

the presence of signs of an inflammatory process in the urogenital tract in the absence of other pathogens;
history of miscarriage, infertility, etc.;
complicated real pregnancy, suggesting infection of the fetus.

Ureaplasmosis in pregnant women is subsequently detected in approximately 30% of cases of negative test results.

To detect the disease, laboratory diagnostics take the leading place, since signs of ureaplasma inflammation are most often not expressed. The only symptom (with a normal pregnancy) is slight discharge without a specific odor. If fetal development is delayed, a malnutrition or the presence of signs of placental circulatory insufficiency in the absence of other causes is also a sign of the disease.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis in pregnant women has strict indications that are similar to those during examination (clinical picture of inflammation of the genitourinary organs in the absence of other pathogens, miscarriage in the past, complicated course of the current pregnancy, etc.). To this we only need to add the planning of surgical intervention or invasive research in the area of the urogenital tract, as well as the presence of high titers of the pathogen in the tests.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis during pregnancy usually begins in the second trimester of pregnancy. The drug of choice is the macrolide, josamycin, which is regulated in various recommendations and treatment protocols.

Only a doctor should treat you; you should not self-medicate!

At the same time, immunostimulants, adaptogens, and vitamin complexes are actively prescribed. With complex treatment, the probability of curing the disease with one course of therapy is up to 97%. In other cases, repeated therapy is necessary.

The goals of therapy are the complete removal of ureaplasma from the pregnant woman’s body, but also, otherwise, a reduction in their number to normal values against the background of relief of inflammation and the bacterial landscape of the vagina.

Prevention does not have any special recommendations. The basic provisions are similar to those for other sexually transmitted infections.

Ureaplasmosis during pregnancy is not a death sentence and, with timely diagnosis and treatment, has a favorable prognosis.

Read also the article about ureaplasmosis in men.

Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis

There are 4 main methods for diagnosing ureaplasmosis:

bacteriological, which consists of applying biological material, which may contain ureaplasma, onto nutrient media for bacterial growth. Vaginal secretions and scrapings from the urethra or cervix are used. This method is unique in that it provides a 100% guarantee of establishing the fact of infection by the pathogen, allows you to determine the sensitivity of ureaplasma to antibiotics, determine the titer (quantity) of bacteria in 1 ml of material (with a titer of about 10 4, a person is a carrier, and most often does not require treatment; when titer more than 10 4 – drug therapy is necessary). The method is expensive and requires quite a lot of time (about 7-10 days);
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis using this method is the most common method for diagnosing ureaplasmosis. Using PCR, the presence of genetic material in biological material is determined, upon detection of which it is 100% possible to confirm the presence of ureaplasma in the body. The method is fast, accessible and relatively cheap. The disadvantages include the impossibility of determining the titer of the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics;
a serological method that determines the presence of specific immune proteins (antibodies) to ureaplasma. The method is quick, but it has only approximate value, since antibodies in a person’s blood can be detected both during an acute illness and after recovery;
the DIF (direct immunofluorescence) method and ELISA (immunofluorescence analysis) also determine the presence of antibodies to ureaplasma and are of approximate value. Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis by this method is accessible and relatively cheap. The accuracy is only 50-75%.

Typically, material for analysis is taken in the morning before urination (with retained urine), and in women - before menstruation. After treatment, control tests are carried out after 7 days, 1 and 2 months (in women, also before the next menstruation).

Treatment of ureaplasmosis

Effective treatment of ureaplasmosis, both in men and women, is carried out individually and requires constant monitoring. Depending on the nature of the disease, treatment tactics are different. Acute ureaplasmosis, treatment of which is achieved by prescribing one antibacterial drug, is the easiest to choose treatment tactics. Subacute forms can be cured with a combination of medications and local therapy. Chronic ureaplasmosis requires complex treatment with the prescription of drugs from various groups.

The goal of treatment for ureaplasmosis is to completely remove the causative agent of the disease from the body, and if this is not possible, to reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations of the chronic inflammation caused by it.

Basic rules:

Ureaplasmosis should be treated exclusively by a doctor;
both sexual partners are treated;
during treatment you should abstain from sexual activity (protected sexual intercourse or protected oral sex is allowed);
During treatment, it is recommended to follow a diet (no smoking, alcohol, spicy, salty, spicy foods, exotic dishes);
The treatment regimen for ureaplasmosis requires strict adherence.

There are 3 main approaches to the treatment of ureaplasmosis. Firstly, this is the prescription of adequate antibacterial therapy. This is achieved by the fact that antibiotics for ureaplasmosis are used only after determining the sensitivity of ureaplasma to antibacterial drugs and prescribing them in the maximum therapeutic dosage. There is no single drug for ureaplasmosis.

Antibacterial therapy

Currently, 3 main groups of drugs are used:

Fluoroquinolones. Among them are Ciprofloxacin (Tsiprobay), Moxifloxacin (Avelox);
Macrolides. The most famous is Azithromycin (Sumamed). However, recently its effectiveness has been decreasing (ureaplasma develops resistance to it). "Josamycin" ("Vilprafen") is a modern drug that is effective in the treatment of ureaplasmosis. Modern therapy for ureaplasmosis also uses Clarithromycin (Klacid), which has minimal side effects;
Tetracyclines. The most effective in treating the disease is Doxycycline (Unidox Solutab). Due to its widespread and uncontrolled use, this drug is falling out of practice.

The drugs are prescribed both in tablets and in the form of various powders, emulsions, and suppositories.

Along with antibiotics of one of the groups, drugs of the metronidazole series (Metronidazole) are prescribed, and, if necessary, antifungal drugs (Diflucan, etc.).

Immunotherapy

Secondly, ureaplasmosis develops with reduced general and local immunity. This requires parallel administration of immunostimulants. Most often, preference is given to drugs of the interferon group (Cycloferon, Neovir).

Regenerative therapy

Thirdly, optimization of treatment is achieved by prescribing adaptogens (Estifan, etc.), antioxidants (Antioxicaps, etc.), drugs that restore mucous membranes (Methyluracil, etc.), biostimulants (aloe extract, Plazmol etc.), enzymatic preparations (Wobenzym, etc.).

Ureaplasmosis and treatment with folk remedies is a topic that is actively debated. But modern medicine is skeptical about this.

Read also about “Urogenital ureaplasmosis” and traditional methods of treating male diseases, including urethritis.

Causes of ureaplasmosis

Ureaplasmosis is a disease that is transmitted exclusively sexually and the specific pathogen of which is a large group of bacteria from the genus Ureaplasma of the Mycoplasmataceae family.

It should be noted that ureaplasma is normally found in the human genital tract and urinary tract. This bacterium is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, which only under certain conditions can cause the development of disease. Ureaplasmosis has 2 main causes:

the number of ureaplasmas exceeds normal values (the content of bacteria in 1 ml of biological fluid (sperm, prostate or vaginal secretions, urine, etc.) exceeds 10 4);
the body has a low level of immunity. Relative immunodeficiency develops after cold viral diseases, operations, stress, physical overtraining, etc. Absolute immunodeficiency - as a result of cancer, complete damage to the bone marrow during acute radiation sickness, etc.

Ureaplasmosis and other causes of its development are being closely studied. It has been established that in approximately 50% of cases of gonorrhea, 38-43% of chlamydia diseases and 35-41% of cases of trichomoniasis, increased levels of ureaplasma are found in biological fluids. Thus, ureaplasmosis can occur in the presence of a concomitant urogenital infection (so-called mixed infections), and in some cases creates conditions for its occurrence.

Ureaplasmosis is widespread among the population. About 50% of the total sexually active male population is a carrier of ureaplasma. In about 36% of women, when examining vaginal secretions, increased titers of ureaplasma are determined. To determine among the population groups at increased risk of ureaplasmosis, risk factors are identified, which are presented below:

early age of onset of sexual activity (before 18 years);
promiscuity, promiscuous sexual behavior and representatives of the sex industry;
past diseases of the reproductive system, diseases that are sexually transmitted;
age 14-19 and 23-29 years;
ignoring the use of means of protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Ureaplasmosis in women

The prevalence of ureaplasmosis among the female population who are of sexually active age is about 36%. It should be noted that the detection of ureaplasma is not yet a painful condition. Currently, the concentration (titer) of the pathogen up to 10 4 units per 1 ml of biological material (vaginal secretions, urine, scrapings from the urethra, etc.) is considered acceptable and does not require treatment. At the same time, a diagnosis of “ureaplasmosis” is made in a woman if signs of the development of the disease are detected, the presence of other urogenital infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc.) or an increase in titer of more than 10 4 - and requires the most active treatment.

Signs of ureaplasmosis in women

The disease does not have any clear specific symptoms, and the symptoms are similar to those of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ureaplasmosis occurs gradually and quickly becomes chronic. This condition can last for years without manifesting itself.

Among the signs, one can note only periodic moderate itching and burning in the genital area, somewhat painful sexual intercourse. At the onset of the disease, ureaplasmosis can be characterized by scanty whey-colored discharge without a distinct odor. However, if another infection occurs (development of mixed infections), the color and smell of the discharge may change.

In the absence of clear signs of the disease, its complications come to the fore (see “Consequences of ureaplasmosis”). The picture of the disease is disguised as the clinical picture of another pathology. Signs of chronic inflammation of the pelvic organs, kidney damage (pain in the lower abdomen, back, when urinating, menstrual irregularities, etc.) become the reason for visiting a doctor. Often, a patient comes in for long-term, worsening concomitant diseases of the urogenital tract, the cause of which cannot be determined. These include nonspecific colpitis, cervicitis, inflammation of the uterine appendages, etc. Often, a woman suffers from the inability to conceive a child or repeated miscarriages.

Thus, laboratory diagnostic methods are of decisive importance in diagnosing the disease (in more detail - “Diagnostics of ureaplasmosis”).

Treatment of ureaplasmosis in women

Treatment goals:

reducing the frequency of exacerbations and severity of inflammatory processes in the affected organs, ideally - complete removal of the pathogen from the woman’s body.

Only a doctor should treat ureaplasmosis.

Complex therapy is carried out with the simultaneous use of non-medicinal agents (garlic extracts, echinacea; interferon, etc.) and medications.

The treatment regimen for ureaplasmosis in women using antibacterial drugs is as follows:

the duration of treatment is from 7 to 14 days;
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of ureaplasma:
- macrolides (eg: josamycin)
- tetracyclines (eg: doxycycline)
- fluoroquinolones (eg: ofloxacin)

At the same time, antifungal drugs (fluconazole, etc.) and drugs of the metronidazole series (metronidazole), enzyme preparations (eg Wobenzym©) are prescribed. In order to cure a woman, therapy is necessary for both sexual partners, and often a repeat course.

The effectiveness of treatment is assessed 2 weeks after treatment. Upon receipt of negative results, further preventive examinations are carried out once a year (in more detail - “Prevention of ureaplasmosis”).

Ureaplasmosis is an infectious disease of the genitourinary system, which is of a bacterial nature and provoked by a pathogen called ureaplasma. The latter belongs to the category of opportunistic microorganisms, i.e. it can be present in the human body without causing any problems or inconvenience until certain provoking factors occur, for example, a decrease in protective functions, artificial termination of pregnancy, unsuccessful use of intravaginal contraceptives, and even simply against the background of common common diseases or normal menstruation.

Ureaplasma in women - manifestations and treatment

Having received one of the above “shocks”, ureaplasma begins to destroy the membranes of healthy cells, provoking the appearance of signs of inflammatory processes. The infection can be characterized by an acute course and become chronic.

Symptoms are usually vague. The main problem of ureaplasmosis is that it may not manifest itself in any way, i.e. Patients often have no idea about the presence of the disease, but are already carriers of it and pose a danger to their sexual partners.

Quite often, ureaplasmosis is diagnosed in combination with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis and other common diseases of the genitourinary system.

Transmission of ureaplasma in the vast majority of cases occurs during sexual contact with an infected person. It is possible for the fetus to become infected by an infected mother. Household transmission is extremely unlikely.

You have received basic information about such a disease as ureaplasmosis. Next, you are invited to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of its manifestation in women, as well as study information about methods for diagnosing the infection and subsequently getting rid of it.

As noted, the disease may not manifest itself in any way for a fairly long period (up to several months or even more). Menstruation disorders, painful and uncomfortable sensations, vaginal discharge - all of this, although characteristic of ureaplasmosis (in principle, as for most other diseases of the genitourinary system), may be absent.

In many situations, symptoms and signs appear only under the influence of unfavorable factors, the list of which was given earlier. Features of the manifestation of “female” ureaplasmosis are presented in the following table.

Table. Symptoms and signs of ureaplasmosis in female patients

List of signs and symptoms	Explanations
	As a rule, they are quite scarce, odorless and colorless. Along with this, if the inflammatory process has already started, the discharge may take on a strong, unpleasant odor and change color to greenish or yellow.
	As a rule, they are localized in the lower abdomen and appear as a cutting type. In this case, ureaplasmosis most likely caused complications on the appendages and uterus.
	If the infection occurs during oral sex, signs characteristic of a sore throat may appear: plaque on the tonsils (tonsils), pain in the oropharynx, difficulty swallowing, etc.
	The urge to empty the bladder becomes more and more frequent, accompanied, at the same time, by painful sensations, stinging, and burning.
	It becomes painful and uncomfortable for the patient to have sex. Unpleasant sensations appear during sexual intercourse and persist after it is completed.

Important! Be sure to go to the doctor after unprotected sexual contact with an unverified partner, if such a relationship has occurred. Even if ureaplasmosis remains asymptomatic, it can lead to many serious adverse consequences.

Thus, if the disease becomes chronic, pathogenic microorganisms attach themselves to the mucous membranes of the genital organs and simply wait for a “push to activate.” As a last resort, in the presence of chronic ureaplasmosis, even a common cold, severe stress or heavy physical exertion will be sufficient.

Depending on the intensity of manifestation and stage of progression of ureaplasmosis, in combination with the above symptoms, other unfavorable signs characteristic of inflammatory diseases and intoxication lesions may be observed.

Left unattended, ureaplasmosis will most likely lead to severe complications in the form of cystitis, colpitis, urolithiasis and a number of other pathologies, including arthritis, infertility and the inability to bear a child.

Before starting treatment, you need to undergo the necessary diagnostic measures. More about them later.

Diagnosis procedure

In many clinical cases, the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis causes certain difficulties. The bottom line is that the infectious agent has a conditional “permission” to remain part of the natural microflora of the female vagina. That is, for example, if during any gynecological or other examination ureaplasma was detected in the patient’s material, this is not 100% evidence of the presence of the disease being studied today.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor must first of all determine the number of opportunistic microorganisms in the organs of the genitourinary system and, based on the results of such a study, draw conclusions about the existing risks.

The beginning of the examination is always the same.

identification of symptoms indicating the presence of acute or chronic infectious and inflammatory processes;
pregnancy pathologies, history of infertility;
previous sex with an infected partner.

Traditionally, general clinical tests are taken, as well as smears (bacterioscopy), culture (the presence of pathogenic microflora is determined and, if necessary, its sensitivity to various antibiotics is studied) and PCR (the DNA of the pathogen is detected).

Additionally, the patient may be prescribed tests for mycoplasmosis, chlamydia, hepatitis and other diseases transmitted through sexual contact.

The most reliable diagnostic method is PCR. This analysis allows us to detect the presence of DNA of pathogenic microorganisms in the material under study. The accuracy of the method approaches 100% and allows you to detect even single pathogen cells. Thus, using PCR, it is possible to confirm the presence of ureaplasmosis even at the stage of the incubation period and in the case of a latent course in the absence of characteristic symptoms and signs.

Along with this, in order for PCR to give the expected results, the analysis must be taken and performed by qualified specialists in compliance with established rules and requirements.

The possibility of false-positive study results cannot be excluded. These may be present in the following situations:

when the test material is contaminated;
if the analysis is carried out shortly after treatment for ureaplasmosis. In this case, the study will indicate the presence of pathogenic microorganisms of interest, but with a high degree of probability they will already be dead and harmless;
in case of unsuccessful collection of material for research;
in case of taking material during the first month after treatment with antibiotics, performing douching, using suppositories;
if the rules for taking the test are violated: at least 1 hour must pass between the last urination and the collection of the material.

Despite the high efficiency and reliability of research using the PCR method, it is wrong to limit ourselves to this analysis alone. It is better to undergo a comprehensive examination. If questionable results are obtained, the doctor may refer you for repeat tests.

In addition to identifying the DNA of the causative agent of the disease, a specialist must evaluate the characteristics of the human body’s immune response to the activity of pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, serological diagnostic measures, for example, ELISA, are traditionally used.

If ureaplasma is detected in the body in the absence of symptoms of ureaplasmosis, further diagnostics will be recommended. As a rule, a culture is done. This method is characterized by high accuracy and reliability. The point is this: material (smear) is taken for analysis, then placed in a nutrient medium and the characteristics of growth and development are assessed.

As noted, for the most accurate diagnosis of the disease being studied, it is necessary to know such a parameter as the amount of ureaplasma in the body, and it is culture that allows such an assessment.

To determine the characteristics of the pathogen's response to drugs, an antibiogram is done. Based on the results, the specialist will be able to develop the most effective treatment program for a particular case, because Ureaplasmas react differently to exposure to various antibacterial drugs.

Treatment methods

Remember the main rule: in the case of ureaplasmosis, other diseases of the genitourinary system, and any disease in general, uncontrolled self-medication is an unforgivable mistake - only with a competent and qualified approach can you count on positive results, otherwise the situation can only get worse.

Antibiotics are used to treat ureaplasmosis. Specific drugs, their dosages and features of use are determined by the doctor on an individual basis. As a rule, not only tablets are prescribed, but also means for insertion into the vagina - douching or suppositories. In advanced cases, drugs for intravenous administration can be used.

Antibacterial therapy is recommended to be combined with the use of immunomodulators. Additionally, eubiotics are involved. The use of these reduces the risk of disrupting the normal microflora of the body. If ureaplasmosis is detected in a pregnant woman, treatment, as a rule, begins no earlier than 22-23 weeks.

The average duration of therapy is 2 weeks, sometimes less. During treatment, the patient must follow a healthy diet, not drink alcohol, and not have sex. At the same time, not only the infected woman, but also each of her partners should be treated.

Upon completion of the therapeutic course, a control examination is prescribed. Based on the results, the doctor draws conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment received and the likelihood of ureaplasmosis returning in the future. For control, as a rule, methods such as culture or PCR are used. Re-examination is usually scheduled several weeks after completion of treatment. Women are strongly advised to undergo new tests for at least 3 menstrual cycles.

If the results of a repeat examination reveal ureaplasmosis again, the tests will have to be retaken. If the new results are positive, the doctor will prescribe a second course of treatment. And only after each control (and, as noted, there are at least three in total) shows negative results, it will be possible to calm down and draw conclusions about the woman’s cure.

Ureaplasma in women remains one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the urinary and genital organs, but a feature of this disease is the long existence of this disease in a latent, hidden form.

The causative agent of ureaplosis is the smallest bacteria ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum). The disease is transmitted sexually. The peculiarity of these bacteria is that they lack a cell wall.

At first, ureaplasmas were classified as mycoplasmas, but were separated into a separate genus because of their ability to break down urea. With ureaplasmosis, damage to the urethra (urethra), prostate gland and cervix is possible.

In this material we will look at ureaplasma in women: important symptoms, causes and treatment regimen using antibacterial drugs.

Causes

The causes of ureaplasmosis are considered to be a number of factors that may lead to a decrease in a woman’s immune status.

The microorganism ureaplasma enters the human body in several possible ways. Most often, the infection is transmitted sexually. Among other things, when passing through the birth canal during labor, a child can be infected by a sick mother.

There is also a household method of transmitting infection, but modern doctors do not have a clear opinion on this method. Some of them are inclined to believe that one can become infected in public places, for example, in transport or in the shower, but there are also antagonists to this theory.

In fact, ureaplasma is present in most people who are sexually active. with a small amount of ureaplasma, symptoms may be completely absent, and appear only when their number increases for some reason.

Kinds

The treatment regimen for ureaplasma in women with the help of drugs is established depending on the presence or absence of diseases such as endometritis, endocervicitis, salpingitis.

Early. There are sluggish, subacute and acute ureaplasmosis;
Chronic. Characterized by the absence of symptoms. Ureaplasmosis becomes chronic approximately 2 months after the pathogen enters the body.

It should be noted that under the influence of stress factors, ureaplasmosis can progress into an acute or chronically recurrent form. The incubation period of the disease is approximately 3-5 weeks. Most often, women act as carriers of ureaplasmosis.

Signs of ureaplasmosis

Each woman can determine whether she has an infection based on certain signs of the disease:

vaginal discharge;
the presence of scanty bloody discharge from the vagina after sexual intercourse;
pain during sexual intercourse;
difficulty conceiving.

If you find these symptoms, you should consult a doctor and conduct a thorough diagnosis, after which the doctor will tell you how to treat ureaplasma.

Symptoms of ureaplasma in women

Ureaplasmas are constantly in our body, and only in certain situations does the process of their activation begin. The absence of pronounced symptoms leads to infection of partners for a long period of time until they appear, since the infected person may not be aware of his illness.

The first signs that can warn a person appear 14-28 days after sexual intercourse. Sometimes ureaplasmosis occurs without pronounced symptoms. Accordingly, treatment in this case is not carried out and the disease can become chronic.

Symptoms of ureaplasma in women may be as follows:

Vaginal discharge. As a rule, they are transparent and odorless. If their color changes and a characteristic smell appears, this will be evidence of the onset of inflammation.
Pain in the lower abdomen, which are more reminiscent of cramps, may also indicate that ureaplasma has provoked an inflammatory process in the uterus and appendages.
Frequent urination. A common symptom of ureaplasmosis in women. Quite often the process of urination is accompanied by painful sensations. As a rule, there is a burning sensation inside the urethra.
Discomfort and pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse and after it.

Even if ureaplasma occurs without symptoms and does not bother the woman, it must be treated, not independently at home, but by a specialist.

Ureaplasma during pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, the first thing a woman needs to do is get tested for the presence of ureaplasma. This is due to two reasons.

The presence of even a minimal amount of ureaplasma in the genitourinary system of a healthy woman during the period of bearing a child leads to their activation, as a result of which ureaplasmosis develops.
In the early stages of pregnancy, ureaplasmosis cannot be treated (by the way, during this period it is most dangerous for the fetus), since antibiotics negatively affect the growth and proper development of the fetus.

How to treat ureaplasma in women: treatment regimen

First of all, when treating the disease, a gentle diet is prescribed (exclude spicy, salty, fatty and fried foods, alcohol) and a ban on sexual intercourse is imposed during the treatment period. In addition, treatment should be prescribed not only to the woman, but also to her partner.

For ureaplasma, treatment is not fundamentally different from the treatment of other STDs in women. If the disease is chronic (and this is what we most often have to deal with), then immunostimulating agents are used in treatment. Local therapy and treatment with antibiotics to which Ureaplasma urealyticum is sensitive are also carried out.

These can be drugs from the tetracycline group (doxycycline), macrolides (azithromycin, josamycin), fluoroquinolones (ciprolet, ciprofloxacin). The drugs are prescribed orally in tablets. The course of antibiotics is 7-10 days.

After completing the treatment regimen, it is necessary to take medications that (Linex, Bificol, Bifidumbacterin).

Local treatment of ureaplasma in women is reduced to the use of vaginal and rectal suppositories.

Genferon is a suppository that has an active antibacterial and antiviral effect and has a positive effect on the state of systemic and local immunity. Genferon suppositories are used twice a day for 10 days. In cases where ureaplasmosis is chronic, the duration of therapy can be increased.
Hexicon is a suppository containing the antiseptic substance chlorhexine bigluconate. The drug actively destroys ureaplasma without having a negative effect on the natural vaginal microflora. To combat ureaplasmosis, it is enough to use one suppository per day for a week.
inflammation of the ovaries;
– inflammation of the cervical appendages.

Therefore, when a woman detects the first symptoms, she should not think long about how to treat ureaplasma, but go to see a specialist.

The causative agent of this disease is the microorganism ureaplasma, which belongs to intracellular microbes. Ureaplasmosis tends to be chronic.

Causes

The causes of ureaplasmosis in both women and men can be:

frequent change of sexual partners;
unprotected sex;
lack of personal hygiene;
infection of the fetus from the mother.

The most favorable factor in the development of this disease is a decrease in immunity, which can be caused by low-quality and insufficient nutrition, bad habits, a previous viral disease, nervous disorders and constant stress, the use of antibacterial and hormonal drugs, and radiation exposure.

Symptoms

Ureaplasmosis may not bother you for a long time. The incubation period of this disease is 7-14 days. The absence of symptoms of ureaplasmosis can in some cases lead to the disease becoming chronic and causing serious health consequences.

The symptoms of ureaplasmosis are not very specific and are similar to the manifestations of other diseases that are transmitted during sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men

scanty discharge from the urethra;
burning and pain in the penis area, which intensifies during sexual intercourse or urination;
soreness in the scrotum area;
impaired sperm quality;
discomfort and prolonged nagging pain in the depths and lower abdomen and perineum.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women

burning and pain during urination;
vaginal discharge;
the presence of scant bloody discharge from the vagina after sex;
pain in the lower abdomen;
pain during sex;
difficulty conceiving.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis

Treatment scheme. Drugs used.

Treatment regimens for this disease are similar in women and men. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment. In most cases, specialists prescribe tetracycline antibiotics. If ureaplasma resistance to this group is detected, the drugs can be replaced with macrolides or fluoroquinolones. Sometimes treatment requires the use of 2 antibacterial agents from different groups simultaneously.

After antibiotic therapy, for the prevention and treatment of dysbiosis, it is recommended to take drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora. To strengthen the immune system, patients are prescribed natural immunomodulators (schisandra, echinacea extract, rosehip syrup and decoction) and multivitamin preparations. After completing therapy, you should undergo a follow-up examination.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis with folk remedies.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis with the help of folk remedies is usually resorted to if taking medications for various reasons is undesirable.

There are a large number of home recipes for treating this disease, but the most effective is the collection, which is based on Deryabin’s recipe. This collection will help normalize the acid balance; it has diuretic, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties. To prepare it, you need to take all the following ingredients in equal proportions:

pine and birch buds;
flowering of chamomile, immortelle, calendula and linden;
dandelion, valerian and burnet roots;
leaves of oregano, dried cucumber, mint, motherwort, celandine, thyme, St. John's wort and sage;
leaves of nettle, coltsfoot and plantain.

All ingredients must be mixed and ground. Next, take 2 tablespoons of powder from the resulting mass and pour boiling water over it. Then you need to close the lid tightly and leave overnight. For a three-month course, you should consume 3-4 glasses per day.

Garlic paste can be a good help in treating the disease. To do this, you need to finely chop 10 grams of garlic and mix with the same amount of sunflower oil. Add a teaspoon of iodized salt and a tablespoon of lemon juice with zest to the resulting mixture. Next, the mixture must be thoroughly beaten. The paste should be taken orally after meals.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis with folk methods is well supported by douching. To do this, you can prepare a decoction of 1 part boron uterus, 2 parts dried oak bark, 1 part Kuril tea and 1 part bergenia root. The collection should be poured with hot water and cooked, bringing to a boil, for half an hour. Then let it brew for a couple of hours.

Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis

In order to detect the presence of ureaplasma, specialists use a whole set of diagnostic methods.

The classic method for diagnosing the disease is bacterial culture for ureaplasmosis, in which the biomaterial is placed in a favorable environment for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms. The material for analysis can be urine, blood, sputum, prostate secretions, pathological fluids, scrapings of epithelial cells, serum.

Another method is PCR. This is the most sensitive and accurate method that allows you to identify the causative agent of the disease by the presence of its DNA. Ureaplasma is diagnosed using material obtained from the cervical canal, vagina, and urethra.

Determination of antibodies to the disease is possible using the serological method. The material for the study is venous blood taken from the ulnar vein in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Consequences of ureaplasmosis

The main danger of this disease is that it is often asymptomatic, but can affect almost all areas of the genitourinary system. If a woman does not treat ureaplasmosis for a long time, it can cause:

cervicitis (inflammation of the cervical mucosa);
vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina);
(inflammation in the area of the ovaries and uterine appendages);
endometritis (damage to the lining of the uterus);
salpingitis (damage to the fallopian tubes).

The latter disease not only causes physical discomfort to a woman, it can also cause ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Men are less susceptible to uraeplasmosis. They exhibit symptoms of this disease less frequently than women, as a result of which the disease can progress for a long time before making itself felt. Ureaplasmosis in men can cause:

prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland);
urethritis (inflammation of the urethra, accompanied by discharge and itching when urinating);
disorders of spermatogenesis (sperm activity decreases).

Useful video

How to protect yourself from ureaplasmosis - advice from Elena Malysheva.