Ureaplasmosis in men
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men
- Diagnostics
- Treatment of ureaplasmosis in men
- Potential consequences and complications
- Forecast
- Prevention
Ureaplasmosis in men is a disease that belongs to the group of sexually transmitted infections and manifests itself in men with symptoms of non-gonorrheal urethritis.
It is more often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 30, that is, during the period of highest sexual activity.
Ureaplasma urealyticum (ureaplasma) - a microorganism that is the causative agent of ureaplasmosis
Causes and risk factors
The causative agent of ureaplasmosis is Ureaplasma urealyticum (ureaplasma) - a microorganism belonging to the mycoplasma family, which is a cross between bacteria and viruses. Their feature is the absence of a cell membrane and DNA. Ureaplasma got its name for its ability to break down urea (urea).
The infection is transmitted in most cases from person to person through sexual contact. The contact-household transmission route associated with violations of the rules of personal hygiene by patients is much less common.
Ureaplasma urealyticum belongs to conditionally pathogenic microflora. This means that infection with this microorganism does not in all cases lead to the development of the disease, but only with a decrease in the body's defenses. In about 80% of cases, ureaplasmosis in men develops simultaneously with other diseases of the genitourinary system, for example, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. This combination of several infectious agents is called a mixed infection. Such communities of various microorganisms protect each other from the effects of antibacterial drugs, and also significantly modify the symptoms of the disease, making it difficult to diagnose it in a timely manner.
Ureaplasmosis in men in most cases has a chronic course with sluggish exacerbations, which are caused by various factors that reduce the activity of the immune system (exacerbation of chronic somatic diseases, surgery, stress, hypothermia, infectious diseases, etc.). The urethra, bladder, testes and prostate gland are drawn into the pathological process. Ureaplasmosis in men can provoke the development of joint inflammation (arthritis).
Promiscuous sex life is a risk factor for the development of ureaplasmosis in men
Risk factors for the development of the disease are:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- promiscuous sex life with frequent changes of partners;
- previous sexually transmitted diseases.
Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men
The incubation period of the disease is 14–21 days. Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men are similar to the clinical manifestations of other diseases that affect the organs of the genitourinary system. These include:
- pain and burning sensation when urinating;
- scanty discharge from the urethra;
- symptoms of prostatitis (pain and heaviness in the groin, pelvis, lower back, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder);
- manifestations of orchiepidymitis (compaction of the testicle and its epididymis, redness of the scrotum, pain).
Pain and heaviness in the groin, pelvis and lower back - symptoms of ureaplasmosis in men
The most typical symptom of ureaplasmosis in men is prolonged sluggish urethritis. It is characterized by periodically appearing minor discharge from the urethra.
Diagnostics
It is impossible to diagnose ureaplasmosis in men on the basis of clinical manifestations alone, since they are not specific. Diagnosis of the disease is based mainly on the results of laboratory tests. However, given that Ureaplasma urealyticum is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis in men is made only when the following factors are present simultaneously:
- inflammatory process affecting the urogenital tract;
- identification of Ureaplasma urealyticum in the contents of the urethra;
- the absence of any other microorganisms that can cause a disease with similar symptoms.
To diagnose ureaplasmosis in men, a PCR study and a number of other tests are performed
With smear microscopy, it is very difficult to detect ureaplasma due to the presence in a significant amount of other associated microflora. Therefore, in clinical practice, other methods of laboratory diagnostics are more often used:
- serological;
- microbiological;
- method of genetic probes;
- PCR diagnostics;
- ELISA diagnostics.
Treatment of ureaplasmosis in men
The main goal of the treatment of ureaplasmosis in men is to eliminate the mixed infection and restore the normal balance of the microflora of the urogenital organs.
Antibiotic therapy is given with tetracyclines, macrolides, or lincosamides. Ureaplasma is resistant to cephalosporins and penicillins, therefore they are not used in the treatment of ureaplasmosis. If necessary, the patient may be prescribed antifungal or antiprotozoal drugs.
In order to increase the activity of the immune system, immunomodulators and immunostimulants are included in the scheme of complex treatment of ureaplasmosis in men. For the normalization of microflora, eubiotics and probiotics are indicated.
Of no small importance in the treatment of the disease is given to proper nutrition, as one of the main methods of strengthening the body's defenses. The diet should include foods rich in proteins and vitamins (boiled meat, kefir, cottage cheese, vegetables and fruits). The use of fried, smoked, spicy foods, spices and alcoholic beverages should be avoided, as these products can activate the inflammatory process.
During the treatment of ureaplasmosis, men should refrain from sexual activity.
The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the attending physician. The disease is considered cured if ureaplasma is not detected in the patient during repeated laboratory tests.
During the treatment of ureaplasmosis, a man should refrain from sex
Potential consequences and complications
Ureaplasmosis in men in the absence of appropriate therapy can lead to the development of serious complications. The enzymes synthesized by Ureaplasma urealyticum in the course of vital activity are able to change the viscosity of the sperm, as well as dissolve the sperm membrane. In addition, a chronic inflammatory process in the tissues of the testicle and its appendages causes disturbances in spermatogenesis, that is, the process of formation and maturation of spermatozoa. All this ultimately leads to the formation of infertility.
Another complication of ureaplasmosis in men can be the development of urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra), leading to difficulty urinating up to acute urinary retention.
Forecast
The prognosis for life is favorable.
In the absence of treatment, ureaplasmosis in men is capable of acquiring a chronic course. Under the influence of stress, colds, hypothermia or the use of alcoholic beverages, the disease periodically aggravates, and then goes into remission again - such a protracted course of the disease reduces the quality of life and can lead to infertility.
Treatment of ureaplasmosis in men is carried out using broad-spectrum antibiotics, which leads to an imbalance in the normal microflora of the patient's body. As a result, they may develop secondary fungal infections that require appropriate therapy.
Prevention
To prevent infection with ureaplasmosis, men should refuse casual sexual intercourse, and in all doubtful cases, use condoms.
In the event of unprotected intercourse with a casual partner, it is recommended to contact a venereologist as soon as possible for emergency prevention of infection with sexually transmitted infections, including ureaplasmosis. During this prophylaxis, the doctor rinses the urethra with an aqueous solution of an antiseptic, for example, chlorhexidine. However, it should be borne in mind that frequent emergency prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is unacceptable, as it can lead to the development of allergic urethritis.
If ureaplasmosis is detected, the patient's sexual partner should also be examined, if necessary, he will also be prescribed a course of treatment.
YouTube video related to the article:
Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
