Mixed Urogenital Flora – All You Need To Know

What Is Urogenital Flora?

Urogenital flora is a micro-ecosystem of bacteria that live in the urogenital tract — the combination of the urinary and reproductive systems. This flora helps you maintain a healthy balance in the tract, preventing infections and other health problems.

The bacterial community comprises several species, varying according to a person’s age, health conditions, and several other factors. The most common bacteria found in the urogenital tract are¹:

• ‍Lactobacillus
• Escherichia coli
• Peptostreptococci
• Corynebacteria
• Streptococci

In women, a balanced urogenital flora is key to maintaining a healthy vagina. These bacteria are responsible for producing the slightly acidic environment of the reproductive system, which helps keep harmful microorganisms away. Yet, this balance can sometimes get disrupted, resulting in a condition called “mixed urogenital flora."

What Is Mixed Urogenital Flora?

Mixed urogenital flora refers to an unusual growth of multiple types of bacteria in your urogenital tract. This can lead to several health problems and cause symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection (UTI)². It can occur in men and women alike, although it’s often associated with women due to its close link with bacterial vaginosis³.

As most people know, a single type of bacteria overgrowing in the urogenital tract (a clear symptom of a UTI) isn’t uncommon. It’s estimated that about 50% to 60% of adult women get at least one UTI over the course of their lives². However, when a urine test shows that multiple bacteria are overgrowing, it can be a sign of more severe health problems or a contamination issue.

Mixed Urogenital Flora Meaning in a Test

If you get a mixed urogenital flora test result, there are three main possibilities. The first and more serious one involves an infection or other health problem that arises from the unusual presence of several microorganisms in the urogenital tract.

For example, mixed urogenital flora could mean that you have a UTI that’s caused by one type of those bacteria, like a lactobacillus UTI². Another possibility is bacterial vaginosis — a bacterial imbalance inside the vagina³. Similarly, yeast infections are also caused by alterations in the vaginal micro-ecosystem⁴.

However, getting a mixed urogenital flora result from your urine test could also mean that nothing is wrong. As mentioned above, the urogenital flora naturally contains several microorganisms that provide protection against harmful pathogens. As such, your case may need to be supervised by a doctor to distinguish if the result stems from a health problem or natural urogenital tract balance.

Finally, mixed urogenital flora is often the result of contaminated urine samples^{5, 6}. Due to the closeness between your urogenital tract and your anus, sometimes bacteria can get across during a urine test. Manipulating your genitals with your hands during urine collection can also cause the same phenomenon.