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Treating Mixed Urogenital Flora
The treatment for mixed urogenital flora — if it needs any treatment at all — will depend on its exact cause. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-inflammatory medications to eliminate the excess microorganisms. Unfortunately, there’s no best antibiotic for mixed urogenital flora, as the exact medication will depend on which bacteria are overgrowing.
Similarly, doctors may recommend lifestyle and diet changes along with using barrier protection methods during sex. Probiotics may also help restore vaginal and urinary flora. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 is one of the most popular choices for this, as it has been widely studied and proven to be successful in restoring microfloral balance [7].
Preventing Mixed Urogenital Flora
Preventing mixed urogenital flora, like most flora-related problems, begins with maintaining good genital hygiene. This includes gently and regularly washing the area with soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals, and practicing safe sex. Similarly, taking probiotics can help you ensure a healthy and balanced urogenital flora.
However, if your mixed urogenital flora result stems from a contaminated urine sample, you’ll need to revise your urine collection technique. To get a clean sample, you need to collect mid-stream urine only (meaning you don't collect the first and last part of urine that comes out), using your hands as little as possible. If you still find yourself accidentally contaminating samples, make sure to check with a doctor for more precise instructions.
Conclusion
Mixed urogenital flora can arise from three causes: overgrowth of multiple bacteria, the natural balance of your urogenital microorganisms, and sample contamination. While a mixed urogenital flora test result usually doesn't indicate something serious, it's best to seek a doctor's advice to ensure you're not at risk of developing infections like UTI.
Key facts
- Mixed urogenital flora is a common result of urine cultures.
- Many types of bacteria are present around the urethra, genitals, and anus, and they can be detected in urine tests.
- Having mixed urogenital flora doesn't mean you have an infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mixed urogenital flora?
A test result that shows mixed urogenital flora doesn't automatically mean you have a UTI or other infection. The area around the urethra, genitals, and anus is always populated by a wide variety of bacteria, or flora. Those bacteria can show up in urine tests.
Does mixed urogenital flora mean I have a UTI?
The flora is typically a balanced mix of beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria. If the different types are balanced, the "good" bacteria prevent the "bad" bacteria from causing problems. A finding of mixed urogenital flora is normal if you don't have accompanying symptoms of infection.
While an overgrowth of some of these bacteria can lead to infections, their presence is not necessarily a sign of a UTI. If you don't have symptoms of a UTI or other infection, then the bacteria in your urogenital area are unlikely to cause health problems.
What is the normal range for mixed urogenital flora?
A normal bacterial count is typically less than 10,000 CFU/mL of any single type of bacteria. Having multiple kinds of bacteria present is normal, and if the count for each type is under the 10,000 CFU/mL, that is not an indication of infection. If one particular bacteria type has a higher-than-normal count, that can indicate an infection.
How to treat mixed urogenital flora?
If you don't have an active UTI or other type of infection, you don't need any medicine to manage mixed urogenital flora. If you have an infection, your doctor can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic.
Can I prevent infections from mixed urogenital flora?
If harmful bacteria get into the urinary tract and proliferate there, they can cause infection. You can reduce the chance of urogenital flora moving into the urinary tract and causing infection by using appropriate hygiene measures:
- Wash your genital area with mild soap and warm water.
- Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
- Wash your hands before replacing menstrual products such as tampons and pads.
- Empty your bladder completely when you urinate.
- Urinate after sexual contact.
- Wear clean underwear made of breathable fabrics.
- Drink plenty of water.
