preventing Bladder Infections

[Chimiska]

I am a casual "comfort bike" rider. And I found that my last 2 rides lead to grief (bladder infections). I tend to ride for a half a hour. Maybe when I get in better shape, an hour. I am a "little old lady" but I like to ride my bike.

Any one have any experience in how to prevent infections? My butt is NOT sore after I ride.

[Triskeliongirl]

You probably have too much urethral/soft tissue pressure. You either need a different saddle, or to play with the saddle adjustment to relieve urethral pressure (fore/aft position, angle, etc). Your weight should be supported on your sit bones, not soft tissues. Also, it should go without saying that good hygiene is important, always wear a fresh clean pair of padded cycling shorts, no underwear, and change out of them quickly after riding.

[Dianyla]

Seconding the recommendation to try a different saddle, maybe one with a cutout. I have had UTI-like symptoms for a few hours after riding with this one awful saddle I used to have. It wasn't a true bacterial infection, but it was definitely irritated, burning and uncomfortable. :eek:

Also, avoiding refined sugars, staying very well hydrated, and drinking unsweetened cranberry juice can help a lot to prevent these nasty events from happening. :)

[Thorn]

I totally agree with the previous response regarding saddle, saddle position, clean shorts, etc. Consider saddles with cutouts, as well. Wash your shorts in hot water to make sure they are really, really clean (cold water won't kill the bacteria that likes to live there). Avoid fabric softeners and soaps with perfumes--particularly with cycling gear as they can cause irritations that provide a weak spot for bacteria to exploit.

But, alas, some of us will always be more susceptible to bladder infections than others, no matter what we do. If you aren't already a cranberry juice addict, consider that with every bike ride should be 8 oz of cranberry juice. Cranberry juice has been shown to set up an environment in the bladder that prevents bacteria from hanging around and causing the dreaded bladder infection.

[Chimiska]

Thank you one and all for your suggestions. My infection really was an infection: it cultured out. The second one could have been a left over from the first, inproperly treated, one.

I have a problem with cranberry juice: it makes me sick. Maybe if I drank small quantities of it, I could get used to it. And lots more water.

I have a cut out saddle to try, and have cycling shorts on order. I sure hope something works.

As you get old, none of your parts work very well any more. I have in the past ridden 50 miles on a Brooks leather saddle. Now that hurt, but no infections! And that is part of my glorious past.

[Thorn]

I'm not really fond of cranberry juice (I drink it as medicine), but I can't imagine getting rid of a bladder infection without it. I feel bad for you.

When the white cranberry juices came out (I can tolerate some of the mixed flavors of white juice better), I did a bunch of research to see if the white cranberry juice had the same effect--it does. It turns out that blueberries also have the same effect; although I don't think I've ever seen anyone mass produce blueberry juice (big pieces of blueberry pie, perhaps? :-) :-) )

[maillotpois]

There are also those capsules which have the cranberry "stuff" in them - taking those with a LOT of water seems to have the same helpful effect if you don't like the juice.

[Grog]

Sorry about your infection :( They are so painful.

I have read a few times of bladder infections that happened to people who had a removable gel pad for their seat (and/or used such a pad for spinning). I'm not sure if that makes sense but it was a plausible hypothesis. This does not seem to be your case, but others might find that bit of info useful...

Good luck!!

[mtbdarby]

I second taking the cranberry tablets - works like a charm. Good luck with this, I know how cruddy these little buggers can be.

[Triskeliongirl]

I have a cut out saddle to try, and have cycling shorts on order. I sure hope something works. As you get old, none of your parts work very well any more. I have in the past ridden 50 miles on a Brooks leather saddle. Now that hurt, but no infections! And that is part of my glorious past.

I did use a cut out for this reason, but then ran into chafing problems around the cut-out, so for me the best solution was a brooks saddle that I tilt down slightly to relieve urethral pressure (when I say tilt down the nose is level but the rear is higher than the nose). I find it is very comfortable and doesn't cause either chafing or UTIs. Also, you say you are older. I find using an estrgen vaginal cream regularly helps (if you aren't on oral estrogens), as does chamois butter. As we age our tissues do get thinner and more fragile.

[Cassandra_Cain]

.... I find using an estrgen vaginal cream regularly helps (if you aren't on oral estrogens)....

Yeap, even some of us that are relatively young (does 30's still count as young? :) ) benefit from these same remedies. The estrogen cream, cranberry juice, a good saddle, and proper bike fit will get you 90% of the way there at least.

Ugggh, UTI's, I had one last christmas which made for a rather forgettable few days! :eek:

[light_sabe_r]

There are also those capsules which have the cranberry "stuff" in them - taking those with a LOT of water seems to have the same helpful effect if you don't like the juice.

I also reccommend this!! I had six months of full blown UTIs earlier this year After three months of chronic infection, she put on long term anti-biotics and reccommendded I supplement them with the cranberry tablets.

I'm on a 15000mg (extra strength) Blackmores cranberry capsule now. 3 per day since I came off the anti-biotics in Septemeber and I haven't had a UTI since.

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi, when I was in my 20s and biked a lot, I suffered from severe bladder infections also. I am now in my early 50s. I learned to always be sipping on liquid, and for me that is water or hot tea, and that keeps the bladder flushed out. If I get dehydrated, the infection will come back, like if I get real sick with a flu. I eat berries every single day.

As for the cranberries, mix it up and make cranberries and blueberries a part of your daily diet, and don't depend on just a pill. For example, cranberry juice is tasty mixed with diet 7-Up or diet Sprite. Use dried cranberries and blueberries and cherries and add it to the hollow of the acorn squash when baking, with maybe a splash of orange juice and a bit of butter or diet margarine, depending upon your calorie intake and/or cholesterol level. Use fresh and dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries to make muffins and quick breads. Add the dried or fresh berries to your salads. Make a stewed fruit dish, that tastes good both hot and cold, of pears, apples, and the dried or fresh berries, and this type of dish can be cooked quickly in the microwave.

Cranberries are fresh in the grocery store right now. Buy a whole bunch of packages and stick them in the freezer.

Remember that the berries are high in anti-oxidants. Not only that, recent research believes that cranberries and blueberries may assist in making insulin more sensitive, thus lowering blood sugar for those who may be diabetic. The cherries are thought to possess anti-imflammatory properties, along with aiding in insulin sensitivity, for those who may have chronic imflammation such as arthritis.

Darcy

[maillotpois]

This may not be an issue, but I was also suffering from chronic bladder infections (at least every 1 - 2 months) for most of the last 2 years. I drink a lot of water and it wasn't (for me) related to cycling. The cranberry pills helped a lot - but the infections would still come back. My internist suggested my IUD may be an issue - there was some study about it possibly changing the "environment" down there, even though it is in a totally different place. And it was at the 10 year mark anyway, so about time to take it out. My OB-Gyn said that was ridiculous and it couldn't possibly be the cause, but I decided to have her take it out anyway. I had it taken out in January and I haven't had a problem with bladder infections since!



Of course, that stupid nuvaring I was given as my "new" birth control gave me pulmonary emboli. You just can't win sometimes... :rolleyes:

[Chimiska]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and input. I am taking notes like mad, and will make a trip to the grocery to see what I can find, and what I can tolerate. Maybe I just had a bad day when the cranberry juice made me sick: and of course, I drank a LOT all at once trying to fight off an impending infection. I need to hunt for the cranberry pills. Never heard of them.

I am trying adjustments on my saddle too. I sure hope something works. I use that bike for transportation to meetings around our community. (A retirement-countryclub type place).

There should be a removable chamois that can be taken out and practically boiled and washed each and every day.

:)

[SouthernBelle]

I have seen undies with chamois in catalogues. I think in Colorado Cyclist???

[Chimiska]

Thanks Susan. I will check it out.

[bikerchic]

I want to offer my sincere sympathies to you as I have had many bouts of bladder infections and know full well the pain involved, ouch!:eek:

I keep mine at bay with an old home remedy when ever I feel that familiar feeling of pressure or needing to pee a lot and no flow....:( I reach for apple cider vinegar. 1 tsp per cup of "cold" water down the hatch three times a day and I have yet to get to full blown stage where I have to seek medical help.

Try it, won't hurt although it does burn your throat going down but it's really good stuff to keep your body in balance with all those good bacteria thingies.

Happy pedaling.

Kate

[Chimiska]

Kate, that is an interesting home remedy or preventative. I will have to look into that. Cranberry Juice has given me a migraine in the past. Maybe I can do vinegar. Worth a try!:)

[bikerchic]

GALLONS of cranberry juice to get the active ingredient which helps fight the infection, from what I've been told about the cranberry thing. With the apple cider vinegar it's pretty effective immediately. It has something to do with putting your body PH back in harmony. I don't know all the particulars just know that for me it works! I hope it works for you as well Chimiska.

Cheers!

Kate

[Geonz]

I can't do cranberry juice (or tea or a fairly long list of things, probably pH related) on an empty stomach without it bouncing back up ... but on a bagel all is peachy.

[Meaux]

I feel for you. For a while, I was getting one at least once a month, and they would escalate into kidney infections very quickly. My doctor used to call me the Crown Princess of Bladder Infections (affectionately, I've been going to see him for nearly 15 years now). I quit drinking caffeine almost altogether and things have straightened up. I did think of something that might help though, I've been drinking a lot of that Emergen-C stuff that they make to help your immune system, and I got the cranberry flavor. I noticed it has a good amount of cranberry powder and the vitamin C has kept the yeast infections away! (I heard somewhere that vitamin C raises the acidity level in the body and makes the environment very uncomfortable for those yeast-y little buggers! It's worked for me.) Maybe drinking a serving or two of that will help. It's done wonders for me!!

[KnottedYet]

I do the apple cider vinegar with equal part honey. (1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp honey) In hot or cold water, depending on the day and my mood...:D

It's actually pretty yummy that way!

[bikerchic]

I do the apple cider vinegar with equal part honey. (1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp honey) In hot or cold water, depending on the day and my mood...

It's actually pretty yummy that way!


Great idea! My Mom used to give us hot totties with whiskey, lemon and honey when we were sick, cheap cough medicine in those days!

I also got to thinking that they make Apple Cider Vinegar capsules you can buy at the health food store I'm just not sure if they would work like drinking the real thing? I'll do some research on it because that sounds like a better way of taking the vinegar for me as the honey would be overkill on the sugar intake (for me).

[Chimiska]

Thank you one and all! I am reading it all with great interest. I thought this problem was just a Little Old Lady problem. Apparently it is more common that I first thought.

I will try some of the suggestions. Again, Thanks.

[Trekhawk]

I keep mine at bay with an old home remedy when ever I feel that familiar feeling of pressure or needing to pee a lot and no flow....:( I reach for apple cider vinegar. 1 tsp per cup of "cold" water down the hatch three times a day and I have yet to get to full blown stage where I have to seek medical help.

Kate

I like Cider Vinegar with honey and hot water. A few people I know use Cider Vinegar to help with Arthritis pain but be warned it can have a corrosive effect on teeth.

[ChickWithBrains]

My two cents:

Cranberries are yummy and if you like them and they help you, great! Most research has shown that European species have more anti-effective properties than american ones, and the key seems to be more in the increased fluid intake than the cranberries themselves. Stay well hydrated and flush out that bladder frequently!

Urethritis is the real discomfort you feel. Whether it's a bacterial infection, chemical irritaiton (if you use ButtPaste or another anti-chafing cream, or if your diet is heavy in caffeine or spicy foods), or direct friction, it can hurt like heck. Sounds like yours was from the bacteria. Research has NOT borne out that exterior clothing impacts UTIs (but it really does for yeast infections). That being said, using proper riding shorts with a chamois with antibacterial properties can't hurt and certainly might help. The padding from the chamois may also help prevent direct trauma to the spot that hurts (and may be allowing normal local bugs in where they shouldn't be). Using a seat with good anatomy for your body may also help.

You may fall into the category of women who simply develop UTIs after specific activities. The classic one is women who get them after having sex. Prophylaxis in the form of one antibiotic pill after sex has worked wonders for many of these women. If you develop this sort of problem after every ride and have a well documented track record, finding a doc willing to help you out with a per-instance prescription for Septra may be what you need (should other more conservative measures fail).

I hope you find a good solution and keep riding!

--Lisa (who, despite actually being an MD, doesn't intend for this post to constitute direct medical advice -- because you're not my patient, I'm not your doc, but I'd like to help out other biking women as much as this media allows! :p)

[Duck on Wheels]

...You may fall into the category of women who simply develop UTIs after specific activities. The classic one is women who get them after having sex. Prophylaxis in the form of one antibiotic pill after sex has worked wonders for many of these women. If you develop this sort of problem after every ride and have a well documented track record, finding a doc willing to help you out with a per-instance prescription for Septra may be what you need (should other more conservative measures fail).

I hope you find a good solution and keep riding!

Ah yes, that would be my category. The best profylaxis in my case proved to be taking a quick pee after intercourse. :rolleyes: So much simpler than antibiotics, and so much less risk of developing antibiotic-resistent bacteria.

That cause taken care of, my more recent UTIs have all been post-surgical (due to catheter). And every GD time the staff won't believe me that I know the symptoms, so I have to wait three days while they first requisition a test, then do a culture, then another day for me to remind them that I'm allergic to sulfa and penicillin so they get my prescription changed, then finally I can get some relief. Sigh. Maybe that's why I'm resisting having further surgery.

Luckily, I don't seem to get UTIs from cycling. I do sometimes have some irritation in the area, but the symptoms are not quite the same. Burning sensation, yes, but strong urge to pee right after doing so, no. If you're having both those symptoms, I sympathize. Lots of fluids should help some. Acidic fluids (like lemonade, oj, tea, cranberry juice) should help a bit more. And, as Lisa says, try to find an M.D. you can see every time and build a mutually trusting relationship with about this. Once the doctor knows you know the symptoms, and knows what your UTIs tend to respond to, maybe you can get set up with some meds you can start on your own when a UTI strikes.

[cosc]

I know everyone's taste buds are different but I really like cranberry juice deleted w/ water and chilled. So refreshing. Cranberry juice can be bitter by itself. Good drink while biking too.

[Kitsune06]

I used to be extremely prone to UTIs, but mine seemed more sexually related than riding-related. I'd say TMI, but nothing's sacred here. ;) :rolleyes: Anyway...
Drink lots. Pee before and after sex and/or anything that will irritate the urethra. Cranberry juice and extracts are great, as well. I keep a box of Azo w/ cranberry on hand just in case. it's an analgesic. Won't stop an infection but will ease the pain if it's just irritation or will help you get by until you can see a dr.
If you're not peeing pale, you're not drinking enough.

Also.
Something that helps for whatever reason, is soaking in a mild seasalt hot bath. I'm thinking it might be the effect of the warm saline, soothing the mucous membranes and possibly affecting the bacteria, but who knows. If you're about ready to die and need to try anything, that will help.

[CycleSeashore]

I can't tell you how much better I feel just reading these posts! I am also a UTI sufferer. I didn't know there were so many of us (from all age groups) and so many cyclists too. Cycling doesn't seem to be the cause of my problem, but I'm glad that the new saddle I bought happens to have the cut-out!:)

I'm in the group that takes the cranberry capsules. Most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc) have a store brand and then they sell name brands like Nature's Way. I take a couple of those every morning, and a few extra during the day if things don't feel quite right. The main problem I have is not taking in enough fluids...if I get busy I put off visiting the ladies'. The more liquid you drink, the more you, um, process out, and the better off you are. :o

I wish that all bike routes had handy facilities...sometimes I just deal and go into the Dunkin Donuts tights and all rather than suffer the pain later. :) :) Thanks for all of your sharing on the subject!

[surgtech1956]

Glad I found this thread. I'm just getting over a UTI - menopause - tissues thinner, saddle rubbing. I was not a water drinker - toooooo much soda. Now drinking lotssss of water, maybe a soda every other day. Readjusted my saddle(Trek 7100 hybrid). I had cranberry juice in the house - but just 27%. Do you think the cranberry pills are sufficient or just drink a glass of cranberry juice daily - my internist said just drink water that I don't need the extra calories(she's a sweetheart:mad: ). I might get a new saddle - I was looking at the ones with the cut-outs. Another thing I'm not wearing cycling shorts - I'm a bigger gal - I'm only riding about an hour to 1 1/2 hours a day.

[margo49]

Dunno how I missed this thread in Real Time...
I love cranberry ( or anything sour) but I have also had success with a bunch of fresh parsley (flat leaf but I imagine curly would be fine too ) simmered in a quart of water for 15 min. Drink when it has cooled (obviously) as quickly as possible (if not all at once).
It also works with nettle tea (but you have to use fresh nettles).
Both of these taken at the very first sign. Which you get good a recognising after a few bouts as we all know.

[dgmdvm]

If you learn to ride on your butt bones (ischial tuburosities) it will help the urethra (the tube connecting your bladder to the outside body). Infections usually start by ascending up the urethra to the bladder. That doesn't mean the infections are caused by biking. Riding on your butt bones will also improve your performance. I suggest a "training lesson". You need to keep your upper back straight, but rotate your hips forward. Do not ride on your pubic bones. Take those hot bike shorts or biking underwear off right after you ride. Urinate frequently when you ride. If you don't need to go after a ride, force it out. A UTI is not UTI until a culture collectd by a catheter or directly from the bladder by needle, grows pathogenic bacteria

In general for UTIs, wipe from front to back. Drink lots of water. Wear cotton underwear, thigh highs not pantyhose, and loose cotton clothes as aften as possible. Urinate after sex. And...Don't stop riding. Its good for you.

[tangentgirl]

Trader Joes sells blueberry juice, and it's not half bad.

[La Victoria]

Dear Chimiska,
Your bladder infections might be the natural consequence of aging. As a woman ages the mucous membranes that line the vagina and urethra thin out a bit and can make you a little more vulnerable to infections. You might consider having a chat with your gynecologist or nurse practitioner about this. I also had this problem and my gyn recommended an Estring device. This is an intra-vaginal plastic ring that contains a very small amount of estrogen that leeches out and helps maintain the integrity of the membranes in this area. It stopped the infections and helped ease some other menopause related problems.

The other remedy, as several others have pointed out, might be the saddle you are using. You may have to experiment with either different types or different adjustments. A good bike shop will help you with this.
Good Luck,
La V.