Anyone have bladder problems due to biking

I went on a 21 mile bike ride the other day with my girlfriends and was unable to urinate for over 6 hours even though I was taking on quite a lot of fluids. I became extremely uncomfortable and was unable to continue. I took some of that over the counter urinary analgesic (phenazopyridine) when I got home as well as some Motrin and was able to urinate a little later. Otherwise it would have been a trip to the emergency room. I've had problems "emptying my bladder" before, but nothing at all like this. I went to the ob/gyn the next day and may have a "neurogenic bladder". They think this is from the biking. Uuuugh. I do have a special seat with a relief channel etc. on my normal bike, but I was riding my old bike that day and it did not have a comfortable seat. Still, I can't believe it caused all of this. Anyone else have anything like this ever happen to them? Any advice. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Interesting problem.

Usually when I ride, I don't have to urinate for hours, even if taking in alot of liquids. I sweat alot and I think no matter how much I drink, I always get alittle dehydrated. If I start a ride at 9 am it's not unusal for me to go to about 3 - 4 in the afternoon before having to use the restroom. But I don't have the discomfort you experienced. Something you should definiately discuss with your doctors!

I showed your post to a board certified urologist. His initial comment was he didn't believe riding a bike could cause you not to urinate. Your bicycle seat doesn't affect your urination functions. He also said that not going for six hours would not necesarrily be abnormal, but if you felt you had to urinate and could not, then that could be a problem.

He suggests you see a urologist if you are unable to urinate when have the sensation you need to urinate, then you try to urinate but then can't.

His questions, if you care to answer, were how old are you, do you have any bowel problems and/or any problems with muscle control or loss of sensation?

Hopefully your question has already been answered.

Dear BeeLady: Gee, thanks for showing to a board certified urologist. I'm 44 years old and do not have any loss of muscle control or sensation. On the day of the problem, it wasn't hot, I didn't sweat that much and yes, I had the need and sensation to urinate but could not. They put me on macrodantin and I was to go back the next day if the emptying didn't improve. It did improve (but not yet 100%), so I have not yet gone back to the MD. As far as GI problems, yes, I do have GI problems. I had an appendectomy and right colon resection (12 inches of colon removed) in 1999. But, I've never had any bowel/bladder problems since I have been actively biking for 2 years. Sunday was the first problem.

Hi,

I'll give the info to the urologist later today. You might want to make an appointment with a urologist in your area as I have a feeling that's what my DH will recommend. He did say he thought a urologist would be better to treat the condition than an ob/gyn. But I'll get back to you either as a reply or in a PM this evening.

I'm glad that from your initial post he didn't think cycling was causing the problem -- so ride on!

Actually, I have had a similar problem caused by a bad saddle. I got so inflamed down there that my urinary tract was constricted for a few hours and I could only get it going when my bladder got so full that it finally overcame the resistance. If you also have crotchal numbness and burning/tingling, then you could be having some nerve compression caused by saddle ergonomics.

I now use a saddle with a cutout and life is better. :)

Hi Boxer,

I showed the urologist your reply. His response was you should see a urologist. He does not know if you were given the antibiotic (macrodantin) due to a bladder infection or for some other reason, but a bladder infection would not usually cause the problems you described either.

He doesn't believe a bicycle seat or inflammation caused by a bike seat would cause the problems you are describing. So if the symptons continue please see a urologist.

Lauren here:
Sorry I couldn't be of more help but hopefully the problem will resolve on its own.

I agree that you need to see a doctor and/or a specialist.

The only time I've heard of someone needing to urinate and being unable to, the man was diagnosed with diabetes.

Please get everything checked out and explore every possibility. You're not back to normal yet, so do follow up!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. I will make an appt with a urologist sometime soon. You're the best and thanks again....:)

Please post what happens! I am curiouse as to your out come.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

It sounds rather urgent:)

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I'm sure she managed to "go" sometime in the last 5+ years...

Also, whatever saddle she had is probably long since discontinued.

I am having the same problem, but, after reading these posts, can see that it isn't unusual. I believe the area becomes "swollen" causing constricted blood vessels. I'm surprised urologists can't figure this out and "mention" it as a possibility. I am anxious to hear what the urologist said after your visit.

Considering the original post was about 7 years ago it's doubtful that the OP will come back to tell you….

Yes, that person is long gone.
I often don't have to go for hours after a ride or during a ride. I don't have the urge... it feels weird to not have to go when everyone is racing for the bathroom, but eventually, I go.