Excessive urination after riding

Hi all, the site is great and I am learning from all of you!

I have noticed that after I return from rides I often have a strange urination pattern, that involves feeling the need to urinate, but not having--well--enough to justify the feeling! It also involves frequent urination, maybe once an hour or more in the beginning.

The rides are usually 80-100 km, and about 4 hours. I definitely drink enough on rides--much more than my riding partners do. When I first come home, my urine is quite yellow, but after that it is a normal color despite the frequency.

This lasts for about 24 hours after a ride. Has anyone else experienced this? Another woman rider mentioned something to me about irritation of the urethra that causes this...any truth to this? It is a very weird feeling and I would like to know if it's normal.

Thanks!

Yes, it sounds like you are irritating your urethral opening. A saddle change or bike position change may be in order. I use a saddle with a cutout (Terry Butterfly) and do not have this problem at all. If your saddle does not have a cutout, you might want to try one that does.

Or, if you are putting too much weight on your handlebars this could be contributing. The proper weight distribution is supposed be about 60% rear/ 40% front, though that is a bit hard to measure! Perhaps you are a bit too stretched out in front (too long a stem?) Do you use aerobars?

Emily

What you're experiencing sounds similar to a UTI, but luckily, yours isn't lasting. I would talk to your doctor about it, maybe even do some research to find a physician who cycles.

Do try changing your seat and getting a professional fit on your bike and don't be afraid to ask about the problem at your LBS. I know that can be um, uncomfortable, but the guys at my shop have no qualms talking to whomever about whatever problem and they'd never repeat it. ...Of course I work there, too, so it's a little different and I don't know if I'd willingly waltze into another shop and ask that question...
Specialized just came out with a "revolutionary" men's specific saddle that significantly improves penile blood loss while riding and they're currently working on making a women's saddle that performs a similar function. (I've spoken with the rep, he's promised me that they're doing all they can.) Something to look forward to in the future I guess...
By the way, that saddle is hideous. It's the most phallic thing I've ever seen. My boyfriend thinks it's comfy, but he won't be caught dead with it on his bike.

Hope you get things worked out. Don't let that continue. That's the most important thing.

a.f.

Thanks very much to both of you--On your advice, I will try a seat with a cutout. I doubt that the 60/40 split or that stem length is the problem because I have actually been on a small bike, a little too small for me even (sin! I am getting a new bike ASAP).

Went out today for 100k, mostly flats and rolling ascents, and the urination after I got home wasn't as frequent as it was last time, or perhaps just, as I had imagined! Anyway, thanks, and I'll update the site on the results.