bladder issues/problems

Hi - Does anyone have bladder problems while out on long distance rides?

My problem seems to be frequent urge to urinate which includes bladder pain of having to go. I drink plenty of water, and stop to use the restroom when stops are available.

I have gone to the doctor and do not have urinatary tract infection. I have not always had this problem, last year it happened on only one ride, seems like lately the problem is more frequent.

Does anyone else have this problem, what do you?

Thanks for your help.

When you say you have a frequent urge, does that mean you actually do have to pee or do you just feel like you have to pee? How much water are drinking? Do you have any issues when you're off the bike? Is your saddle otherwise comfortable both for your butt and genitals? How old is it and is it level? Have you ever suffered from frequent UTIs?
What about yeast infections? They can make you feel the urge to pee, too?

I went through a period a couple of years ago when I had frequent UTIs. I finally saw a urologist. One of the tests he did on me was to check that my bladder was fully emptying when I did go to the bathroom. You might see a urologist for the same test.

There are a lot of things that might cause it, but if it only happens on long rides, I'd guess you aren't getting enough electrolytes. The more plain water you drink, the more your kidneys try to rid themselves of it to keep adequate electrolytes in your blood.

Do you use a sports drink, Endurolytes or similar - or make sure to eat plenty of salty snacks - when you're on long rides?

I am not a doctor, etc., etc....

Irritation to the opening of the urethra can cause a desperate urge to pee, also.
If the irritation gets intense, it can cause the bladder to spasm.

Is your chamois folding or bunching up? Is the chamois too thick? Is there too much padding with the saddle/chamois combo, so that it begins to irritate on longer rides? Are your shorts too small? Is the waist of your shorts too low cut (dragging the shorts upward as you ride)? Are you tilting your pelvis too far forward as rides get longer? Did you raise your saddle or lower your bars? Did you get a new saddle? Does your saddle fit properly?

If it continues to happen on rides, it might be a good idea to contact the doctor again and get cleared to see a pelvic physical therapist. Most of them also do sports med, which would be a good combination. If it starts to happen in situations other than rides, your doctor would probably send you to a urologist.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

When you say you have a frequent urge, does that mean you actually do have to pee or do you just feel like you have to pee? How much water are drinking? Do you have any issues when you're off the bike? Is your saddle otherwise comfortable both for your butt and genitals? How old is it and is it level? Have you ever suffered from frequent UTIs?
What about yeast infections? They can make you feel the urge to pee, too?

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Frequent urges - Yes, I do actually pee when I have the urge to. When I am done, sometimes I will still have the urge. I have waited, and have peed a little more but the urge will still be there when I done. I think that is the most frustrating part for me.

Issues off my bike - Not really. If I have had problems on my ride, the rest of my day is about the same.

My saddle - is comfortable, I have been riding it for about 1 - 1 1/2 yrs.
By Level - do you mean totaly straight? I don't ride with my saddle straight, it is tilted down just slightly, not much.

UTI's - I have not had many UTI's - however they do run in both sides of my family.

Yeast infections - I have had problems with yeast infections many, many years ago but I have not had any for years.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

There are a lot of things that might cause it, but if it only happens on long rides, I'd guess you aren't getting enough electrolytes. The more plain water you drink, the more your kidneys try to rid themselves of it to keep adequate electrolytes in your blood.

Do you use a sports drink, Endurolytes or similar - or make sure to eat plenty of salty snacks - when you're on long rides?

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I guess I never really thought about electrolytes being an issue. I do drink lots of water, I would probably say I drink at least 1 1/2 bottle to 2 bottles on a 30 + mile ride, the hottier is the more I drink. I am sure there have been times when I have not drank enough.

I use electrolyte drops, and add them to whatever sports drink I am drinking (heed, or gaterade), if I am not drinking a sports drink I will just add it to my water.

I know throughout the day I do not drink the proper amount of water, I'd say I proably average 2 cups of coffee, 4 cups of water - on a good day.

I will try the salty snacks.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Is your chamois folding or bunching up? Is the chamois too thick? Is there too much padding with the saddle/chamois combo, so that it begins to irritate on longer rides? Are your shorts too small? Is the waist of your shorts too low cut (dragging the shorts upward as you ride)? Are you tilting your pelvis too far forward as rides get longer? Did you raise your saddle or lower your bars? Did you get a new saddle? Does your saddle fit properly?

If it continues to happen on rides, it might be a good idea to contact the doctor again and get cleared to see a pelvic physical therapist. Most of them also do sports med, which would be a good combination. If it starts to happen in situations other than rides, your doctor would probably send you to a urologist.

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Chamois - I do have a few pair of shorts that the chamois is big, and too thick, I usually only wear those at home when I ride my trainer, or I might wear them on a shorter ride 20-25 miles but nothing more. I have my favorite shorts to wear on longer rides and I stick with them.

Short size - My short size is fine, Shorts that are to small are not comfortable.

Tilting my pelvis - I could be tilting my pelvis forward, I know when I start to get tired some of the more important things you do on rides - tend to easily forgotten and I probably don't even notice.

Saddle - I have been riding the same saddle for over a year. My first saddle was a BG dolce with the middle cut out. It was very comfortable until I was fitted to my bike. I then bought a Italia Selle SLK womens saddle. I find the saddle to be comfortable, there is no cut out in it. But my girl parts are just fine, they don't go numb, etc....

Could weight be an issue? I have probably put on 25 + pounds.

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Originally Posted by ibike2

Could weight be an issue? I have probably put on 25 + pounds.

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Absolutely.

You've gained 25+ pounds, and now your favorite shorts are a size too small and are dragging up into contact with your urethral opening as you ride.

Buy a size larger of your favorite shorts that you only wear for long rides, and see if that helps the problem you are experiencing on your long rides.

ETA: If your favorite shorts are no longer made, call the folks at Team Estrogen and ask them for help finding them. The name could have changed or something like that. They know everything about the stuff they carry, and are great at helping over the phone!

Does your saddle have a cut-out. I found as I got older, that I would get urethral irritiation on my brooks finesse saddle and switching to a selle italia diva gel flow took care of the problem.