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.

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!!

[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!

[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.