preventing Bladder Infections

[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...

[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!

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

[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! )

[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. 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.

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 ). 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.

[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.