preventing Bladder Infections

[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.