recurring UTIs

[MoBugs]

Really great information! I've had a re-occurring bladder infection (3 times) in 8 months. I talked with my doctor, she's not an antibiotic pusher and neither am I, but we both thought this would be the best way. I think I got it from my riding shorts. I washed them with hot eater, but they were 6-10 years old and they should have been replaced a long time ago. I need to stay cleaner when I commute to work. I'm off the bike for a week, I can wait to get back on the saddle! Thank everyone!

[antimony]

More thread resurrection -- anyone who's dealt with this intermittently rather than all the time, what does/doesn't make a ride cause UTIs for you? I have only had mild symptoms of one a couple of times until this past weekend, when one derailed a 1000k brevet 400k in. (It definitely started within the first 200k, and I had no problems on multiple 200ks, multiple 300ks, a 400k, and a 600k this season at all; the only previous little inklings of ones were in previous years.)

My working theories are two: heat/humidity and the point in my cycle (PMS-y and expecting to start my period some time within the next 0-48 hours). Unfortunately, I can't control those, so I can't easily experiment to figure out what to change next time.

[Crankin]

Maybe change your shorts after a certain distance on these long brevets? Bring wipes made for female anatomy? I know I have shorts that are lighter weight that I wear in hot weather; very compressive material seems to promote bacterial growth in hot/humid weather.

[antimony]

Maybe change your shorts after a certain distance on these long brevets? Bring wipes made for female anatomy? I know I have shorts that are lighter weight that I wear in hot weather; very compressive material seems to promote bacterial growth in hot/humid weather.

The weird part was that I was having symptoms after like 60 miles, when other times I'd been OK for 250. Changing shorts isn't impossible although I don't usually carry a bag big enough for a spare pair.

I'll start looking for more breathable ones; 200k is about my limit for fleece-only tri shorts because eventually I want a little padding, but something in between that and my terry bellas has to exist.

[rebeccaC]

I’d talk to a gynecologist or urologist about it!! I use cranberry juice and especially the lactobacillus in probiotics with its good bacteria in my regular diet. That helps me. For a few days before a long ride drinking LOTS of water to induce more frequent urination helps to flush out and mitigate infection too. If post-menopausal again talk to a gyn or urologist about low-dose vaginal estrogen cream.
For a chamois those with a bacteriostatic layer helps too. Castelli’s progetto X2 air donna chamois works really well for me especially on long hard rides.

hoping you find a good solution antimony!!!!!

[north woods gal]

UTIs have been an issue for me, once the weather warmed up in the spring and through the summer, prior to my accident. Still an issue, now and then, during my recovery because I walk, everyday, and do a workout on the indoor trainer.

I know this solution I've found will cause some to gasp in disbelief, but one thing I found that has helped is to ... stop wearing padded bike shorts. For me, that hot and sweaty environment caused by the padding and no ventilation of the typical bike short was my undoing. Really hard to fight off an infection with that working against me. My solution has been to use well-ventilated, light and loose polyester exercise shorts I found at Walnut-mart. I know wearing bike shorts is a scared cow among the faithful, but I absolutely don't miss padded bike shorts tor need them. Too constricting, anyway. Maybe I've just spent so many hours on a bike that I am now immune to being sore from riding, kind of like a cowgirl who has spent a lifetime in a saddle. Have also been riding long enough to know what is and what is not proper seat adjustment, so I can avoid chaffing and sores. No, I'm not recommending anyone ditch their expensive bike shorts, but it's now one less thing I need for my bicycling and I don't miss them at all. My padded bike shorts are now in mothballs, right along with all my fancy SPD bike shoes. Yeah, old rebel without a clue, me.

[antimony]

I know this solution I've found will cause some to gasp in disbelief, but one thing I found that has helped is to ... stop wearing padded bike shorts. For me, that hot and sweaty environment caused by the padding and no ventilation of the typical bike short was my undoing. Really hard to fight off an infection with that working against me. My solution has been to use well-ventilated, light and loose polyester exercise shorts I found at Walnut-mart.

I like tri-shorts for rides 200k and under, but eventually I think I want a little padding. I'll have to try a 300k that isn't an important one in tri-shorts some time. It hasn't bothered me (at least not to this extent) before.

Anyone have any recommendations for shorts that have more than just fleece but breathe? (I'll look into the Castellis, although IIRC their XL is a little too snug on me. (Terry XL fits me great.) I've also had leather saddles recommended, but I really try to avoid leather. (Though I might be playing saddle roulette anyway; the underside edge of my saddle was annoying me as well, although that might have been because I was sitting differently to keep pressure on my bladder down.)