You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I wasnt sure if i should share this with a group of strangers, but then on these subjects i know STW can be a hive of knowledge and advice. so here goes....
On longer rides, mostly when on my gravel/road bike, i quite often get a small amount of urine leakage. Leaving a wet spot on my shorts, usually around the size of a 50p. Somewhat embarrassing if wearing my faded black shorts, as it stands out!
It started a while ago, so my initial thought was a prostate problem, so went to my doctors, got fingered, gave blood and despite it being marginally inflamed, all came back as clear. I did some research and found out that caffeine can affect the prostate, so whilst not a massive caffeine consumer, i changed to de-caff teabags, reduced drinks that contained it and it helped.
Now i am commuting to work, i spend an hour each way on the bike, always with the 50p of pee at the end of the ride. Even if i make a concerted effort to empty my bladder before i set off.
A few years ago i had my sit bones measured, so i believe my specialized phenom saddle is the right width. and it has a cut out. But am wondering if in the more bent over road bike position it is putting pressure on my bladder, combined with being seated for the most part.
It doesn't happen when mountain biking, which i put down to a more relaxed riding position and being in and out of the saddle constantly.
Has anyone else experienced or experiencing similar? Do you have a solution? At 41 years of age, i dont really like the fact i keep peeing myself!!!
As always, any feedback is appreciated!
The Phenom is designed as a MTB saddle. Changing that to something like a similarly-sized Toupe might help?
Just buy new black shorts!
I often get the thing where I'm taking a piss in my bib shorts and my bladder says 'That's it, totally empty' then as soon as I let my bib shorts ping back up it goes 'got you! here's another 50ml!'. I find Rapha black shorts don't show at all and it just evaporates off over the next 10km....
I just put it down to being in my 50s...
I often get the thing where I’m taking a piss in my bib shorts
Surely that just means you get an even covering of dampness rather than the 50p spot
@scotroutes - i didnt consider the discipline of my saddle. Looking at the Toupe it seems the channel is longer and deeper, which i assume could alleviate some pressure?
@footflaps - i have started wearing my bright red shorts now, as its almost impossible to see my pissypants! so maybe an investment in new shorts is all i need? 😀
@v7fmp - someone once explained it to me as you sit ON a MTB saddle, but ALONG a road saddle. As a broad brush statement I think that has some merit.
interesting.
i will definitely look into this more and try and change the saddle for something more 'road'.
cheers for the info 👍
You could try some pelvic floor exercises, sounds like you have a little bit of stress incontinence maybe (assuming no underlying medical issues).
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/what-are-pelvic-floor-exercises/
Ignore the women's health bit, the principle is exactly the same. IANAD but my Mrs is a specialist incontinence physiotherapist
Once I hit mid thirties no amount of shaking will get all the wee out of johnson, it will leak, its very annoying!
I do wonder if an alternative saddle or saddle height or saddle angle might help you here though, have you played with these?
@woody2000 - i did see a bit about pelvic floor exercise when doing some research, but was kinda put off by most of it being aimed at women, but if its same same, i will defo take a look.
@oikeith - glad i am not suffering alone! My saddle is probably the easiest variable to change or adjust. scotroutes did mention some alternatives to my current one, so i will take a look. But as you mention, height and angle are also definitely worth checking/adjusting.
I haven't had leakage, but did have a saddle which kept giving me an urgent need to pee - a Specialized Avatar. Never had that problem with any other saddle, before or since.
There's some pelvic floor exercises on the Prostate Cancer website for reducing this type of incontinence:
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/living-with-prostate-cancer/pelvic-floor-muscle-exercises
One of the post-op side effects of having your prostate removed is incontinence of one form or another and the above are the suggested exercises to improve your bladder control. The other thing you might consider are Tena pads for men which will alleviate the wet spot on your bib shorts.
Also look at some Pilates exercises which focus heavily on the pelvic and abdominal areas - I had been doing a couple of years of Pilates before having a prostatectomy at the back end of last year and I only had minimal issues with incontinence in the first few weeks after my op and now have no problems. I had bought some incontinence pads in preparation for post-op incontinence and only used one.
Hope this helps.
I have some similar issues. Recently started using the NHS "Squeezy for Men" app which reminds you to do pelvic floor exercises and gives you a timer. TBH I haven't noticed any improvement after 3 weeks of fairly consistent use, but maybe I'm expecting too much. Anyway, hopefully that would avoid the aimed at women issue.
I wouldn't worry about it, as long as you've had it checked out by the doctor!
When I had surgery last year to get rid of Trevor, my bowel cancer, I ended up with Squirty-Stan the stoma, for about 6 months. During that time I was advised to do a lot of pelvic exercises to keep myself 'toned-up' in preparation for the reversal operation that would give me back control.
The initial surgery actually messed with my bladder as well, so I was having a bit of leakage and even now, having a full bladder is very painful. The one exercise I was told to do that I think has really helped though is stopping mid-flow and starting again.
Try that.....after you've been to see your doctor!
B.
Well done for starting the thread on a delicate issue.
After having similar issues, I've had bloods done and been fingered, with no concerns found, and am now on meds to try and help the bladder issue. I'll give those exercises a try though - currently off work with stress/anxiety/depression, so stress incontinence may be a thing perhaps.
The stress in stress incontinence refers generally to a physical stress - laughing, coughing, pressure etc. But, no doubt mental state can play a part too, hope you get sorted MCTD 👍
The one exercise I was told to do that I think has really helped though is stopping mid-flow and starting again. sounds like a fun game. i will give that a try.
@MoreCashThanDash - sorry to hear you are having a tough time of it. Are the meds you are on for your bladder or prostate? I was offered prostate meds but decided not to take them as its not too bad and the side affects of the meds sounded worse than being a pissy pants!
I had something similar but not the same. Never truly diagnosed but think it was kidney stones that were irritating my pee tubes when sitting on a saddle. I changed to a Shimano Stealth saddle and the kidney stones passed some time later (oh the pain). It just started off as the pee thing though - the kidney stones came later.
Change saddle and drink lots of water. See what happens. You’ll definitely know if you have kidney stones if it gets to that.
I'm on Tamurex for my bladder - 4 weeks in and not sure how it's going - less urgency, less "need to go again" shortly after, but that 50p sized dribble is still passing me off (see what I did there?)
I have just shown this to my Urology Cancer Nurse Specialist wife and she says:
Caffeine affects the bladder not the prostate and that decaf can also have the same effect. Stick to water, squash or milk.
The leakage is probably caused post-micturition dribble and you need to 'milk your urethra' (do a google search)
She said she is happy to email you some information if you need it - PM me.
This can often me caused by a little scar tissue in your u bend which your piss exits out of your bladder into. The scar tissue can hold a little amount of urine, and then when you squeeze the area (....like bending over into a tuck position on the bike, and applying pressure) the pee can leak.
I had a telescope examination and it fixed my little leak. They stretch the tube when they are in there having a look, so that there no longer is a bottleneck.
Recommended to have a private consultation and see what you can have done to fix it. As it will take a thousand years on the NHS.
Alternatively, after you pass urine, press the area directly under your balls with two fingers, and bend yourself forwards, kinda squeezing with your pelvic muscles. See if you can make yourself leak a little bit - i used to be able to squeeze it out before leaving the bathroom!
I had a telescope examination and it fixed my little leak
I wold have thought a telescope was more suitable for looking up at your anus.
Josh,surely it's spelt Uranus ?
TBH, my bladder control is getting worse as I get older, 67 now, and I get urgency and a similar small leak on occasions, although not specifically bike related. I find cutting down on alcohol helps, sadly.
@eskay - ah yes, sorry, i meant bladder with regards to the caffeine. I totally get what your wife is saying, but counter it with.... a nice warm brew! But i should probably reduce my intake further, so taken on board. I appreciate the advice shared. Might ping you a DM shortly.
@joe - interesting! i will look into this further. cheers
Philby
Full Member
There’s some pelvic floor exercises on the Prostate Cancer website for reducing this type of incontinence:
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/living-with-prostate-cancer/pelvic-floor-muscle-exercises
One of the post-op side effects of having your prostate removed is incontinence of one form or another and the above are the suggested exercises to improve your bladder control. The other thing you might consider are Tena pads for men which will alleviate the wet spot on your bib shorts.Also look at some Pilates exercises which focus heavily on the pelvic and abdominal areas – I had been doing a couple of years of Pilates before having a prostatectomy at the back end of last year and I only had minimal issues with incontinence in the first few weeks after my op and now have no problems. I had bought some incontinence pads in preparation for post-op incontinence and only used one.
Hope this helps.
+1
On our semi regular karate club rides the "old men" (40+) all stop and piss against the same tree after about 45 minutes. Much to the amusement of the younger chaps in the group.
One day they too will have to piss against the "Prostate Tree".
just to add some further info, i dont have any issues passing urine (mostly, see below) and only get the light leakage on my gravel bike.
The only other issue i have is occasionally i will have a pee, finish, wash my hands, then need to go again, to get the last 10ml or so out.... very annoying!
but keep the info coming! 😀
On our semi regular karate club rides the “old men” (40+) all stop and piss against the same tree after about 45 minutes. Much to the amusement of the younger chaps in the group.
One day they too will have to piss against the “Prostate Tree”.
There's a mental image - theres a book in there somewhere "Angry (Off) White Pyjamas"
A local cycle club had a midweek ride frequented by older retired guys. I was warned to avoid it (this was 15-20 years ago) as they only covered 20 miles in a morning, with 2 cafe stops and someone then stopping at every tree or gate.
Can’t believe this wasn’t made thread of the weak (bladdered)
Won't cure the problem but for commuting you could go with more of an MTB fashion vibe and wear baggy shorts over your Lycra. Spot of wee on the Lycra is then hidden from view as they have become underpants. It also means you can use that embarassingly threadbare Lycra for it's full life without partially exposing the delights of your bottom to the rest of the world. Works for me 😉
I should’ve made it clear at the start, I wear baggies over my Lycra… as no one needs to see me in it 😂
So the spot of pee is through Lycra and then into my fox shorts. So the quantity might be a bit bigger than the final layer of clothing shows.