Hi
A quick note about how my prostate was adversely affected by cycling (albeit in unusual circumstance) and caused me injury, pain and off-bike time. I discussed the sequence of events with my urologist but I am not going to try to use medical terms. According to the urologist, the sequence was typical of cyclists (surprising ? he should know).
Sequence:
1. Started LEJOG 10 day.
2. Day 3, saddle sore due to rogue shorts.
3. Continued (shifted my weight on the saddle to put less weight on the saddle sores but more weight on the perineum).
4. Day 6, infection (I though it was a virus at the time - I didn't have the classic symptoms of a UTI). At the end of the day, couldn't even look at a bike never mind ride. Also, had difficulty weeing, though not painful at that time it was distressing.
5. Day 7, caught train home.
6. In the night of Day 7, could not wee at all. Had to have catheter fitted as an emergency. Don't go there !
7. Six days later, asked them to remove the catheter. The nurses were not pleased - but it turned out to be the right thing to do. In this time, the NHS did not permit me to see a doctor never mind a urologist !
8. Could wee ok, though a bit weaker than normal, but after 2 - 3 days got the classic symptoms of a UTI, this infection was caused by the catheter.
9. First batch of antibiotics failed.
10. Now on different antibiotics, I think they are working.
Between 9. and 10., I was finally permitted to see a urologist. His explanation:
Pressure on the perineum due to shifting my weight forward to avoid the saddle sore, caused my prostate to enlarge, which constricted the urethra and prevented the bladder from emptying, allowing in bacteria which caused the infection (I think though, the infection might actually have been in the blood caused directly by the saddle sore).
My prostate has been examined after the event and is now fine.
Lessons learned:
1. If any hint of prostate problem, do not ride a bike without a quality prostate-friendly saddle (eg Selle Italia SLR Superflow ?).
2. Do not get on a bike without quality, expensive shorts.
3. S-works boingy seatpin and redshift boingy stem, may help a bit, are on trial.
4. Be very circumspect about any reduced wee flow. Stop cycling, and put things right !
A quick note about how my prostate was adversely affected by cycling (albeit in unusual circumstance) and caused me injury, pain and off-bike time. I discussed the sequence of events with my urologist but I am not going to try to use medical terms. According to the urologist, the sequence was typical of cyclists (surprising ? he should know).
Sequence:
1. Started LEJOG 10 day.
2. Day 3, saddle sore due to rogue shorts.
3. Continued (shifted my weight on the saddle to put less weight on the saddle sores but more weight on the perineum).
4. Day 6, infection (I though it was a virus at the time - I didn't have the classic symptoms of a UTI). At the end of the day, couldn't even look at a bike never mind ride. Also, had difficulty weeing, though not painful at that time it was distressing.
5. Day 7, caught train home.
6. In the night of Day 7, could not wee at all. Had to have catheter fitted as an emergency. Don't go there !
7. Six days later, asked them to remove the catheter. The nurses were not pleased - but it turned out to be the right thing to do. In this time, the NHS did not permit me to see a doctor never mind a urologist !
8. Could wee ok, though a bit weaker than normal, but after 2 - 3 days got the classic symptoms of a UTI, this infection was caused by the catheter.
9. First batch of antibiotics failed.
10. Now on different antibiotics, I think they are working.
Between 9. and 10., I was finally permitted to see a urologist. His explanation:
Pressure on the perineum due to shifting my weight forward to avoid the saddle sore, caused my prostate to enlarge, which constricted the urethra and prevented the bladder from emptying, allowing in bacteria which caused the infection (I think though, the infection might actually have been in the blood caused directly by the saddle sore).
My prostate has been examined after the event and is now fine.
Lessons learned:
1. If any hint of prostate problem, do not ride a bike without a quality prostate-friendly saddle (eg Selle Italia SLR Superflow ?).
2. Do not get on a bike without quality, expensive shorts.
3. S-works boingy seatpin and redshift boingy stem, may help a bit, are on trial.
4. Be very circumspect about any reduced wee flow. Stop cycling, and put things right !