gshepherd

I recently was diagnosed with a UTI at urgent care, which after 2 weeks of antibiotics, the symptoms didn't go away. A followup with my primary care psychician revealed I had an inflamed prostate.

This had happened to me once before without ever being properly diagnosed, and at that time I was riding my mountain bike as my primary means of transportation. I was not wearing padded shorts, and my saddle might not have been the best in terms of protecting my prostate.

This time I was going at it pretty hard in the gym on a stationary bike, where there is no option for the type of saddle, and again I didn't have padded shorts.

Like most people I live somewhere where there is a "season" to ride outdoors, and a "season" where it is just not feasible to get much bike time in outdoors, and I am forced in doors.

I would like to continue being able to ride a stationary indoors during the off season, and I am wondering if anyone has experienced something similar, and has doubled up on shorts.

More importantly can you recommend a combo of shorts to wear when doubling up? Even a single pair of padded shorts can feel very awkward, so I cant even imagine how wearing 2 pairs of padded shorts would feel!

Thanks for reading!

genec

Rather than prostrate, it should be "prostate."

indyfabz

Assuming this isn't a troll thread...I cannot imagine wearing two pair of padded shorts. Sounds most uncomfortable.

TimothyH

Prostatitis is common in men.

Prostatitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Tests, and Treatment

There was a long thread on it here at bikeforums within the past year. Not sure where the thread is or if it will help the OP.


-Tim-

Joe Minton

I have similar problems. I have found that 'noseless" saddles completely solve the problem (for me at least). I use the Adamo "prologue" on both my everyday bike and my off-road bike (Prologue ? ISM).

This saddle removes all pressure on my perineum and I can ride all-day in comfort I urge you to go to both the ISM (Adamo) & Cobb websites and consider what they offer.

Joe

gshepherd

Thanks! Fixed...

gshepherd

It does sound uncomfortable! I had read of at least someone doing this. I am mainly trying to address stationary bikes, it sounds like padded shorts and the proper saddle would alleviate most issues on a normal bike. However, since you dont have option of swapping out a stationary bikes saddle at the gym, I was looking for a solution to that!

gshepherd

Thanks! How severe was your problem if you dont mind me asking? I will have to look into this for my bike.

Leisesturm

There is little excuse for not getting off of the saddle frequently during stationary bike workouts. If that doesn't fix it... recumbent stationary bike? Elliptical trainer? Treadmill?

/thread

JohnDThompson 

I'm not sure that doubled shorts would solve your problem, and suspect it may even exacerbate it. If the prostatitis is due to perineal pressure, double shorts would seem to increase, rather than decrease pressure on the perineum. Instead, you may wish to try a noseless saddle, as suggested above, or perhaps one with a relieved center, like the Brooks "Imperial:"

indyfabz

Alert: Sounds like the OP is talking about riding a stationary bike at a gym where changing the saddle is not an option.

gshepherd

Getting off the bike is a good suggestion and preventitive measure! I have had knee surgery on both knees, the left one twice. Elliptical is supposed to be low impact but it still bothers my knees, as does the recumbent bike for some reason, treadmill obviously bothers them. Stationary bikes and regular bikes do not though.

Fastfingaz

There are discussions on that subject at the 50_65 yrs. Forums with true to life experiences, check them out

TimothyH

I've seen quick releases on stationary bike seatposts.


-Tim-

Dave Cutter

So.... what made you decide that [your urinary tract infection] is/was a cycling/saddle issue.... and not a hydration issue? Or even something else?

I use a cut-out saddle and have annual check-ups. I know my prostate is OK. But I have to make a real effort to be sure I hydrate fully. I hope you get good medical attention for this!

chandltp

Personally, I switched to a recumbent bike. In the winter it's on a trainer in the basement.

BobbyG

If you think padding would help, you could buy a padded gel seat cover (or two) and slip that on the stationary bike seat at the gym as well as wear padded shorts.

kevindsingleton 

More padding probably won't help. Bike saddles want to support your "sit bones". Adding more padding is just more "stuff" to be squished between your soft tissue and the saddle. Your sit bones are still going to sink down until they find something solid that won't move. I have the same problem on the stationary bikes at the Y. They have a relief channel, but they're so soft that it's not really effective. I nearly always wear padded shorts, but I'd prefer a harder saddle.

RonH

Rather than ride an uncomfortable bike at the gym why not buy a trainer to mount YOUR bike on for riding indoors?

BlazingPedals

You mean the 50+ forum. They also talk about it on the Recumbent forum. If the OP is just riding a trainer, he could try a recumbent trainer at his gym - they all have them. If he's doing spin classes, he's stuck with what he's already on. Maybe tilting the nose up will push you back onto the wider part of the saddle? Wearing two pairs of shorts sounds terrible!

Steve B.

Had prostatitis and discomfort for about 2 years. Gave up on a diamond frame bike and went to a recumbent.

That worked to keep me riding, but I never felt all that safe or comfortable, even though it was riding a recliner on wheels. I still have it and will keep using it.

Going to a different saddle helped after those 2 years, which concurrently allowed my prostate to heal and recover. Note that I had been doing many years of 6,000 - 7,000 miles on crappy and cheap saddles, so possibly that was the cause.

A Brooks B17 helped for a while, then and after buying a cheap carbon bike with a Selle San Marco, found a saddle that didn't bother the prostate. That was 15 years ago and no issues since.

In the long run, buying and experimenting with multiple $100 saddles is a cheap solution to keep you riding and fit. Kind of like wondering why all the pro racers use bib shorts, it's beceause these guys ride for hours a day and have figured out what works. Saddles and shoes too.

AlexCyclistRoch

If you are having "prostrate" problems while riding your bike, I would suggest you stop laying on your back while riding, and adopt a common riding posture...

fietsbob

the medical exam for prostate involves poking a rubber gloved finger in my anus to even find it, having it extend outside your pelvis
where it's even possible to sit on, it does sound rather extreme ..

rather past the bike forum support, to help.

Dave Cutter

+1
The "padding" is supposed to isolate any movement between the saddle and your skin. This prevents a rug... or friction burn. The padding in your shorts/tights doesn't protect your soft tissue.

There is also a blood test. You should have both as a base-line.

FBinNY 

IMO - adding padding is going in the wrong direction.

If properly fitted on a saddle at the right angle, your weight is borne on the "sit bones" on the back of the saddle and there's no contact on the nose. When you add padding it allows more settling and you start getting pressure through the pad at the front of the saddle. A bit of padding is fine for comfort, but more only increases pressure where you want none at all.