billyO13

Hello all. Looking for opinions/advice from those of you with more time on the bike than me.
Due to occasional seizures, a little over a month ago, I made the transition to being a full time bike commuter because driving a 1-ton diesel in now a bad idea and unsafe for the public. In the past couple of weeks, I've noticed some bloody stools and some irritation/inflammation around my perineal area, which I'm pretty sure is due to irritation from riding 10-20 miles a few days a week running errands.
I'm wondering what I need to change, (1) my saddle position; (2) the saddle itself; or (3) my attire?
(1) - In the past week, I've started playing around with my seat position, which I'm pretty sure this is the main culprit as the nose seemed too high once I started paying attention to it.
How long should I give each new seat setting before trying to adjust again?
(2) - My saddle is just the basic saddle that came with the used Giant Farrago I bought.
Am I wasting time playing around with positioning and should I go right to a better saddle designed to prevent this problem?
(3) - I also work as a metalworker/blacksmith and most of my commuting lately has been in Carhartts. I also (not to get too personal here, but it is relevant for the current discussion) do not like wearing underwear/long johns/tights/biking shorts etc.
Should I start by biting the bullet and getting some biking shorts with padding in that area?

Thanks

(PS-I've been a medical practitioner treating patients for the past 25 years, so I don't need any advice to go see a doctor to make sure it's nothing more serious)

jadocs

I can see the connection to blood, swelling on private parts as it relates to saddles, but I don't see a connection to bloody stools (unless hemorrhoids)? Maybe I'm wrong.

indyfabz

Yeah. I see blood on TP or a few drops in the bowl while dropping a deuce as one thing and blood mixed in with feces something totally different. I have had irritation possibly due to riding that has caused the former. Being on blood thinners since 1990, If I were to experience the latter it would be off the hospital for me.

Juan Foote

Just to define the situation a little better.

If you have blood entering your 'fecal stream' from up inside you, your bowel movement will be very dark, almost black.
If you are seeing red blood ON your stool, it is most likely that you are irritating your hemorrhoids.

I have experienced both hemorrhoid irritation, as well as prostrate irritation both as a result of poor saddle fit as well as from wearing cycling shorts. In my own case I found that buying a Brooks saddle (Imperial for me) and wearing loose shorts helped immensely with (most of) the situation. My biggest issue now is the lack of testicular retention that goes away when you aren't wearing cycling specific shorts. I am currently experimenting with various fits of briefs to help alleviate that issue.

My suggestion to you is to seek out a good cycling shop in the area that can assist you with saddle fit. Try the shorts with a good chamois as well, could help. Might also adjust your seating positioning and handlebar height, as you well could be riding with too much of your weight on your backside.

Good luck

Leisesturm

Really? Cuz that is exactly what I was going to suggest ... smh

Edit: Blacksmith? 'Medical Practitioner'?

billyO13

It's all connected. Hemorrhoids is a term used generally used to identify irritation/inflammation of the rectal area. It's just like getting a new pair of shoes, you can have sore toes for a few days until either (a) the shoe "breaks in" and fits your foot better, (b) you build up enough callouses on the area that's rubbing so that the rubbing doesn't progress to inflammation, or (c) you give up and get a different pair of shoes.

Leisesturm

No, Hemorrhoids is not a term used generally. It is a specific condition of having varicose veins around the anal sphincter. A new pair of shoes (saddle) will not address the underlying cause nor can it make any difference. Blood from hemorrhoids would be seen on clothing not in stool. Blood in stool is a big deal regardless of the cause.

Juan Foote

Well, maybe.

The saddle, or clothing choice could be causing the 'roids/irritation. Just having them doesn't specifically mean you will be bleeding from them. The action of going "stool" could then be causing the bleeding due to a variety of possibilities.

jadocs

Yes, you are probably chaffing pretty bad down there if you are riding in Carhartts.

TakingMyTime

I guess I'll tell you what you want to hear...
Start experimenting with saddle position and possibly some padded shorts. I'm sure that's it.

billyO13

I was talking about the general public using the term loosely.
To be clear, I don't have hemorrhoids, have no history of hemorrhoids in either myself or my family. The blood is only noticed on the paper from wiping after a bowel movement. It is external bleeding (bright red) and not from higher up in the fecal tract which tends to be darker red.

jadocs

That just sounds like an XL bowel movement. I have those from time to time LOL.

billyO13

Career change. Time to express my artistic side...(and tired of dealing with private insurance companies).

What I want to hear is the right answer, so thanks!

Juan Foote

Just as a side note to this discussion. If you are having seizures you might consider rethinking riding a DF bicycle. At the very least I hope you are wearing proper protective gear and a helmet. You seize out at speed and you very well could severely injure yourself or die.

livedarklions

A friend of mine who looks exactly like me and has the same name and birthdate got proctitis while riding, which was quite nasty and involved a lot of bright red bleeding when I, I mean he, had a BM. It was a really alarming symptom where the bowl was actually quite red from the bowl. (I'll spare everyone a more graphic description). Whether the ulceration was caused by bicycling or was just coincidence is not something I can answer. It was, however, cleared up quite quickly with the use of Canasa suppositories, which require a prescription.

I've, I mean he's had hemorrhoids as well, and this was nothing like that at all. Much as I hate to agree with Leisesturm , it doesn't really sound like you're all that expert in this area.

I have to admit, I'm confused--what kind of "medical practitioner" goes to an internet biking forum for medical advice? Obviously, you can't properly examine yourself, so yeah, go to a doctor for cryin' out loud.

Juan Foote

My bet would be this fellow was experiencing symptoms concurrent with a couple of STD's.

livedarklions

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20376933

Koyote

OP: No offense to your medical skills, but if you are diagnosing yourself, you have an idiot for a patient. (I mean that in the most caring way possible. ) While it might merely be superficial irritation, bloody stool may be a symptom of something much worse such as colon cancer.

Work on your saddle issues, but also go see a physician.

Paul Barnard

Could it be warts rupturing?

TakingMyTime

Ok, in all seriousness, get a mirror. If there are visible abrasions or lesions I would start with a pair of padded riding shorts. If there isn't, go see a doctor.

shelbyfv

Another vote for STDs, probably caught from the saddle of the used bike. Really, who knows where it's been. My confidence in "medical practitioners" has taken a hit

pdlamb

Could the underlying cause be swelling and irritation from around the rectum, rather than hemorrhoids? If so, applying some chamois cream to the affected area might be a good start. Or apply Bag Balm or diaper rash ointment after a shower or bath.

StanSeven

I cleaned up a couple posts. You all know political content doesn’t belong here. When it starts, threads only go downhill.

Fastfingaz

He could have at least added,,,,,,,,, asking for a friend.......

Fastfingaz

ok sir you didn't include your age now I say this only because we have a subforum that is designed by or for older cyclists let's say 65 and over there they also so discuss subjects such as what you ask, men who are experiencing ailments and also solutions and cures maybe there someone has experienced similar ailment and can give an opinion.....