Concept2 Forum

Hello new aged rower here with a personal question.

Have any of the older guys out there ever experienced prostate problems (Or passing water) caused by rowing.


I'm hoping its nothing to do with rowing, but it may be common to those of you that are using new muscles and body parts like me.

thanks in advance.

Sometimes I think that I am the only rower to ever have a prostate problem. And the truth is I'm not sure it (the prostate problem) is related to rowing. My problem my not involve the prostate at all. And I'm not all the old (48).

Before I started rowing, I had and enlarged prostate - but not bad enough to worry about according to my doctor. Way back (age 35 or so), I had an inflammation of my urethra, and took antibiotics and did some other stuff to get it under control. I always wondered of the enlarged prostate was related.

About two years ago, I used a boat with a particularly uncomfortable seat, and started having problems again - similar to the inflamation of the urethra. I went to a urologist and took some antibiotics and the urologist declared the prostatitus to be cured. But the symptoms persisted and I did another round of antibiotics and took some other pills. The doctor couldn't figure out why I was still in pain. In the meantime, I figured out that sitting could be extremely uncomfortable and did everything I could to avoid pressure on my perinium. I made a seat pad for my boat with a cut out. I laid on the sofa in the evenings etc. And eventually got better. My conclusion was that I smashed something tender with that uncomfortable seat and then I kept it inflamed every time I sat down.

Late this summer, the symptoms came back. This time from using my erg. The raised portion at the front of the seat applied enough pressure to inflame what ever it was that was inflamed. So I got out my seat pad and used it when ever I rowed, and when ever else I was sitting in a chair that caused discomfort. And, I found that my choice of underwear made a big difference. Contrary to what my doctor told me long ago, I am wearing fairly tight undies that don't bunch up and keep everything pretty much in place, which minimizes pressure.

My doctor told me that he had never heard of rowing being associated with prostate or perinium problems. After many internet searches, I did find one reference that said that made a connection, and I think that it said that pressure from sitting on the seat could pinch something.

My theory is that rowing and erging can cause some sort of urelogical problem, but those who have an anatomy that makes them susceptible find the seat to be uncomfortable enough from the very beginning that they give up on the sport right away.

ping

Hawnet,

With regards to your problem. Just to be on the safe side, have you seen your family doctor or a urologist?

Yours,

Philip

Coincidentally my doc told me this week to leave off erging for a few days before going for my annyual psa test. Seems like it's a sensitive little organ that even minor bumps/squeezes can trigger an increase in the antigen levels being released. Jack.

Johnac

Good luck on the digital exam. However, one word of warning when the doco's lubing up to his armpit - be afraid, be very afraid!

I had my prostate whipped out two years ago.

Cheers,

Philip

My Uro told me it's a good thing I find the examination so unpleasant, otherwise I would come to see him more often...

My prostate is the size of a grapefruit! Really! 260cc's. However, I have not any discomfort when rowing. And I wear loose fitting boxer shorts when rowing.

Marvin