Ouch - lady bits!

HeatherG

So I've been out on my bike a few times (I recently posted about some knee pain and thanks to all of your replies - this appears to be better, certainly for the time being). Now, yesterday a whole new problem came about.
I went out for the first time in the rain (not that I think this is of relevance) and did just over 5.5 miles. I was wearing proper cycle gear, inc new padded shorts, but have very sore 'lady bits' now. Up to this point, my bike has been really comfortable and to be honest, I didn't even have any pain whilst on the bike.
It's definitely not on my sit bones - it's a different pain and there is some swelling where there should not be some swelling, trust me :oops: !
I'm wondering if the new cycling shorts were too padded and added to the irritation and really hoping no one suggests getting a new saddle (as mentioned, no probs up to now with it).
Need to start cycling to work (about 9 miles) towards the end of next week so want to try and get this sorted out soonish.

janetthompson

Silly question, but you weren't wearing underwear under your shorts were you? I learned the hard way that this can cause sores (ahem) down there.
If it persists, see a doctor - they should be able to tell you what's wrong and the best way to deal with it.
Also, I find chamois cream in the crevice between the top of my thigh and my undercarriage prevents too much rubbing...

John.T

The rain could well be relevent. Do you have mudguards. If not things get a bit wet down there and things will chafe. Cream will help.

HeatherG

Not a silly question - quite valid! You're right, I was wearing underwear, but worse then that, as it was 'ladies week' there was also a further layer 'down there'!
I'm assuming that this was the problem. I'll try the chamois cream thing too.
Thanks!

dg74

that's quite enough of that, thank you.

I was just about to have a bacon sarnie with tomato sauce, not anymore though

reevsy

HeatherG wrote:

Not a silly question - quite valid! You're right, I was wearing underwear, but worse then that, as it was 'ladies week' there was also a further layer 'down there'!
I'm assuming that this was the problem. I'll try the chamois cream thing too.
Thanks!

Could you not work out why you were sore? Jeez...

Bunneh

Chamois cream is awesome, it's one of the best things you can purchase. I rub some on the chamois itself and then on the area down south to cover all the rubbing areas, yes it cold but once you get riding you notice a difference. When you get back from your rides have a bath with some salt in the water - it helps heal up any rubbed areas (old remedies are the best).

carrock

HeatherG wrote:

So I've been out on my bike a few times (I recently posted about some knee pain and thanks to all of your replies - this appears to be better, certainly for the time being). Now, yesterday a whole new problem came about.
I went out for the first time in the rain (not that I think this is of relevance) and did just over 5.5 miles. I was wearing proper cycle gear, inc new padded shorts, but have very sore 'lady bits' now. Up to this point, my bike has been really comfortable and to be honest, I didn't even have any pain whilst on the bike.
It's definitely not on my sit bones - it's a different pain and there is some swelling where there should not be some swelling, trust me :oops: !
I'm wondering if the new cycling shorts were too padded and added to the irritation and really hoping no one suggests getting a new saddle (as mentioned, no probs up to now with it).
Need to start cycling to work (about 9 miles) towards the end of next week so want to try and get this sorted out soonish.

Regardless of gender, this seems just a matter of getting some more miles in and toughening up down there- journeys of 5 mile should NOT make you sore down there at all

I'm assuming you're a fairly new rider- hopefully you've bought decent padded shorts, and not £5 Aldi specials. £30 really would get you something comfortable- my wife was complaining of sore undecarriage on the C2c but bought some good padded shorts on day2 and all was fine

Also, waxing or shaving in that area may make irritation and soreness worse so may be worth looking at as a contributing factor

stokepa31

so its not just red bull that gives you wings then!!

seriously though, lose the underwear and use the chamois cream. I use Assos and it is well worth the price. How this would work during ladies week is something ill leave to a lady to answer!!

carrock

I'm not familair with the phrase " ladies week " and at first assumed it was something to do with wearing big hats at Ascot... :shock:

zummerzet-lou

You might also want to look at the saddle angle - if you are cycling in quite a low position, you might want to drop the nose of your saddle a tad to take some of the pressure off.

LittleB0b

The rain almost certainly was a factor - most wet fabric will chaffe - either rain or sweat - chamois cream for this.

and for that time of the month either go tampons and tuck the sting inside - or mooncup which has no external bits.

oh and comando all the way, baby!

rob0070

I've heard of ladies night( o what a night ) !!!!!! Not week though ????

I always cover my bits in cream, even when I dont ride !!!!

Velonutter

A Few things here, I have just built up a bike for my daughter and she complained of the same, things to check: -

1. Is the saddle Women Specific? Women's saddles are typically a couple of cm's shorter and wider, ordered a Charge Ladle for her.

2. Ladies usually point the saddle slightly downward, hardly perceptible but deffo downwards.

3. Deffo no knickers.

4. Until you start riding distance over 30 miles then you should really not need and Assos cream, if you do then your bike fit is not correct, check the height of your saddle and the forward and aft position.

5. I told my daughter not to buy cheap crap shorts and she did and then wondered why she hurt, dittch the cheap Lidl or Aldi shorts, get some quality ones, you don't need to pay for Assos but make sure they are reputable.

6. Join a local cycling club and got to the members night and have a chat with the other females.

Hope this helps.

Bunneh

Aye quality shorts do make a difference. If you look around you can find some decent deals on gear at LBSs, and if you're nice and fluttery eyeing at the salesman you may get a discount; works for me every time!

Anonymous

A friend on here has asked me to ask you to post come pictures of your injury, from a purely medical perspective, you understand. If this offends I will go and hit my, erm, friend.

ellie.velo

Try to get shorts with no stitching in the chamois, pearl izumi did some a while back.

You may need to try a different saddle, I've had a few over the years- and oddly I find a mens saddle the most comfortable!

Mad Roadie

John.T wrote:

The rain could well be relevent. Do you have mudguards. If not things get a bit wet down there and things will chafe. Cream will help.

I have been doing it wrong all these years! I just thought it was cream you put in your shorts not a mudguard to directly protect lady bits - wont it chafe?

John.T

Dooooh. :roll:

mrushton

My partner spent a lot of time and money getting this issue sorted so here is what worked for her. She commutes 25 miles a day most days and has done numerous audaxes up to 600km and despite being 20 weeks pregnant outcycled/outclimbed some guys in Spain last week over an 18km climb and was doing 60km a day. Forget the usual macho 'toughen up' talk, she will say that male riders can sit on their b****x for a few miles and see if that works.

So, she wears Assos womens shorts/tights preferring the older S2 pad. She uses Udderly Smooth chamois cream and uses a Selle Anatomica leather saddle on her 4 bikes incl. her Track bike. She uses bikes with a longer head tube which raises her position and takes the pressure off the pubic bone and lets her sit on her sit bones (male/female skeleton is different).

A saddle with a slot will help you but remember that padding may not as you sink into the padding, she prefers leather because it acts more like a hammock.