new saddle?

[Bikedee]

About 5 years ago I got a Trek road bike. It's done 3 RAGBRAIs with me and all the training between. Last year I started getting some major irritation down there. Butter helped some, monistat was better. This year it's worse. What's going on? any wisdom out there? I'd rather not invest several hundred dollars in different saddles until I just land on one. Is it the shorts? Any recommendations?

[debm62]

I'm having the same problem and have posted a couple of questions on this topic. I even contemplated a hornless saddle but the consensus on that idea seems to be pretty much thumbs down from everyone I've talked to. I'm on my third saddle in just over a year (a Terry Butterfly). It's by far the best one I've tried so far, but I'm still having issues. I think part of my problem is the chamois in my bike shorts; I buy good shorts, but the bulkiness of the chamois is really bothersome. Someone recommended tri shorts; thinner pad, not so bulky. I am also going to purchase a pair of SheBeest shorts...the chamois technology sounds like it's superior and in my mind worth a shot. Too bad we have to spend a ton of money experimenting until we find just the right combination. I am also going to do a few adjustments to my handlebar and saddle positioning this weekend; even though I've been through a couple of bike fittings, I still think maybe the stretch forward is creating some of my problems. Let me know if you get it figured out!!!

Debbie

[indysteel]

About 5 years ago I got a Trek road bike. It's done 3 RAGBRAIs with me and all the training between. Last year I started getting some major irritation down there. Butter helped some, monistat was better. This year it's worse. What's going on? any wisdom out there? I'd rather not invest several hundred dollars in different saddles until I just land on one. Is it the shorts? Any recommendations?

Saddles break down over time, so it's possible that you just need a new saddle identical or similar to your old one. How many miles do you think have on the saddle? How many seasons do you have with your shorts (the wear down, too).
I get about 4 to 5k out of my saddles thanks to a bit of extra cushioning and a cut out. When I suddenly start to feel some irritation--and nothing else has changed--I just get a new saddle. Problem solved.

Bur here are a couple of other suggestions. If you're perimenopausal or menopausal, you could be experiencing some drying and thinning of your vulva. You might talk to your doc about it.
Estrogen cream could help.

Have you checked and double checked that your saddle is level and your saddle isn't too high?

Are you having any yeast issues? Sometimes I have to use a bit of apple cider vinegar to keep my pH levels in balance.

[tctrek]

I don't know .. I think after 5 years it is probably the saddle. Is it the one that came with the Trek? A Bontrager? I know my Trek came with a nicely padded Bontrager that promptly gave me every kind of pain I could imagine. I replaced it with a Selle San Marco Glamour Aspide... it's less than $100 and a nice saddle.

[kenyonchris]

If your saddle is comfortable otherwise, you might try Preparation H. I spend 12 hours in the (horse) saddle, and, even though it is a good saddle, with heat and friction rubbing happens. Preparation H is better than any chamois cream I have tried, and all of us mounted officers use it. The trick is to use it before you chafe, so you might heal first, then try it out.

[Bikedee]

Thanks everyone. Good suggestions, all. First will check angle, but I suspect that it's time for a new saddle. My shorts are worn, other conversations recommend sheebeast, will try. And lastly, some things about aging are great. Exercise is keeping the estrogen up some, but I guess it's not going to last forever. Don't want to do HRT, so.....

thanks again!

[Crankin]

You don't have to do HRT to solve the specific problem you describe.
I got an E-String, which delivers 2mg of estrogen over a 3 month period, specifically to the targeted area. It is used for vaginal thinning and dryness issues and according to my doctor, even patients who have had cancer are allowed to use it. Of course, some estrogen does get into your system, but very little in the scheme of things. In fact, it takes almost the whole first 3 months for the tissue to build up. You pop a new one in every three months.